We use SQL BackTrack for Informix and my experience is idential with Becky's...
sent her comments to my co-workers and they got a good chuckle... The first time
I called BMC for support, the person who was working the problem claimed they
had never heard of this product.... too many acquisitions too fast and too few
users (calls to their help people) add up to dismal support. Their documentation
for V 3.0 was mostly incorrect as well... Still haven't finished upgrading from
2.1 to 3.0 because
I can't get expiration to work....

George Lesho
Storage/System Admin
AFC Enterprises





Larry Girardi <Larry.Girardi AT TRAVELERS DOT COM> on 03/09/2001 01:10:12 PM

Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>

To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
cc:    (bcc: George Lesho/Partners/AFC)
Fax to:
Subject:  Re: SQL-Backtrack OBSI Module (via TSM API) for Oracle -versus- T
      SM TDP for Oracle



Becky,

Thank you!   That is what I needed (the straight poop!).

Does anyone have a differing opinion or additional experience?

Thanks again,  Larry






"Davidson, Becky" <Becky.Davidson AT EGR DOT COM> on 03/09/2001 12:36:57 PM

Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>

To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU

cc:    (bcc: Larry Girardi/IS/Travelers)
Subject:  Re: SQL-Backtrack OBSI Module (via TSM API) for Oracle -versus- T SM
      TDP for Oracle




We are currently using SQL Backtrack on our production database and TDP for
SAP R/3 on development systems migrating to TDP on all.

In answer to your questions
1) Yes SQL Backtrack goes directly into TSM
2) Yes you can do a hot backup.  We do a 1 T database hot every night
3) Hate it.  We have problems with just about everything with it.  Setting
it up is an issue.  Upgrading versions has caused us problems.  Getting
support has caused us major problems because there is a tendency to not
fully look into the problem and just immediately blame it on TSM.  If there
is a tape error it does not retry very well and the entire backup fails.  We
have had problems with SQL Backtrack doing it's own expiration.  The
licensing scheme is done on the size of your database.  I suppose that is ok
if your database doesn't grow much but ours does so you have to get a
license at 250, 500, 750, 1200 which of course costs significantly more.
For us financially TDP is the better solution.  The installation is easier
and support has been better.  We have also had fewer problems with it.  Then
again we are also using TDP for SAP R/3 so I am not sure if TDP for Oracle
is better or worse.

That's my .02
Becky Davidson
Data Manager/AIX Administrator
EDS/Earthgrains
voice: 314-259-7589
fax: 314-877-8589
email: davidsbx AT egr DOT com