Joshua:
While I agree backing up any changing file may seem risky, the ability to
utilize the Lotus Notes Connect agent on open, in-use NOF files works very
well. I have thoroughly tested the use of the Connect agent on open mail
files and have not received a single error in backing them up or restoring
single documents. The ability for the agent to backup a NOF file that is
being replicated is when Lotus Notes "Locks" the NOF file and the agent will
have to skip it. The is recognized by IBM and there recommendation is to
schedule backups around replication times ( I know easier said then done).
I think the explanation for a power surge failure ( or something similar)
would probably start with the discussion of why the multiple hardware
protection levels ( Raid sets, dual controllers, mirrored partitions, etc..)
failed. If a backup product is not able to safely and securely depend on the
many copies of backed up data to be corrupt free , then the backup product
should be reviewed and replaced. I have experienced ADSM to not only
securely restore the single data file but handle the complete data set
automatically and absolutely effortlessly in the large data environment's as
well as the small. As with ever data Storage solution on the market, they
can only perform as good as there infrastructure and hardware will allow,
backing up 800 gigs of changed data on a daily basis is going to need a very
"Bleeding edge" hardware environment before ADSM is ever concerned with
doing it's job.
John Stephens
Storage Solutions Specialists, Inc.
http://www.Storsol.com
Stephens AT Storsol DOT com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU]On Behalf Of
> Joshua Bassi
> Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 7:28 PM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: FW: Any NT Lotus Agent shops true success stories?
>
>
> Kelly,
>
> Personally I would not recommend backing up an open NSF file that is being
> changed. I am much too conservative for that. I have no doubt that you
> were able to restore NSF files successfully, but what about a Notes
> environment with thousands of users and your entire disk array had a power
> surge (or something similar) and you had to restore thousands of
> users. Yes
> it would sure simplify things, but you are not 100% guaranteed
> that you can
> restore those flat files in the event your (let's say 2) copies are both
> corrupted. We all know what would happen if you tried to explain
> to the CEO
> what happened to his mail file :-)
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Joshua Bassi E-mail: jbassi AT gloryworks DOT
> com
> Storage Management Team Lead Cellular/VM: (408) 836-7147
> Dickens Services Group Internet: www.TeamDSG.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU] On Behalf
> Of
> Kelly J. Lipp
> Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 3:38 PM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: Re: Any NT Lotus Agent shops true success stories?
>
>
> We've worked with a number of customers using the agent. Wait for John
> Stephens' response to this.
>
> Re. number 1) below. You do not need to actually stop the server to use
> the ba client to backup everything once per week. Set you management
> class/backup copygroup to dynamic, and back it up while running. This
> works fine, with the exception that notes that are "saved" while
> the backup
> is occurring might not be in a usable state. This is fixed the next time
> the agent is run. The .nsf file is corrupt, only the note that underwent
> change during the backup. I recommend you prove this to yourself
> with your
> customer before recommending it as gospel. We tested it and didn't have
> any problems.
>
> 800 GB is way too much data, unless you bring multiple streams
> and multiple
> network paths to bear on the problem. Then, perhaps, you can get the
> elapsed backup time down to something reasonable.
>
> Backup of Lotus notes is not the real problem in any event. Lots of ways
> to do that. The real problem is restoring. Single mail messages or a
> single database shouldn't pose much of a problem either. However, a large
> restore, lots of databases and lots of notes with long intervals
> between ba
> backups, will be problematic. The good news, with notes replication and
> other techniques, you probably don't need to do that very often, if ever.
> It needs to be considered, though, or you're not really doing your job.
>
>
>
> Kelly J. Lipp
> Storage Solutions Specialists, Inc.
> www.storsol.com
> lipp AT storsol DOT com
> (719)531-5926
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joshua Bassi
> Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 4:32 PM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: Any NT Lotus Agent shops true success stories?
>
> ADSMers,
>
> I have a customer who would like to talk with a shop that is very
> satisfied
> with the NT Lotus Agent backup strategy they are using. My customer is
> very
> concerned that they are on the "bleeding edge" and that nobody else is
> using
> the NT Notes agent in a production environment.
>
> I have recommended to the customer that they backup their data one of two
> ways:
>
> 1) bring down the Notes servers once a week to backup all the NSF files
> using the native b-a client, then during the week use the connect agent to
> backup all new or changed documents,
>
> or
>
> 2) bring down the Notes servers every night and use the b-a client to
> backup
> all the NSF files and do not use the Notes agent. The only reason they
> would possibly do this is because of the sheer volume of data they that we
> are talking about (800GB on one NT server) and the fact that since this is
> a
> replication server they have the luxury of bringing down the server at
> will.
>
> When my customer asked me to inquire about other shops satisfaction using
> the NT Notes agent I told them that I try and find another customer for
> them
> to talk to. Is anybody willing to talk briefly to the manager in
> charge of
> this project? If not, can somebody out there using the NT Notes
> agent send
> me an email indicating you are satisfied with using the agent in a
> production environment? Or if dissatisfied, email that to me.
>
> You can email me via the list or privately if you like.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Joshua Bassi E-mail: jbassi AT gloryworks DOT
> com
> Storage Management Team Lead Cellular/VM: (408) 836-7147
> Dickens Services Group Internet: www.TeamDSG.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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