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Iomega Rev Drives and Disks Rev Up Backups: Page 3 of 3

I ran into one problem with Automatic Backup Pro, however. Designed to be an interactive application, the software doesn't run as a system service. If you're not logged on, the scheduled backups won't start. Although this isn't a big deal when you're backing up a workstation, it's a problem if a server is involved.

To be viable for a server, the Rev must be combined with more robust third-party backup software. If the software supports backups to optical media (CD/DVD) or to a hard disk, it should support the Rev drive. Iomega has qualified the Rev with Veritas' Backup Exec, Computer Associates' BrightStor ARCserve Backup and Dantz Development's Retrospect, among other products. In some cases, however, you may have to upgrade existing software to a version that supports the Rev.

Because the Rev drive uses random-access hard-disk technology instead of linear tape, both backups and restores are fast. With pricing for the drive and media comparable to that of similarly sized tape drives, Iomega's offering gives you something to consider when you're looking for a workstation or small-server backup.

Michael Brandenburg is a systems administrator for a machine manufacturer in Neehah, Wis. Write to him at [email protected].