Specifications

Using Backup Express for GuardianOS
104 Snap Server Administrator Guide
Using Backup Express for GuardianOS
This section provides an overview of Backup Express for GuardianOS concepts and
discusses using the software to perform backup and restore operations on Snap
Servers. The procedures for installing the Backup Express GUI on a client machine
and performing basic configuration tasks are described in the Quick Start Guide,
found in the sleeve of the Backup Express for GuardianOS User CD. The
presentation of this content assumes that you have performed these procedures.
The extensive documentation set provided on the Backup Express for GuardianOS
CD covers the full Backup Express product, including modules not supported by
the default Snap Server installation. Information presented here is specific to the
GuardianOS and has been adapted primarily from two sources: Backup Express
Operations Guide (bexoper.pdf) and the Configuration Guide (bexconf.pdf). For
more information on the procedures described in this section, see the appropriate
document.
Supported Configurations
The default installation supports either a highly distributed configuration, where a
storage device is attached to each Snap Server on your network; or a centralized
configuration, where a tape device is attached to one Snap Server (acting as the
master server) and up to four “satellite” Snap Servers as nodes. Highly distributed
processing (single storage devices on numerous nodes) gives you the greatest
speed, since you have many device servers processing concurrently. There is a cost,
however, in tape management. At the other end of the spectrum, using centralized
media pools provides greater administrative convenience in exchange for reduced
processing speeds.
Tip
To maximize performance, the GuardianOS eliminated all system control and
processing functions, including e-mail, that do not contribute to improving file I/O
throughput. For this reason, the e-mail reporting functions of Backup Express will
not work on Snap Servers.