Another possible way to use Replicator is to synchronize to a nonproduction SharePoint server that’s used as a backup for a large development project that involves constantly changing functional specs, code updates, and business requirements. Syntergy provides a reduced price when Replicator is used in this way.
Backup Exec Agent for Microsoft SharePoint
Many shops already have an enterprise backup system in place and prefer to extend that investment rather than deploy a separate product. Symantec’s Backup Exec is almost ubiquitous as a backup solution in the enterprise, so it’s a real boon to all those customers that Symantec has released an agent for SharePoint environments.
Backup Exec Agent for Microsoft Share- Point supports all versions since (and including) SharePoint 2001, making it a good choice for sites that haven’t migrated because you can use the same backup agent after you upgrade your SharePoint farm. Backup Exec Agent for Microsoft SharePoint also is a good economic choice because it includes the backup agent for Microsoft SQL Server, which lets you back up the entire SharePoint farm first and perform the more granular restores later for those special circumstances when individual objects need to be retrieved.
The agent supports both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms and deployments ranging from small shops to server farms. The number of SharePoint backup agents will depend on the number of SharePoint front-end servers you deploy. You will need one agent per server, plus a Backup Exec Remote Agent, which allows normal backup of your operating system and the more conventional data that might be on your server.
Backup Exec Agent for Microsoft SharePoint PROS: Performs well in basic backup and recovery of items in list and document libraries; includes the agent to back up the SQL Server databases; leverages existing Backup Exec infrastructure CONS: Requires the basic Backup Exec server product RATING: 3½ out of 5 PRICE: $1,095.99 for a single-server environment RECOMMENDATION: This product is a logical choice for a shop that already has a Backup Exec system. If you need more than backup and restore, look at the other products reviewed in this article. CONTACT: Symantec • 800-754-6054 • www.symantec.com |
The interface, shown in Figure 4, is familiar, which makes for an easy learning curve for already busy administrators. Like Recovery Manager for Sharepoint and DocAve, Symantec designed this agent to deal with the reality that restoration involves mostly individual items, concentrating on granular retrieval, including document-version backups.
Backup Exec Agent also supports multiple versions of SQL Server. Thus if you start your SharePoint deployment as a pilot project using SQL Server Express, you can upgrade to SQL Server 2005 with no loss of agent support. Backup Exec Agent supports both disk-to-tape and disk-to-disk backups, which is important for organizations using NAS or iSCSI storage. Additionally, it has the advantage of extending an interface that’s already familiar to administrators.
Making the Choice
All four products reviewed reflect their vendor’s perception of what a SharePoint administrator needs. If you already have Backup Exec, you can’t go wrong by purchasing Backup Exec Agent for Microsoft SharePoint. Recovery Manager for Share- Point could be the right choice for administrators who are new to SharePoint (or just overworked), and it has a great price point. Replicator provides a unique method of disaster recovery that preserves the state of your SharePoint data, and DocAve is the total-control solution that large, dynamic SharePoint environments need. Although I was impressed with all the packages, DocAve 4.5 stands out as the most complete solution, and it’s my pick for Editor’s Choice.