Has anyone on this panel used Double -Take DR software?

[gman10]

Hey guys-

I'm trying to provide a Disaster Recovery solution for my boss's client.. They unfortunately don't have alot of money to spend on a real hardware cluster/SAN/NAS solution so I'm looking for software possibilities and came up with Double-Take? Has anyone used it and known the pro's and con's?? I'm wondering if this softeare installs on a server or is this a software solution that loads on a NAS or server farm assessment..

Any tips would be great!!

GT

 

[Peping]

Not using it myself but would suggest going through their white papers and download an evaluation copy of the product.

Peping

 

[technome]

Excellent product
Replicates at the byte level.
Load on Windows 200x servers, "Geo" does clusters.

Researched for few days before evaluating software.

Double Take, Legato, and Surviveit are in a league of there own. There is other software out there, but they are basically "xcopy" programs. Ruled out Legato at the start.

CA Survivit was my first evaluation. High CPU usage, required a complete server mirroring every time the "primary" server was brought off line ( software reboots, hardware installs etc.). Required 8-10 hours to complete.

Double Take. (Recommend a second network card in replicating machines dedicated to replication only, goes for any mirroring software, we have fiber between the machines).
Taxes the CPU much less than Surviveit. Once the initial mirror is complete, a byte level remirror on a 210 Gig array ( 120 gig used) requires <1 hour and 20 minutes.
( lets see Windows 2000x FRS replicate data at this rate!)

On my setup I did not require the failover mode; the business allows for server downtime at night. The server requires hardware changes, software installs, and updates fairly often, so the ability to mirror quickly was the prime objective.
Never had a complete server failure, but should it happen, I would rename the &quot;secondary&quot; server and change the ip address to the Primary's address, and reboot ( 5 minutes). Should &quot;failover mode&quot; be used, downing individual server can be done, but a more complicated procedure must be followed. Entire servers, individual volumes, group of directories, individual directories, and files can be replicated.
Most of my setup replicated to a secondary server, but I had one program running on the &quot;secondary&quot; server, which replicated to the primary

An entire server &quot;remirror&quot; can be accomplished during business hours with a minor network speed drop, unlike Survivit which would drag the network throughput down considerably. Once the mirrors are complete, CPU usage is minimal (dependant on mobo speed)

As far a ease of setup- once you understand the program and functions, and become familiar with the menu, really simple

Not a negative, but with any replication software I would be very careful in the initial setup, as to not replicate in the wrong direction ( could happen if your tired). Understand how this software replicates directory and file rights; this only area which caused me minor problems on the &quot;secondary&quot; ( my lack of understanding)

An &quot;evaluation&quot; download is available for both products.
( Survivit leaves reg entries on removal)

The only negative is the price; if I owned NSI software I would lower it and cash in on volume sales.
Support, included in the price (1 year) will be needed for a few questions until you fully understand the program; support after this would only be needed for updates.

Contact Sunbelt Software, they were the only supplier which gave a descent discount. Believe I paid 6200.00 for two licenses. Surviveit is about half the price but is far behind DT, in my case useless due to replication demands.