Dedicated Backups (we need a user accessible interface)

[morovan]

Recently CT switched to an alternate backup system, which we no longer have access to as we did with ntBackup.  When the need to restore files comes up, it is usually a time sensitive matter.

This morning I realized that I had deleted some important files while moving a site.  In the past I would just log on as the backup user, run ntBackup, and voila my files were restored.

Now, I have to log in to the control panel, submit a support ticket, wait to hear from level 1 support that the ticket was transferred to the server team, then wait (and I am still waiting) for the files to be restored.

We are paying for dedicated backups, we need a way to restore the files ourselves.  We did not make the decision to switch from ntBackup, so I don't understand why we are being penalized.  IMHO, CT should not have switched from ntBackup until they had a system in place to allow us to restore files the way we always have.

At the very least, dedicated backup restore requests should go directly to the server team rather than the level 1 support team first.

[rogeriopereira]

I totally agree with you regarding this topic.

I posted a message months ago and I have already sent many tickets to CT regarding the availability of a user interface to restore files, without the need for CT support action.

Is CT working on it?

I miss ntbackup a lot!

[Flash]

I third this motion.  It's really starting to cause a lot more work (and problems) on our end.

[morovan]

I ended up backing up some of the files locally (mailboxes) every night because I had enough space on the hard drive.  This way I don't have to contact CT to do a restore, I can just pull them off the local backup using ntBackup.

[brianc]

bump...  is there any further discussion on having access to a UI for restore?

[Flash]

It took 6 hours to have 1 file restored the other day.  This just isn't working.  We need a user interface for restores.

[morovan]

I think we should all cancel dedicated backups with CT and use a third party unless they get this fixed immediately.  Its been close to two years and no gui for restoring?  To anyone considering dedicated backups take notice, what is this 1998 still?

[brianc]

No responses to any of the threads over here...   

[morovan]

It's really disgusting...

[Derek [CT]]

Previous versions of CommVault, the enterprise level backup solution we use, didn't have a way to interface on a customer-by-customer basis. With a more recent release of their client software there is more accessibility via command line, but we would need to integrate that into the WebCC ourselves. It's been discussed but not scheduled.

As a quicker alternative we are discussing priority levels for restore requests. High, medium and low options with SOPs attached to each. We created a new restore request form in the WebCC - we can possibly just add something to that.

An additional alternative would be to forgo the remote CommVault backups and put an extra drive in your server and use the local backup tool to set up backups to that extra drive. It may not give you a full system and file backup that CommVault does, but it is an option for specific sites, files, etc. It could even be an addition to the enterprise backups we offer.

[Flash]

Yes, please add a 2nd HD for backups.  That would be magic as most of our restore requests are very simple and could be covered by a local backup.

[morovan]

If it is anything like the rest of the add-ons, it would not be cost effective . . . unless that is what our backup fee is going to cover.

[kurogers]

It's ridiculous to pay for dedicated backup service without, at the very least, a UI to confirm that the service is being performed as expected.  There has been ample time for the company to consider an alternate solution or to lower the cost of the service to accomodate for the inconvenience.  Waiting 6 hours for one file to be restored is unacceptable IMO.  Has anyone else implemented an alternate backup solution? 

[morovan]

At this point anyone considering CT for dedicated hosting should know that it is a joke right now.  I started this post 2 years ago, and still no user accessible solution?  Come on CT, at least give us an FTP option!

[KevinS]

I have a suggestion that may work for you, for the time being..

On our shared servers, we have a service called Shadow Copy. Here is a link to a wikipedia article discussing Shadow Copy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Copy

Im not entirely sure how it works, and instead of describing it incorrectly, you should probably just read the article :-).

But near as I can tell, it uses the System Restore files of Windows to give you, the admin, a Previous Versions tab in the properties of a file or folder. Its really nifty, and admittedly, it does not replace a backup UI, but until one is deployed, its a pretty nice interface for replacing one or two files or folders. I know we use Shadow Copy on our servers, and its even easier than going to CommVault most the time.

So, as Derek said, Commvault is definitely becoming more versatile, and it sounds like we are exploring a UI for restores, but for the time being, I really hope that shadow copies can do some good for you guys.

/Modify

I think its worth noting also that Shadow Copy does not replace Dedicated Backups, as Dedicated Backups are off server, and Shadow Copy just runs off of the same 'backups' as System Restore.