Simon,

we also have the standard to keep all personnal data centralized.
Each user having a PC can save his data on a Novell volume (X:). The files
that have to be shared with other people can be kept on another Novel volume
(T:). These Novell servers will once migrate into NT servers.
It is the user's responsability to backup his C: drive (floppies, ZIP or
JAZZ).
***
But now we have the laptop ones! As these users do travel, they have to have
files on the local C: drive.

For them, we offer centralized backup with ADSM.

We have defined special storage pool on disc + separate storage pool on
Magstar tapes (no collocation! )
We keep 2 versions of each file, the retain only being 365 days.

ADSM has been installed on the network, no code on the laptop. The user
start a menu called "User's data backup" in the Network Programm menu in
Win95. This opens a DOS windows and start an " incr C:\Data".

We only backup C:\Data plus a few files like profiles or Internet favorites.

Here is the dsm.opt stored on the Novell server:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
domain c:
Exclude "*:\...\EA DATA. SF"
Exclude *:\...\pagefile.sys
Exclude *:\IBMBIO.COM
Exclude *:\IBMDOS.COM
Exclude *:\MSDOS.SYS
Exclude *:\IO.SYS
Exclude *:\...\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\*.*
Exclude *:\...\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\...\*
Exclude.dir '?:\...\Temporary Internet Files'
Exclude.dir '?:\...\Temp'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Central'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Dosappl'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Novell'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Program Files'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Symantec'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Tools'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Win16app'
Exclude.dir 'C:\Win32app'

backupregistry no
tcpserveraddress xxxxxx
tcpport 20nnn
passwordaccess generate
useunicodefilenames no
language ameng
errorlogretention 5,d
schedlogretention 5,d

 Test ExcludeNetworkFS,  ExcludeRemovableFS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To force some options, we have following option set:

Option Set - Properties
-----------------------
Option Set Name                          : OPTSET_WIN95
Option Set Name                          : OPTSET_WIN95
Description                              : Options stations Win95
Last updated by                          : RLAMBEL
Option Sets
-----------
Option Name       Seq. Number  Overridable  Option Value
Option Name       Seq. Number  Overridable  Option Value

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
----
CHANGINGRETRIES   0            No           2
CHANGINGRETRIES   0            No           2

INCLEXCL          0            No           Exclude ?:\...\*

INCLEXCL          1            No           Include C:\Data\...\*

INCLEXCL          2            No           Include C:\Windows\Outlprnt

INCLEXCL          3            No           Include C:\Windows\*.fav

INCLEXCL          4            No           Include C:\Windows\*.pcb

INCLEXCL          5            No           Include C:\Windows\*.xlb

INCLEXCL          6            No           Exclude C:\Data\...\*.ost

INCLEXCL          7            No           Include
C:\Windows\Favorites\...\*
QUERYSCHEDPERIOD  0            No           6

SCROLLPROMPT      0            No           yes

TXNBYTELIMIT      0            No           25600

VERBOSE           0            No           yes

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course some procedures must be implemented to manage changes. Every new
laptop installation or change are made by one of our technician. After the
change, he makes a call to the security people to add or modify the specific
node in the adsm server tables. A standard password is centrally defined and
the option Force password reset is used. Password generate is used. This is
very nice for the user who do not have to remember any password!

I hope this helps you. Please make a call if you need more info...

Rene Lambelet
Nestec SA - 55, Av. Nestle - CH-1800 Vevey
Tel: ++41'21'924'35'43 / Fax: ++41'21'924'45'89
E-Mail: rene.lambelet AT nestle DOT com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simon Watson [SMTP:simon.s.watson AT SHELL.COM DOT BN]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 3:50 AM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      PC Backups
>
> We are (very) successfully backing up UNIX and NT Servers with ADSM (on
> AIX, 3494 & 3590).
>
> We are looking into the possibility of backing up a number (approx
> 1,000) of the NT PCs around the organisation which have all this disk
> space on them which people seem to like to use, instead of the central
> LAN servers.  The corporate policy has always been that if it is
> important then store it centrally.  This policy is breaking down
> somewhat with the amount of data people want to keep and the already
> available disk space on their local PC, which is free.  The only snag
> is there is no proper backup solution in place.
>
> I imagine many other larger organisations have struggled with this.  Do
> we keep data centrally, or provide a distributed backup solution for PCs.
>
> I am sure ADSM can do the job.  We have the server capacity - I think.
> We would need more client licenses of course.  But the administrative
> overhead would be quite significant.
>
> If we did this we would use user initiated backups, and only backup
> specific directories eg C:\data.  All our PCs have pretty much standard
> setups so we wouldn't want to backup the complete system for each &
> every PC.  And I imagine we would use separate storage pools from our
> existing pools, without any collocation set.
>
> I would be keen to hear how other people have solved this particular
> problem.  Has anybody got a White paper or anything examining the pros
> & cons of the two scenarios.
>
> Regards,
> Simon