Very Computer

Hi all,
I downloaded and installed the free backup software from the Storix web
site and it looks good but we definitely could use the features of the
licensed version. I installed the full trial copy and looked over the
docs but I wanted to get some comments before I invest too much time.

We have an environment of 2 SP frames (16 nodes) and about 30 standalone
boxes. We'd like to have Storix do all the backups across our FDDI
network instead of the SP ethernet (we dont have an SP switch).

1) Can my CWS be the manage the backups for SP and non-SP system
backups?
2) Do I have to attach my tape drives to the CWS or can they go on a
node?
3) Can non-SP systems backup to a tape drive on a node?
4) How can I tell it to use the FDDI network instead?
5) Any comments on experiences you've had with the product (i.e.
support/reliability)?

Thanks in advance

I'l let someone else comment on the support and reliability of the product since I'm just a little biased, but I will answer your technical questions:

Yes, SP nodes and standalone systems look the same to Storix, except that there are options that apply to nodes that do not apply to standalone boxes, such as the hardware controls and recustomization.

Quote:> 2) Do I have to attach my tape drives to the CWS or can they go on a
> node?

They can go on any system, CWS, node or standalone box.

Quote:> 3) Can non-SP systems backup to a tape drive on a node?

Yes.

Quote:> 4) How can I tell it to use the FDDI network instead?

There are 2 ways: either configure the clients and servers using hte FDDI hostname or you can add an 'alternate hostname or IP address' when you configure the server record. This way you can select during a backup or restore whether you want to use the primary (ethernet) or alternate (FDDI) network.

Quote:> 5) Any comments on experiences you've had with the product (i.e.
> support/reliability)?

Our SP customers tell me they can't live without it.

----------------------------------------------
Anthony Johnson         1-619-291-4500
Storix Software         1-619-291-4590 (fax)

Quote:> 1) Can my CWS be the manage the backups for SP and non-SP system
> backups?
> 2) Do I have to attach my tape drives to the CWS or can they go on a
> node?
> 3) Can non-SP systems backup to a tape drive on a node?

Storix is very flexible you'll find.  The answer to all three of your
questions here is certainly yes, if you want to, or no, if you don't
want to.

Quote:> 4) How can I tell it to use the FDDI network instead?

Make sure to use the adapter name of the FDDI cards when defining your
clients.

Quote:> 5) Any comments on experiences you've had with the product (i.e.
> support/reliability)?

Storix is the only system backup software we sell now.  I've been
recommending it to my customers for a while, with very good success,
and just a few days ago we arranged to become a reseller ourselves.  
No more Sysback for us, though.  Not that Sysback is a bad thing, but
that Storix is that much better.

I remember the days of backing up my nodes with mksysb to a big NFS
filesystem* off the CWS, then having ADSM (now TSM) run through
and back up all those images and such.  What a mess heh.  If you have
an SP you'll like Storix.