Simple ? about Client Agent for Windows

[andrew2000]

Hey Guys,
I've been reading through the ArcServe 11.1 manuals and what I can't seem to find is whether or not the Client Agent for Windows costs money, or if it is a base component of the product.

When the purchasing folks gave us our licensing info, it listed the Exchange Agent and ArcServe 11.1, but no serial number for the Client Agent for Windows.

The reason I think I might need this is that ArcServe doesn't seem to back up all of the data when I backup one of my servers over the network.

For example, then I select a remote server over the network it only gives me the option for C$ and D$ (the administrative shares) for a remote server. Then when the actual job runs it only backs up like 900MB on each drive, even though there are 2.5GB on each drive.

Thanks,

Drew

 

[andrew2000]

Forgot to add, when it runs the backups of C$ and D$ it doesn't give me any errors or skips, it just doesn't seem to backup all of the files.

 

[andrew2000]

Never mind, after taking the time to type that up I found the answer. It does cost extra. I wonder though, shouldn't I be able to backup all of the data over the network without it?

Seems like it should be a basic feature...

Drew

 

[arcagent]

You can backup over the network without the agent by bringing up the Backup screen and selecting the Source tab. A list of branches should be in view, and you should see a branch entitled "Network". Expand this branch and you will see "Microsoft Windows Network" and a listing of your networked machines should follow.

You should be able to select your networked machines for backup, without the client agent for windows.

As to your question about skipped files, this is perfectly normal. Files that are open at the time of backup may be skipped by backup software, which is why the ARCserve backup suite of products has something called "Backup Agent for Open Files", which sits on the remote machine and permits the backup of open files. BUT. You must use the Backup agent for Open files in conjunction with the ARCserve Client Agent for Windows, because they work together to provide that functionality.

Often the files that are missed when backing up a machine WITHOUT the Backup Agent for Open Files are Operating System files that are open during the time of backup.

So let's consider a server you want to backup called Andrew2000. Perhaps there's some data on that server that you're trying to protect in a folder called C:\Data\Finance\. The best way to AVOID open file errors is to ONLY select the data you want to backup, instead of the entire machine.

Now if there's a file within c:\Data\Finance called acctspayable.doc and a user is writing to that document with MS Word at the time of the backup then you may still get open file errors.

So he moral of the story is: Know what data you want to protect and be SELECTIVE in selecting it for your backups. IF you are still getting Open file errors, then consider using the Client Agent for Windows and the Backup Agent for open files (both installed on the remote machine) to protect your data.

Please be more specific about what is NOT getting backed up and we will help you refine your backups.

Thanks
~Arcagent

 

[andrew2000]

Ok--I'll try to find more specific info on what is not being backed up. It's bound to be a lot of stuff, though, as there is at least a 1GB disparity between the total size of C:\ and what is repoted as being backed up in C$.

I have the open file agent installed on the remote servers, and it isn't skipping any files. There's just a huge difference in the size of C:\ and what the backup logs tell me they've backed up. I don't think my purchasing dept. bought the Client Agent though.

Thanks for the help!

Andrew