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Space For Rent: Page 9 of 17

We selected files for backup by creating a backup "class," InfoSure's name for defining a group of files and folders with filtering. In defining a class, the software theoretically lets us choose from among four backup strategies. Unfortunately, there really was only one option available--that strategy was predefined by InfoSure, which reserved the right to establish our automated backup schedule based on mutual convenience. While this policy is undoubtedly effective for load-balancing InfoSure's internal usage, it will be unpopular with managers who prefer to control their own backup windows.

On the plus side, the agent offers many advanced capabilities and has native tools for managing hot backups on a number of messaging platforms, including Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint Portal Server and IBM Lotus Notes/Domino, as well as databases like Oracle, IBM DB2, Informix, Sybase, Teradata and Microsoft SQL Server. If that's not enough, InfoSure offers cluster support for data protection in high-availability environments--HP MCSG, HP OpenVMS Cluster, HP TruCluster, IBM HACMP, Microsoft Cluster Services, Sun Cluster and others--as well as support for all major Unix, Linux and Windows platforms.

Like setup and configuration, pricing is somewhat complicated. After the initial setup fee, costs are calculated based on a monthly charge per server, plus storage and data transfers. For our test server, the tab came to $55.12 per month plus a one-time setup charge of $133.80 for one computer backing up as much as 2 Gbytes of data, with 20 percent incremental change each month (all prices converted to U.S. dollars).

Restorations are billed separately at a cost of $8.60 per Gbyte of data transferred, and data retention is based on 28-day storage for incremental data, after which that data is remotely concatenated into a "synthetic full backup," which is stored for 56 days. Additional levels of retention are available, ranging from years to decades, and DBFT even offers direct computer-to-microfilm transfers for those needing records archived into the next century. Technical support is available 24/7 by phone and online. There's emergency data restoration by CD-ROM, and the company offers premium bare-metal server restoration on a case-by-case quote basis.

InfoSure. Data Base File Tech Group, (800) 661-0272. www.infosure.com


The IBackup online backup service is hosted at the mirrored facilities of the Exodus Communications Internet Data Center at El Segundo, Calif. Operating since 1999, IBackup offers online storage for individual and SOHO users, as well as secure online workgroup and server data storage for SMBs.