Q. What's new in Backup Exec (tm) 10d?

A: Some of the new features released with Backup Exec 10d (10.1) include : Symantec Backup Exec Continuous Protection Server Symantec Backup Exec Continuous Protection Server (CPS) ensures that business-critical data is always protected and always available. It combines proven Backup Exec data protection with replication technology and disk-based data storage to provide fast and reliable backups. CPS provides the ability for end-users to restore data on their own using the CPS web-based data retrieval tool. Symantec Backup Exec - Agent for Microsoft Data Protection Manager The Symantec Backup Exec - Agent for Microsoft Data Protection Manager (DPM Agent) enables network administrators to perform backup and restore operations between Microsoft Data Protection Manager (DPM) and Backup Exec. For example, you can back up DPM data to tape or disk. Data from three Data Protection Manager sources can be backed up: Synthetic Backup Job Performance The amount of time Backup Exec takes to process incremental synthetic backup jobs was reduced significantly, particularly when backing up large numbers of files. Desktop and Laptop Option (DLO) DLO has a new look and feel to reflect the Symantec branding. DLO no longer requires that the active domain controller be online. The installation path can no longer be changed during upgrades. When the Desktop Agent is upgraded using a push install from Backup Exec, the Desktop Agent will start up after the upgrade even if the logged on user is not an administrator on the desktop computer. DLO now supports computers with names longer than 15 characters. Corrected a problem in which the DLO Console would close and generate an error if the console was refreshed following the restoration of a deleted file. Corrected a problem where the Desktop Agent would fail to start if it the integrity scan on the Network User Data Folder was previously interrupted. The number of repetitive alerts has been reduced. If DLO is configured to suppress errors and warning from the Desktop Agent and the administrator makes changes that require Desktop Agents to be restarted, the administrator will no longer see messages stating that they are restarting. There are no longer unreadable columns in the Alerts view after upgrading from Backup Exec DLO version 9.1.

Features Include
Simple, easy-to-use continuous data protection. Provides complete disk-to-disk-to-tape protection in one solution. Fully scalable solution, including centralized management and SAN support for growing businesses. Delivers fast, reliable backup and recovery for Windows servers, as well as desktops and laptops. Eliminates backup windows. Improves data and application availability. Provides granular protection for a wide variety of applications including Microsoft SQL and Exchange with key agents.

Backup Exec 10d for Windows Servers Agents: New! Remote Agent for Macintosh Servers
The new Symantec Backup Exec 11d Remote Agent for Macintosh Servers provides support for online nondisruptive backup of Mac OS X (PowerPC only) servers. The expanded platform support broadens the target market for Backup Exec customers by increasing support for heterogeneous platforms.

New! Agent for Active Directory

Recover critical Active Directory data in seconds with this new agent. The Symantec Backup Exec 11d Active Directory Recovery Option allows you to restore Active Directory or Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) objects, including deleted user accounts, and individual attributes online without having to perform an offline authoritative or nonauthoritative full Active Directory restore. With the importance of Active Directory in todays Windows environments, protecting it is now simpler.

New! Agent for Oracle RAC on Win or Linux Servers

With this new Symantec Backup Exec 11d Oracle RAC Agent, protect an Oracle application server or businesscritical applications requiring high availability running within Oracle Real Application Clusters on Windows and Linux servers. Initiate backups and restores from the Backup Exec media server or from the Oracle RMAN console. Multistream support is available for increased performance during backups and restores.

New! Agent for DB2 on Windows Servers

The new Symantec Backup Exec 11d Agent for DB2 supports the backup and restore of IBM DB2 on Windows servers, allowing administrators to view logical objects (databases, table spaces) and select these entities to be recovered to a specified point in time. Initiate backups and restores from the Backup Exec media server or from the DB2 Command Line Processor.

Remote Agent for Windows (RAWS)

The Remote Agent for Windows Servers expands network-wide data protection and optimise data transfers for 32 and 64-bit remote Windows servers, including local Registry and System State information. Exclusive Agent Accelerator technology helps maximise backup and recovery performance by providing source-level compression and distributed processing at the client. The result is reduced network traffic and maximise data throughput.

Remote Agent for Netware (RANW)

The Remote Agent for NetWare Servers incorporates remote NetWare server data protection and recovery into daily backup and recovery activities. This agent offers 100 percent SMS compatibility and NDS bindery information for NetWare servers. Exclusive Agent Accelerator technology helps maximise backup and recovery performance by providing source-level compression and distributed processing to reduce network traffic and maximise throughput.

Remote Agent for Linux / UNIX

Provides high performance network-wide data protection for 32 and 64-bit remote Linux and UNIX servers. The redesigned agent extends Backup Exec softwares advanced agent technology beyond Windows and Netware to meet the need of the emerging business applications on Linux operating systems.

Agent for Microsoft Data Protection Manager

Provides high-performance networkwide data protection for the Microsoft Data Protection Manager, including SQL Server components.

Agent for Exchange Server

A Fast, flexible technology to protect vital Exchange Server 5.5, 2000 and 2003 data while the application is online. This agent provides full or incremental, or differential backup and restore of embedded objects, attributes, and all Outlook components. Restore can automatically mount the Exchange database upon completion of a restore job, which ensures a valid database is brought back online quickly.

Agent for SQL Server

Ensures business-critical databases and e-business data are protected in the event of application or hardware-based corruption or loss. This agent provides SQL Server 7.0 and 2000 users granular protection on 32 and 64-bit systems down to the individual database or file group. Execute differential backups as well as Transaction Log backups with automatic truncation.

Agent for Lotus Domino

Integrates comprehensive data protection of vital Lotus Domino 5.x and 6.x messaging and collaboration databases within daily backup activities. The backup and restore of partitioned and clustered Lotus Domino servers are also supported. Using the native Domino backup API, this option integrates non-disruptive data protection of the databases and transaction logs.

Agent for Oracle

Integrates non-disruptive data protection for business-critical Oracle10g, 9i, 8i, and 8.x databases. Use advanced features such as the granular protection of individual table spaces or a complete application/database backup and the protection of archived redo logs and control files, without ever taking them off-line.

Agent for SAP R/3

Provides SAP certified data protection for business-critical SAP applications while the application is still online and in use supporting Oracle, MaxDB, and SQL databases. The Agent for SAP R/3 is a reliable solution that allows Backup Exec software to provide both local and remote protection of databases running R/3 using the SAP (BC-BRI BACKINT) interface for efficient data management.

Agent for SharePoint Portal Server

Safeguards a SharePoint Portal Server 2001 and 2003 corporate knowledgebase system with online, fast and reliable data protection and recovery. SharePoint Portal Server 2003 introduces Server Farm configurations. These new distributed configurations are fully supported by the enhanced agent. Protected portal components include the Web Storage System, Search Service, Server Configuration files and the Applications folders.

Backup Exec 10d for Windows Servers Options: New! NDMP Option
This new Symantec Backup Exec 11d Option supports the backup and restore of NDMP v.4/NetApp Filers with tape devices attached. New support for NetApp NDMP devices greatly expands the number of disk targets that can be selected for disk-based data protection.

Advanced Disk Backup Option

Enables faster backups and restores through advanced disk-based backup and recovery, including synthetic and off-host backups to perform zero impact backups. Synthetic backups reduce backup windows and network bandwidth requirements, and do not impact the original client. Additionally, Synthetic backups allow for quick client restore from a single backup image to reduce the number of tapes and eliminate the need to restore from incremental backups.

Advanced Open File Option

Ensures files on local or remote servers are protected while in use. The VERITAS Backup Exec Advanced Open File Option handles open files at the volume level and is seamlessly integrated into Backup Exec software. There is no need to know which files are open ahead of time; just set a scheduled backup to use this option with a simple mouse click.

Central Admin Server Option

Provides simplified, centralised management of multiple Backup Exec media servers. A robust and scalable solution, it enables centrally managed operations, load balancing, fault tolerance, monitoring and reporting for many Backup Exec media servers in a Windows data centre, distributed throughout the network, or at remote offices. The Central Adm. Server option makes Backup Exec simple to grow and simple to manage.

Desktop and Laptop Option

With the majority of business-critical information residing outside the data center or off corporate servers, protection for desktops and laptops is a must. The Desktop and Laptop Option delivers continuous data protection to desktops and laptops whether in the office or on the road. Not only improving data protection and efficiency, this option enables users to restore their own files and maintains synchronisation between multiple desktops and laptops so the most up-to-date file versions are available on all of a users computers. Because the Desktop and Laptop Option does not require a dedicated stand-alone server as competing products do, it easily integrates into existing IT infrastructure and policies, helping lower the total cost of ownership.

Intelligent Disaster Recovery Option

Saves recovery time by automating the traditional manual, error prone process. The Intelligent Disaster Recovery Option automates server recovery, reducing the time to recovery and gets you back into business fast. Implement a server recovery solution for both local and remote Windows servers, eliminating the need to first reload the entire operating system of crashed servers.

Library Expansion Option

Scales the media storage system by leveraging additional drives within multi-drive tape or optical autoloader/library storage systems. This options Advanced Device and Media Management (ADAMM) technology provides extensive configuration and management capabilities to include lights-out backup and restore operations, bar-code reader and portal support for both SCSI and Fibre-attached devices.