In our case it is more than a 2 step process since the file based disk backup 
needs to be removed after the backup.  Depending on how you implement this, 
there may also be a timing issue ... did the SQL team get their backup to disk 
before NBU scheduled and accomplished the backup?  If the timing isn't right 
and coordinated, you could miss capturing the backup and then deleting the 
current file system backup as part of post-processing.

We are going down the same path as you because it gets multiple fingers out of 
the backup process, eliminates multiple and dependent tasks, reduces and almost 
eliminates risk regarding the ability to restore, and puts the backup/restore 
process where it belongs in our business.

Regarding the cost, we use VMWare on our Windows servers and the SQL agent is 
licensed by physical server.  We are consolidating our SQL servers onto a few 
physical servers.  This should reduce our costs almost 5 times.

We are still finalizing our decision on using the SQL agent, but it appears 
pretty obvious if implemented correctly and the infrastructure supports it 
financially.  I've also noticed several posts regarding reporting software and 
I want to see how well these backups can be reported on from an admin to mgmt 
level.

Good topic !

Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
[mailto:veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu]On Behalf Of Charles
Ballowe
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 4:59 PM
To: Paul Keating; veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
Subject: Re: [Veritas-bu] SQL agent any pros and cons?


That's not necessarily a con - it's integrated well with the SQL
Server backup and recovery methods. If you're doing a dump to disk,
even if you can restore the dump to the client from the master server,
a SQL admin must initiate the process to restore the database from
that dump. The agent reduces this to a one step process rather than 2.

On 5/11/05, Paul Keating <pkeating AT bank-banque-canada DOT ca> wrote:
> Con: IIRC, the restore must be initiated from the client?
> 
> Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
> > [mailto:veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu] On Behalf Of Jerry
> > Sent: May 11, 2005 4:39 PM
> > To: Hindle, Greg; veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
> > Subject: Re: [Veritas-bu] SQL agent any pros and cons?
> >
> >
> > Here's my "paper" (quick version):
> >
> > Pros:
> > * Saves disk space.  Backups up right to tape.
> > * Faster. One step, write to tape.
> > * Calls the same APIs the SQL backup does when it goes
> > to file.
> >
> > Cons:
> > * Cost Money
> > * Funky interface/setup
> >    * jobs show up twice for every one job.  There is a
> > job that kicks off another job that communicates back
> > to the server (dbbackex I believe is the binary).
> >
> > --- "Hindle, Greg" <Greg.Hindle AT constellation DOT com>
> > wrote:
> > > My boss wants me to write up a paper with the pro's
> > > and cons of using
> > > the Netbackup SQL agent. Has anyone out there done
> > > this? Any help or
> > > suggestions would be very helpful. We currently have
> > > SQL dump to a flat
> > > file and we then back this up to tape but he wants
> > > to know if this is
> > > better or should we be using the SQL backup agent
> > > instead....
> > >
> > >
> > > Greg
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >>> The information contained in this e-mail
> > > transmission is privileged and/or confidential
> > > intended solely for the exclusive use of the
> > > individual addressee. If you are not the intended
> > > addressee you are hereby notified that any
> > > retention, disclosure or other use is strictly
> > > prohibited. If you have received this notification
> > > in error, please immediately contact the sender and
> > > delete the material.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we.
> > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> > _______________________________________________
> > Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
> > http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu
> >
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
> http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu
>

_______________________________________________
Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu