Agility Now (Part 07 of 10): Painless Data Protection: Webcast (10-18-2006)

Good day all my data protectors!

Thank you for attending the web cast on the painless data protection, part 7 of 10. I hope you are all enjoying all 10 parts of the web cast series and if you have not had a chance to see the first 6 parts take a look at my previous entry on the series for more information: https://blogs.technet.com/matthewms/archive/2006/09/12/455674.aspx

A special thanks to John Baker and Jason Buffington for helping out with the Q/A log. A special thanks to Jason for taking a few moments on talking about DPM v2. There were several questions and before I get to them, I wanted to share with you some resources:

You can watch a stream of the web cast here:
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032306327&Culture=en-US

Jason is doing and upcoming webcast on DPM onOctober 27, 2006 @ 9:30 AM PST register here: A First Look at System Center Data Protection Manager Version 2

You can download DPMv2 beta software here: https://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dpm/beta/overview.mspx

Without any more delay here are the questions.  Please comment or email if you need more information.

Question: Is Storage Server available in a stand-alone SKU or only with OEM hardware?
Answer: Storage Server comes only with OEM hardware

Question: Does it backup Linux servers?
Answer: No, this product is designed to integrate seamlessly into heterogeneous environments with support for all major network operating system protocols including NFS (Unix/Linux), Netware (Novell), AppleTalk, and HTTP.

Question: Do you have any thoughts of making this not limited to OEMs?
Answer: I think it's a question of certification, like the Windows Server 2003 Datacenter OS is only available from OEMs with certified platforms

Question: How do Storage Server Manager and Data Protection Manager differ?
Answer: Microsoft Data Protection Manager V2.0 (DPMv2) is a full featured data protection product designed to protect Microsoft Applications and the Microsoft Servers. Data Protection Manager (DPM) is designed to be the new standard for Windows data protection -- delivering continuous data protection for Microsoft application and file servers using seamlessly integrated disk and tape media. DPM enables rapid and reliable recovery through advanced technology for enterprises of all sizes. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is a dedicated file and print server based on Windows technology that is designed for dependability, ease of integration, and value. This network storage product, previously referred to as Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS), is the new release of the operating system used by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to create NAS devices.

Question: So, this looks very similar to DPM, but with the OEM limitation. Am I close on this?
Answer: No. Besides being dedicated exclusively to file serving, Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 contains some important features not available in Windows Server 2003. These features include an advanced storage manager for file filtering and quota management, a new Network File System (NFS) server to improve performance, and a fully integrated Web-based user interface for remote management. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 also incorporates Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) for point-in-time shadow copy capabilities, support for the enhanced version of distributed file system (DFS), and support for the Microsoft Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) Software Initiator.

Question: Can a storage server running the old Windows Powered NAS be upgraded to Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
Answer: No. it's only available from OEMs on their hardware.

Question: What manufacturers OEM WSS?
Answer: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/wss2003/howtobuy/default.mspx

Question: Is Shadow copy only available with WIN2003
Answer: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/scr.mspx

Question: Is there a risk of users overwriting a whole directory?
Answer: No because they'll be a previous copy

Question: Does this backup and recovery work well with SharePoint Portal?
Answer: No, Shadow copies are not intended to be used for document version control. Rather, they are point-in-time copies, which are created on a scheduled basis. SharePoint is used in situation where you need version control.

Question: Do you then backup the DPM server for offsite?
Answer: Yes, the DPM agent on the production servers will send the byte-changes of your files to the DPM server (often already remote). Then, run tape against the DPM server for long term retention

Question: When my DPM server dies, how do I recreate the disk where the data was stored in a disaster recovery?
Answer: The DPMBACKUP utility and/or any third-party tape backup product that uses the DPM SDK will allow you to recover the DPM server

Question: Can you backup the DPM data to USB disk for remote storage?
Answer: DPM2006 needs to use locally attached storage but DPMv2 will address this.

Question: Is there trial software available?
Answer: Yes: https://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dpm/evaluation/trial.mspx

Question: What if a user that deletes a document on a document library in SharePoint?
Answer: SharePoint support is coming with DPMv2 beta2

Question: So this is a Disk to Disk then to tape solution....
Answer: DPM2006 is Disk to Disk natively, then to Tape via 3rd party backup

Question: How can multiple people look at the DPM console
Answer: To use DPM Administrator Console, you must be logged on to the DPM server under an account that has administrator or backup operator privileges. DPM Administrator Console runs locally on the DPM server, but you can access the console remotely by using a Remote Desktop connection.

Question: What is the expected release date for DPMv2?
Answer: DPMv2 beta 2is expected early spring, with a RTM around late summer

Question: So the DPM disk needs to be about 1.5 times the total size of the data to be protected?
Answer: usually - so that you have space for the live data, plus shadow copies... but depending on data change rate, this can change. There is some good guidance in this in the DPM help files

Question: When two people try to look at the DPM console I receive a message that only one can view at a time?
Answer: Only one user can be logged on to DPM Administrator Console at a time. There is no way around this.

Question: Does it have bit level continuous data protection
Answer: YES - we are tracking bytes/blocks changed -- not whole file

Question: Is there a command line utility that would allow me to restore files quickly?
Answer: There is, an advanced restore scenarios whitepaper is coming this month. Be looking for it very soon.

Question: Will V2 support multiple forests without having to have a separate DPM server for each forest?
Answer: YES - as long as there is a trust between the DPM servers' domain and the production server, with DPM v2.

Question: Can you use offline Disks (I.e. usb disk instead of tape...)
Answer: I don't believe so for beta-1, but this may change by beta-2.