As I've mentioned before on this list, we've turned the mminfo/save combo into 
an API here, complete with scripts (that are as generic as possible).  And, 
when possible, they get their own pools - both local and offsite.

Our primary backup of this sort is of Sybase database dumps (to files).  
They're generated at random times of the night (across 50+ pairs of servers) so 
waiting for all of them to finish is not an option - they backup when they need 
to (adv_file has become a godsend here with cloning).  As an additional bonus, 
we can use Sybase's dump compression, which has been 2-3x better than the tape 
drives (plus save disk space, as we keep our *entire* primary copy on adv_file 
- about 18 TB for the retention time in question).

We have similar types of backup, where I have requests like:

1) We only need directory /foo's files from 3 days ago, every other night.  [In 
a directory that they *never* delete anything unless space is full.]

2) We have a script that does processing in directory /yada each night, and 
only when completed do we want the $DAY subdir backed up.  But, processing may 
take from 3-20+ hours (requiring the script to pass that day's file over to 
save).

Notice that all of these are filesystem backups.  I do module backups under 
duress usually (due to the licenses), though SQL Server has been getting easier 
to deal with.

--TSK



Skip Hanson wrote:
> All,
> Good morning. I am curious how many of you perform manual/adhoc
> backups ? 
> 
> If you do manual backups, what types are typically done (i.e.
> Exchange, SQL, Filesystem) ?
> 
> Also, I am curious about which scenarios warrant a manual backup as
> opposed to simply
> starting a savegroup ?
> 
> Thank you,
> Skip Hanson
> 


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