Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!NAS!BCNSTAT From: BCNSTAT@NAS.BITNET (Bob Caine) Newsgroups: bit.listserv.novell Subject: Emerald Backup Systems Reply Message-ID: Date: 18 Jan 90 14:07:00 GMT Sender: Novell LAN Interest Group Reply-To: Novell LAN Interest Group Lines: 82 Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway I have been waiting for someone to comment on the Emerald Systems VAST device. I would like to have heard better things from Glenn, since his opinion is generally well supported. I have one of the Emerald VAST devices (and plan on getting 15+ more) and have not had any problems with the hardware. The Emerald software is somewhat suspect, and I have found several items that I have brought to their attention. Their product for running the VAST from the file server as a VAP (EMQ) is to be avoided. It is slow and does not operate consistently from computer to computer. It works on one AT, a model 70, but not on the other AT. And the throughput is a dismal 1.5 MB/Min on a 4 Mhz Token Ring (I am awaiting AT type 16 Mhz adapters and NE2000 adapters to set up a faster backbone). The workstation backup software EMSAVE works well and much more reliably (all workstations can do the backup). Having just completed a network backup of changed files, here are some stats: 808 files archived 118,689,831 Megs 39:51 minutes 2.9 Mb/Min This is still not blazing speed, but it can fulfill my backup requirements. I do hope that the faster backbone will raise this to about 5 Mb/Min (I know of a backbone Ethernet that has attained this speed). I looked at the Palindrome software, which works with the Emerald VAST, but was not impressed. I like the Emerald software for it's Windows, easy to use I/F, automatic retrying of open files, unattended operations mode and transaction logging function. So far I have found that the EMSAVE can support my backup policy and procedures. If I come up with any problems, I will let the list know. Bob Caine National Academy of Sciences P.S. I also looked at the Mountain VAST device but was not impressed with their Quality Tape software. >If I was to go out and buy a backup system for 1 Gigabyte or more of data, >would the yet-to-be-released DAT system offer more 'data reliability' >than the current VAST device? (both by emerald). In other words, >should I wait 3 months for the DAT to come it? I realize it is less data >on a cartridge (1.2 Gb instead of 2.2Gb), I'm more interested in longevity >and reliability over storage capacity. All comments are welcome, and >thanks again for making this list tops! >George Saba That is an oxymoron is I ever heard one... Emerald and reliability. Emerald has a long way to go to restore its "release of the weeK" reputation. For my money, I would go with Maynand or Palindrome. The one good thing about the Emerald system is that you can by a Palindrome conversion kit (about $1000) and make the tape drive work correctly. Of course, it is your money... so you get to make the big decision. I guess it comes down to the question... Do you want to sleep comfortably at night? These are my opinions based on personal experience and a lot of input from our users group members. Glenn Fund Internet: Fund@Relay.proteon.com Principal Research Specialist CompuServe: 75170,1060 Sanders Associates cc:Mail Fund at Proteonwebo DW Highway South Phone: (603) 885-6242 MS NHQ4-0138 Director of The Greater Boston Area Nashua, NH 03061 Novell Users Group. Co-Founder and President of the Affiliation of NetWare Users "ANU Day Is Dawning"