Wrong Tapeware software bundled?

[Paul Dixon]

I've just purchased a SureStore 24i which came with TapeWare XP (which can only backup the local machine). The packaging contained a slip (part no C1555-09048) saying that the supplied software was in fact TapeWare Single Server edition (which *can* backup networked machines). Did I receive the wrong CD-ROM in my packaging, and if not, how do I enable networked backups?

[CA756694]

Hmmm...

You should get a tapeware cd (part number C1529-10017) which supports backup of one server or workstation with an attached tape drive.

You *can* map in network drives and back those up. If you post your email address then I'll send you the method for doing that.

As to the flyer.
The part number that you quote doesn't appear to be correct. Can we make an exchange? if I provide you with the network information, then you confirm the part number and perhaps send me a scan of the flyer ?

I really need to investigate further as if it says 'single server' then it is _very_ misleading.


cheers

John

[CA782766]

Hi,
You are okay. HP, i guess had the initial documentation before.
Which tapeware version did you receive? 6.2 or 6.3?
To enable usage on the network, you have to install tapeware on all the machines you wish to backup from. I attached all to the same storage management zone to make it easier for me.
Then with 6.3 (i am not sure about 6.2) you can install some options that will allow a successful backup over your network.
in any case 6.3 is better as tapeware does not offer support for 6.2 again, however there is a rebate for you if you want to get 6.3.
i am currently running the trial version of 6.3 on my networkusing surestore 24i and the performance is superb.

i hope this will help.

Regards
Kole

[Paul Dixon]

Thanks for your replies guys.

John,
I'm not at the site where the tape drive has been installed, but I've attached a fax copy of the relevant bits of the flyer. I didn't try mapping drives, was hoping for UNC path support. I'm pretty sure the machine in question already has some mapped drives, and these didn't show up. I'll double check this. If there is anything special I need to know to use mapped drives with this software, email me at paul@elphin.com or post here.

Ajayi,
I believe it was XP v6.3. I was able to install it on other machines and add them to management zone, but it was not possible to select files on those machines for backup, all I could do was create backup jobs for server-based files. You mention you "installed some options" what were these and how/where did you obtain them?

Thanks again for your assistance,

Kind regards,

Paul

[CA756694]

Paul,

I have just emailed you the method for mapping drives. I hope it helps.

Thanks for posting the flyer that was in the box. I understand that it was only included for a short space of time when we were moving from including Replica Single server to Yosemite Tapeware. However, I do agree with you that it is confusing !!

Cheers

John

[Jamie Cho]

We bought a SureStore Dat40 which came with TapeWare 6.2 (C1529-10007) and we are also trying to get it to backup network shares.

Is this version of tapeware capable of backing up network shares.

We are running it on a Windows 2000 machine and the network share servers are running Samba and Linux.

[CA756694]

The only method I have documented is for NT, but it should work for 2000.

cheers

John

_________________________

TapeWare by default only displays drives which are local to your cpu (i.e. non-mapped drives). This is because it is a very inefficient method of backing up files; slows down the speed of the backup, and strips the files of all security and compression information originally supplied by the native operating system. We highly recommend you install TapeWare on that NetWare machine for fast, and efficient backups of the valuable data stored there.
There is however a temporary workaround to your current dilemma. Open up your TapeWare.ini file and scan till you get to this place
;--------------------------------------------
; Options for the file system connector
;--------------------------------------------
There you will see a ";driveEnable=" which is currently disabled (due to the semi colon). Simply un-comment it out, and specify the mapped drive you want TapeWare to see.
Once again although this method is a quick way of backing up other systems, it is not supported by TapeWare or HP at all.
MAPPED DRIVE EXPLAINATION

The problem lies in the security features of NT.
When a service runs, it accesses system resources in the context of a user. By default TW is installed as "localsystem", that's an internal security principal that DOESN'T let the service make any network connections.
To backup network drives you need to change the security context of the TW service, eventually creating a user account trusted enough to make network connections to the desired system and that can fully access the system where it runs (Administrator equivalent).
To map a drive you can use pre/post object batch commands or permanent connections in the TW user profile.
MAPPED DRIVES WITH TW SERVICE

If you guys did not know this already???this is how you backup mapped drives while TapeWare runs as a service:

1. Make sure to have TapeWare installed with the service
2. Go to Services in the control panel of Windows
3. Locate and go to the properties of the TapeWare service
4. Go to the Logon tab
5. Instead of using the machines local user, select a user you would want to use to access the networked mapped drive
6. Stop and Start the TapeWare service.

With this, you will be able to backup your mapped drives using TapeWare???s service.