Open File Backup

[cmcfarling]

Is the Open File Backup add-on required to backup open files when using Multi Server on Windows? For example, if Multi Server is installed on a Windows 2008 server, is the Open File backup license required in order to create a full back of the local drive that would be useful for disaster recovery?

[Lennart_T]

That depends on what else is running, besides Retrospect.

 

If you only run Retrospect, I would say: "No, it is not required".

[cmcfarling]

So more specifically. Does Multi Server utilize VSS when doing a backup if the Open File Backup add-on is not active? I tested this and a ton of required system files were not backed up due to the "sharing violation" error. Below are a few lines from the log. Wouldn't there be no sharing violation errors if VSS was being used?

 

 

File "C:\Boot\BCD": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\Boot\BCD.LOG": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\System Volume Information\DFSR\FileIDTable_2": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\System Volume Information\DFSR\SimilarityTable_2": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\System Volume Information\DFSR\database_D8A8_B3A8_A8B3_8392\dfsr.db": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\System Volume Information\DFSR\database_D8A8_B3A8_A8B3_8392\fsr.log": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\System Volume Information\DFSR\database_D8A8_B3A8_A8B3_8392\tmp.edb": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\Users\admin\NTUSER.DAT": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\Users\admin\ntuser.dat.LOG1": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)
File "C:\Users\admin\ntuser.dat.LOG2": can't read, error -1020 (sharing violation)

[mbennett]

Yes it's required, unless you can figure out a way to stop all running and open Windows O/S programs while making a backup at the same time. It takes the Open File option to properly utilize the VSS service.

 

The good news is there are now three upgrades available on the Retrospect price list and at least when I evaluated the prices they give you a substantial discount. All three of them provide both the Open File and Dissimilar Hardware options bundled with an ASM renewal, depending on the exact server configuration you originally installed. Contact Retrospect or a dealer.

 

I will never sell a Server level program again without the Open File option included.