Backup server multiple sets recyling

[tkj]

Hi.

 

Retrospect Workgroup 5.1 on OS X 10.2.8.

Overland LXL, 10-tape loader

15 PowerBook clients.

 

The backup server script is set to run 24/7 with two sets (A and as destinations.

As I see it it automatically alternates between the two sets for each client.

 

The question in short:

How do I recycle a backup set without risking erasing the most recent backup for a user?

 

The problem as I see it is:

 

Day 1:

Client1: Normal backup to set A

Client2: Normal backup to set A

Client3: Normal backup to set B

 

Day 2:

Client1: Normal backup to set B

Client2: Normal backup to set B

Client3: Normal backup to set A

 

Day 3:

(backupset A set to Recycle)

Client1: Recycle backup to set A

 

At this time have we not lost the backup for Client3 on Day 2?

 

Am I mistaken, is the schedule flawed or is there a workaround?

 

regards

 

Thomas

[natew]

Hi

 

 

 

I think the best way to handle this is with a total of 3 different scripts:

 

 

 

Backup server script to set A that runs Mon, Wed, Fri

 

Backup server script to set B that runs Tues, Thurs

 

Backup script that runs recycle backups on each set on the appropriate days.

 

 

 

Standard backup scripts will run at thier scheduled time even when backup server is active so you don't have to worry about making schedule changes for it.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Nate

[tkj]

Hi Nate.

 

Thank you for your answer.

 

The solution is better than the current, I agree.

 

But it still does not solve the underlying problem: we do not know which set contains the most recent backup for a given user.

 

If for any reason a user misses the scheduled day for backup to set A then his/hers most recent backup is on set B.

If we recycle set B assuming everybody where present on the network for enough time to get backed up to set A we loose the most recent backup of that user.

 

If our strategy is to have the users backed up every day thus not loosing more than one days worth of data and have the sets recycle every 4 weeks, how can we accomplish this using backup server scripts?

 

What we are looking for is the equivalent of Strategy 3 in the User Manual.

 

Regards

 

T.