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Product summary
The good: Easy to use; many optional features available.
The bad: Optional costs add up quickly.
The bottom line: Backup Exec is an easy-to-use and flexible backup option for small networks.
Specifications: License qty: 1 server ; License type: Complete package ; Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows 2000 Server , Microsoft Small Business Server 4.5 , Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional , Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 , Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server , Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition , Microsoft Server Appliance Kit 2.0 or later , Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a or later , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition , Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a or later ; See full specs
Price range: $149.99 check prices
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/11/2004
- Released on: 11/04/2003
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.
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Veritas Backup Exec 9.1 for Windows Servers:
