best option for backing up to tape

[carl_townshend]

Hi all, at present we ,have a backup server running netvault, this connects to a san switch, which then connects through a tapedrive, the connection to the backup server is via the ethernet and I think this is how the traffic flows to backup other boxes to tape, is there any other solution to this, what is the best practice ?

[Michael Brown]

Cisco has a solution known as NASB (Network Assisted Serverless Backup). I believe it is designed for a large back up operation, and requires the SSM (Storage Services Module).

Here is a link to a brief on the technology.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns340/ns394/ns259/ns515/net_brochure0900aecd80332bfa.pdf

There might be other options, but this is only one I can think of at the moment. Hope this helps.

- Mike

[steven.langdale]

Hello

Are these hosts you want to back up over the SAN particularly big?

Are you talking about sending data directly from the host to the tape drive?

I don't use netvault, but I do use TSM, this allows you to backup straight from the host to tape and is called LanFree (for obvious reasons :) ).

Maybe you can explain a little more exactly what you are trying to achieve?

Steven