Hi all, we use ntbackup to backup folder on our server to tape. Currently we
have not been rotating the tapes and it has been overwriting the tape
nightly. We are in the process of setting up a rotation cycle and I had a
few questions on it:-

1. Does ntbackup have the capability of sending out an email when the
nightly backup procedure has been finished? As the amount of data grows, it
will take longer and longer for the backup process and we want to avoid
having the tape removed until it has been completed.

2. Also does ntbackup have the capability to send out an email if the backup
fails for some reason? I know it writes it to the event log, but email would
be nice.

Our server is Windows 2000 Standard.

TIA!

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:04:21 -0400, RP wrote:

Hi.

NTBackup.exe is a far primitive tool for options like that, but it is a
good starting point if you would like to write some scripts.
Calling the backup procedure can be made from bat files, which can be
programmed to send the backup log, to email after ntbackup.exe finished
execution.
Another stuff is the RSM interface with the backup tapes, which will for
sure, give you problems. You have to make scripts for refreshing the backup
tape before the backup start, and you can easily write a rsm script to
eject the tape after the backup finishes.

Best regards,

--
Zoltan Fekete <zoltanf@neobee.net>
Microsoft Certified Professional

YU Spin d.o.o. Novi Sad - http://www.yuspin.co.yu
NetSee Network Utility - http://yuspin.metrohive.net/netsee

Zoltan, thanks for the reply. Did MS improve any of these tools in Windows
Server 2003? thanks!

"Zoltan Fekete" <zoltanf@neobee.net> wrote in message
news:g9bxie1rpf6n$.dkx5iixqkn6x.dlg@40tude.net...

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 13:13:40 -0400, RP wrote:


Not really. There are some bug fixes, and I think the RSM tool is little
improved, but the ntbackup.exe is more-less the same.

If you really want to make a good solution out of this, you have 2 options:

1. Learn something about how to call ntbackup from the command prompt, how
to write .bat and .vbs scripts, and finally how to use RSM to handle tapes
(I can give you some hints about this, since I used this solution for my
companies product environment)

2. Purchase a third party (expensive) application for backup to handle
this.

Best regards,

--
Zoltan Fekete <zoltanf@neobee.net>
Microsoft Certified Professional

YU Spin d.o.o. Novi Sad - http://www.yuspin.co.yu
NetSee Network Utility - http://yuspin.metrohive.net/netsee

Zoltan, I would really appreciate if you could help me out some with option
#1. Here is my scenario:-

Our server is located at a remote data center. Currently ntbackup is
configured to backup a certain folder to the tape nightly. We are working on
establishing a schedule for tape rotation with offsite storage. For this to
happen it would be ideal if the system could send an email to me and to the
data center helpdesk when the backup has been completed every night and with
the success/failure status. I am not very familiar with RSM so I dont know
as yet how that is going to play a role over here.

TIA!

"Zoltan Fekete" <zoltanf@neobee.net> wrote in message
news:17ap8yxzexf8z.5sjpm1w1541w.dlg@40tude.net...

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 11:07:04 -0400, RP wrote:

Ok.
Send me an email, and I will send you some scripts to help you out, expect
an answer during Monday, since I'm out of my office now, and I need to copy
my backup scripts, and make a little modification for sending the backup
log via email....

Best regards,

--
Zoltan Fekete <zoltanf@neobee.net>
Microsoft Certified Professional

YU Spin d.o.o. Novi Sad - http://www.yuspin.co.yu
NetSee Network Utility - http://yuspin.metrohive.net/netsee

I wrote a script for Windows 2003 called NTBackupScript which hopefully
can help you out. It sends nightly backup report logs and tape chage
reminders via email as well. Try the free script at
http://ntbackup.no-ip.com

-Hope this helps!