Backup and Recovery Goals
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@DustinB3403 said:
What I'm running now for our separate XenServer is Platform backup and restore.
The guest don't get a choice in it, and it's really, really simple to restore from. Import and done.
But you can't do incremental or differential backups making a restore only useful on some occasions. And the ability to backup offsite pretty much goes away.
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Taking on pain during backups to enable smooth recoveries is generally a good tradeoff, but don't go too far. I feel like you are making an insanely complex and difficult backup process to either:
- Avoid just buying Unitrends which meets all of your needs in one product. Or...
- Living within the relatively minor pain threshold of a StorageCraft restore.
SC meets your needs for sure, just doesn't hit a checkbox that you seem obsessed with. If you ignore the desire to restore from an image, doesn't SC do what you need all on its own?
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@scottalanmiller I'm not an expert on SC which is why I'm asking the questions. I just don't know how I'd restore a VM from SC. Even the link you posted earlier explains it. But not having seen it happen/done makes me uncomfortable.
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@DustinB3403 said:
@scottalanmiller I'm not an expert on SC which is why I'm asking the questions. I just don't know how I'd restore a VM from SC. Even the link you posted earlier explains it. But not having seen it happen/done makes me uncomfortable.
You should be doing test restores on a scheduled basis no matter what toolset you use.
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Since we're talking about backing XenServer VMs up, would Xen Orchestra with a Starter license be worth considering here? More info here.
I just got the free version up and running, it seems like they do offer some nice tools on top of XenCenter if you get a paid license.
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@WingCreative Xen Orchestra sounds exactly like NAUBackup but with a GUI, which is offered for free.
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$70/mo seems pretty pricey for this.
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@scottalanmiller said:
$70/mo seems pretty pricey for this.
Especially if it doesn't offer incrementals/differentials.
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Not really meant as a backup tool, it's a management tool that just exposes the existing backup techology.
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@scottalanmiller said:
Not really meant as a backup tool, it's a management tool that just exposes the existing backup techology.
Even worse, just a wrapper for existing tech - yeah way over priced.
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@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Not really meant as a backup tool, it's a management tool that just exposes the existing backup techology.
Even worse, just a wrapper for exiting tech - yeah way over priced.
For existing tech too!
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MC Exiting Tech.... get the F out of IT, bro!
(Rapper Exiting Tech..... get it?)
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@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Not really meant as a backup tool, it's a management tool that just exposes the existing backup techology.
Even worse, just a wrapper for exiting tech - yeah way over priced.
For existing tech too!
those pesky letters have been missing all day.
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Good points all! Makes sense considering I'm going to be sticking with the free version myself...
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@scottalanmiller I get it.
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@scottalanmiller said:
MC Exiting Tech.... get the F out of IT, bro!
(Rapper Exiting Tech..... get it?)
you forgot, drops the mic
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Does anyone know how licensing for StorageCraft works?
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@Dashrender said:
Does anyone know how licensing for StorageCraft works?
Nevermind - I just checked out there website. in virtualization - it's per VM.
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@Dashrender said:
Nevermind - I just checked out there website. in virtualization - it's per VM.
Same as physical. It's a "per OS" license model.
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@DustinB3403 said:
@scottalanmiller I'm not an expert on SC which is why I'm asking the questions. I just don't know how I'd restore a VM from SC. Even the link you posted earlier explains it. But not having seen it happen/done makes me uncomfortable.
Even now with the videos, you should try out their tools with what you have to do a test restore or two. You want the process to be tested and you to be comfortable with it so that when the time comes you have confidence.
