Entered CNET Catalog: 01/05/2004
SKU: E110048
Manufacturer: Symantec Corporation
Manufacturer description
VERITAS Backup Exec 9.1 for Windows Servers is the next generation backup and restore solution providing certified, comprehensive, cost effective protection for Microsoft Windows server environments. Backup Exec 9.1 software increases application availability while simultaneously improving backup performance. The graphical user interface consolidates product operations within a browser-like view and offers an alternate true web-based administration console for Microsoft Windows 2003 Server and NAS appliances running Microsoft Storage Server 2003. Easy-to-use wizards simplify data protection and recovery procedures for any level user and any size network. Combined with a complete family of high performance agents and options, Backup Exec offers the ease of use and flexibility to quickly protect desktop, laptop and server data.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/11/2004
Backup Exec's interface is intuitive if you're already comfortable with Windows Explorer. Tape drives and other backup destinations are presented in traditional expand-and-hide fashion. Setting up our external USB 2.0 hard drive as a backup device, for example, proved painless. Across the top of the Backup Exec interface are live icons for major task categories, including Job Setup, Job Monitor, Alerts, and Reports. Down the left side, you'll find major tasks available in each category. An overview tab lists how-tos and wizards for just about every aspect of the program, such as backing up a shared file on a client's desktop.
Backup Exec's greatest strength may lie in the various ways it attacks backup tasks. For first timers, it provides wizards and templates for typical tasks, such as backing up a server. But it also provides features for more experienced users who want to take full control. Veritas Backup Exec 9.1 for Windows supports a wide variety of backup destinations, from standalone tape drives to drive pools. Whenever you set up a new backup job, Backup Exec recommends that you initiate a simulated trial run to improve the likelihood of success. As it turned out, our test reported a problem which, after checking with the company, turned out to be a programming oversight.
Backup Exec is designed to back up to tape; instead, our test-bed server backs up to an external USB 2.0-connected hard drive. Backup Exec builds a virtual tape on the server's hard drive at the start of the first backup job, but because it couldn't find our tape drive, the test run reported that there was no tape available. Once the problem was identified and we manually corrected for it, the test backup proceeded flawlessly. Veritas is now aware of this problem, but as of this review, no software solution is available. We did not experience similar difficulties with Dantz Retrospect or Brightstor Arcserve.
After completing your first successful backup, Backup Exec will suggest running Intelligent Disaster Recovery, an optional process that guides you through the process of building a set of disaster-recovery discs. When combined with your regular backups, Intelligent Disaster Recovery will get you up and running quickly after a system crash. The Intelligent Disaster Recovery feature works with Microsoft's Automated System Recovery functionality, available within Server 2003 and Windows XP, and your most recent complete backup set.
Another extra is the unique Desktop and Laptop Option, or DLO, which adapts the backup process for remote users. Here, too, configuration is easy and there are many choices available--not only for scheduling but also for how much bandwidth the backup should consume and how much it should back off when clients working on the network are accessing other applications. Veritas offers a good, up-to-date online knowledge base for Backup Exec 9.1 for Windows. Backup Exec's built-in help file is also very useful. If you want to speak with a live technician, however, you'll have to cough up some dough, though that is true of the competition as well.
Support is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and costs $89 per call. For 24/7 support, the cost is $250 per call. Veritas also sells 12/5 and 24/7 service contracts. The price for these contracts varies, depending on the number of servers and clients. E-mail technical support is also available with a valid technical-support contract.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1
User Rating: 
9/10
Phenomenal
Pros: The best backup software available!
Cons: tech support leaves little to be desired.
Review:
While I agree that most add on features can ?add up?, but its that with EVERY backup software company.
I found veritas to be the only real solution for backups. They have been in the game for years .Prior to purchasing BE we were running tapeware and had nothing but problems with it. Tech support was horrible and the problems we had could never be solved. To date, even with the newer version, its still an issue.
Veritas to the rescue!!! We purchased Veritas BE 9 with an extended support contract. It does require some time to setup and get fully functional, but once it?s going its flawless. I?m currently backing up 10 servers and all my user systems (40) on a regular basis. Backing up to tape and disk is simple.
Con: If you do encounter problems, make sure you adapt at finding help online. Veritas phone tech support leaves little to be desired.
I found veritas to be the only real solution for backups. They have been in the game for years .Prior to purchasing BE we were running tapeware and had nothing but problems with it. Tech support was horrible and the problems we had could never be solved. To date, even with the newer version, its still an issue.
Veritas to the rescue!!! We purchased Veritas BE 9 with an extended support contract. It does require some time to setup and get fully functional, but once it?s going its flawless. I?m currently backing up 10 servers and all my user systems (40) on a regular basis. Backing up to tape and disk is simple.
Con: If you do encounter problems, make sure you adapt at finding help online. Veritas phone tech support leaves little to be desired.
