Using Third-Party Backup

WAFS/CDP versions 3.5.2.8916 and later are compatible with BackupExec version 12.

One of the most important tasks of an IT manager is to protect data and back it up. With WAFS, each time any user modifies a file or adds a new file, that change is replicated. By having each file replicated n + 1 times (to n other Agents and to one Server), and having access to previous versions of files, backup becomes far easier and safer.

However, although backup copies of each file are maintained, most IT managers prefer to further backup the data using a traditional backup medium such as tape. Described below are best practices for backup.

Choice 1: Backup Server

You should run backup for the replicated data (e.g. to a tape) only on the Server's file Vault . By default, this is directory C:\AD on the computer running the Server. If you are not sure where the Vault directory is, on the Server Console, click Server > Edit Parameters.

The root is listed in the Server working space box. You can back up the entire AD directory to get the current file AND the past versions, or just backup the P directories inside AD and get just the latest versions.

Backup of the replicating data on your Agents is unnecessary for several reasons:

  1. Backup of the Server includes the Agents' data, so adding backup of Agents is redundant.

  2. The backup can affect Agents' performance (depending on the backup technology and amount of data), which may adversely affect users and applications.

  3. Each Agent does not necessarily contain all of the data. Central backup of the server (D:\AD) gets all the data.

  4. Backup of Agents will not expedite the recovery from hardware problems. If the hardware running an Agent breaks, it is easy to deploy a replacement Agent. The Agent downloads the data from the Server and makes the data available to users in seconds, even before all of the data is downloaded. So as long as the Server is up, operations can resume immediately after a problem, without any need to restore from tape.

  5. A backup of the Server includes past versions of files. Only the Server keeps past versions.

Choice 2: Back up Data at the Agent

You should back up the data at the Server; however, if you decide to backup the data at the Agent, the important thing to remember is that your backup software will think it sees the same data multiple times. Backup only the AVMF and AVMO directory. Exclude the original data location, and the new drive letter. Restore files from AVMF, which you will see inside the P directories. Do NOT restore AVMF to the original location, or directly replace files into the P. Restore to a different location and then move the files/folders that you want back into the folder out of which your users work.

If you decide to backup the data at the Agent, and your specific backup software shows errors in the backup, simply change the exclusions. Exclude (2 at a time): both AVMO and AVMF; any new drive letters; the original mapped folder. Test to make sure the backup AND the restore both work.