CNB Simplifies Desktop Backup
March 8, 1999
By Dave Fetters
Desktop support is probably one of an IT professional's more trying tasks. As if maintaining your infrastructure wasn't enough work, you must calm the frustrated employee who can't load PowerPoint and swears he didn't touch his computer. Connected Corp. makes at least one task--desktop backup to the network--a little less painful with its Connected Network Backup (CNB) solution.
Designed to support desktop and laptop computers--and used with existing server backup software--CNB provides automated, online data backup, as well as real-time recovery. I tested a beta version of CNB in our University of Wisconsin Real-World Labs® and was impressed by its effortless installation and usability.
CNB is comprised of four major components: a client-resident intelligent agent for front-end access; a centralized backup engine that runs as a service on the server and handles encryption, compression and replication; AOK, a Web-based management tool that manages accounts and provides a knowledge base for helpdesks; and a Deployment Kit, which enables client-agent customization and controls licensing. CNB runs on an NT Server; its client supports Windows95, 98 and NT. Support for DLT and AIT tape drives is built-in.
Back (Up) to Basics The CNB server install took about two minutes. Four simple screens requested basic information, such as disk-only or HSM backup, maximum number of backup accounts and a login password. It took more time to install the required Microsoft's SQL 6.5 Server and Internet Information Server 4.0. SQL Server catalogs file information for the backups, which is then referenced for restores. IIS provides front-end access to the backup server via AOK management tools.
Before installing the client, you need to create the executable file. CNB includes a utility that lets you assemble customized backup agents. I selected a configuration name and the backup server IP address, followed by a host of policies. Saving the configuration resulted in a single executable file for the client install, which serves as the standard install executable for all other clients. I also set up an agent for a hands-free install--a nice feature for server-pushed installs. Automated backup schedules are established with policy settings or during the manual client install.
With both CNB's server and client running, I performed an initial system backup. When I fired up the backup utility, it brought up the home screen with two buttons--"Backup Now" and "Restore Files"--which are the only devices needed for a successful backup. The initial backup took about 40 minutes with a disk containing about 1 GB of data. I then backed up a second machine--and CNB really began to shine.
The second backup took only about half the time, thanks to SaveOnce and Delta Block technologies. SaveOnce looks at the files requested for backup and compares them to its local repository via its redundant file template feature. If a file is the same as one in the repository, CNB constructs a pointer to that file. Delta Blocking lets the application back up only the changed parts of a file; it uses a baseline file structure and combines the changed and baseline files. These two technologies, along with compression, enable backups and restores over a 28.8-Kbps connection.
Enlightening Restoration Since the backup procedure worked without a hitch, I was hopeful that the restore functionality would operate just as smoothly--and I was not disappointed. I deleted files and applications from the file manager in preparation for testing the Point-in-Time repair feature (sometimes known as a system rollback). I brought up the same home screen, but selecting "Restore Files" this time dumped me into an automated repair process. The restore operated flawlessly, with all my applications functioning properly. For added measure, I reformatted my hard drive, reinstalled NT and the backup client, and tried another restore. A glance through the event logs confirmed that even previously installed services started correctly.
My next test was to mimic a remote restore. I performed a backup of my laptop and used it for a few days, then dialed into a local ISP and performed a restore over IP, which took about 40 minutes. The application was restored and worked, the devices I removed the drivers from functioned correctly, and any documents I had changed were back to their original states.
CNB' s AOK Web tool is the front end of the backup server. It is intuitively laid out, with a simple vertical menu bar running down the left side. Here I was able to change user permissions; check account activity reports; and create and administer communities, groups and users with similar permissions.
CNB possesses both the scalability and security necessary for enterprise networks. Scalability is provided via multimirrored backup data centers. You can add an indefinite amount of servers, replicating all data to all servers. As for security, CNB encrypts all data using the Triple DES technology and a user-defined encryption key that's stored on the client and the server.
Send your comments on this article to Dave Fetters at dfetters@nwc.com.
|
Here
Here
REPORTS
ANALYTICS
Follow 
