Tim,

We only do incremental backups.  The chances of a backup file remaining
for life on the same tape are fairly low.  As backups expire and tape
utilization decreases, the tapes are reclaimed and the files moved to
another tapes.  Also, if you use copy pools (highly recommended) you can
easily restore a local volume that may have become corrupted.  Another
thing that some people do, and I intend to implement sometime soon, is
to have a script that will issue move data commands on tapes that
haven't been referenced in a while.  We've been using ADSM for a couple
of years now, and although we've had some tapes go bad we haven't lost a
backup file yet.

I hope this relieves your concerns.

Tina Hilton

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim Rushforth [SMTP:trushfor AT CITYGW.CITY.WINNIPEG.MB DOT CA]
> Sent: Thursday, June 11, 1998 1:14 PM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      ADSM Paradigm
>
> We are about to Trial ADSM and I am struggling with the ADSM Paradigm
> of "incremental backup forevever".
>
> I understand the concepts of ADSM and how this is possible.  One of my
> concens would be relying on only one copy of a file on tape with this
> apporach.
>
> I am interested in how current users of ADSM perform their backups.
>
> Do you do any full backups?
> If so, do you route these backups to different tapes?
> etc.
>
> Thanks for any information.
>
> Tim Rushforth
> City of Winnipeg
> trushfor AT city.winnipeg.mb DOT ca