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DanMc-2011's avatar
DanMc-2011
Level 2
14 years ago
Solved

Backup to 3TB External USB drives

Hi,

 

We currently use Windows Server Backup (WSB) on Server 2008 to run our backups but are starting to find it's limitations.  I'm now starting to look at replacements and am interested in the Symantec System Recovery (SSR) Product.

I have a few questions that I hope someone can help with.

  • Can SSR backup to external USB 3 drives larger than 2TB?
  • Can you have more than one backup schedule?
  • Can I specify the exact backup media that I want a schedule to use?

 

Many thanks,

Dan

Backup and Recovery
SSR 2011
System Recovery
  • criley's avatar
    criley
    14 years ago

    Dan,

    I've had it confirmed that SSR does support backing up to USB 3.0 disks but only for hot backups (when the OS is running). If you re-read that TechNote, you can see it states we don't support them when backups/restores are done via the SRD:

    Symantec System Recovery (SSR) 2011 does not support USB 3.0 devices, either as Backup Destinations or as media for the Symantec Recovery Disk (SRD).

    The title of the TechNote is however misleading (I'm going to change it).

    As per my earlier comment, please confirm the make/model of the USB drive you want to use - the sector size you mention is potentially a different issue.

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  • Markus_Koestler's avatar
    Markus_Koestler
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    A look into the User's guide may answer your questions: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=DOC3911

  • criley's avatar
    criley
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    FYI: There is no such thing as a HCL for SSR/BESR.

    I don't see any reason why you cannot use a 3TB disk though.

    I'm trying to get more info on the issue with USB 3.0. Will post back here when I receive some feedback on this for you.

  • DanMc-2011's avatar
    DanMc-2011
    Level 2
    14 years ago

    Hi Chris,

    Windows Backup Server was unable to write to USB disks larger than 2TB because of the increased sector size used on these disks (4096K).  So although Windows Server it self could see the disk the backup software would not write to it.

    Thanks for respoding and wait for your response.  Ideally we want to use 3TB USB 3.0 disks.

    Thanks,

    Dan

  • criley's avatar
    criley
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    Dan,

    Can you please confirm the exact make/model of the USB drives that you want to use as your backup destination?

  • criley's avatar
    criley
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    Dan,

    I've had it confirmed that SSR does support backing up to USB 3.0 disks but only for hot backups (when the OS is running). If you re-read that TechNote, you can see it states we don't support them when backups/restores are done via the SRD:

    Symantec System Recovery (SSR) 2011 does not support USB 3.0 devices, either as Backup Destinations or as media for the Symantec Recovery Disk (SRD).

    The title of the TechNote is however misleading (I'm going to change it).

    As per my earlier comment, please confirm the make/model of the USB drive you want to use - the sector size you mention is potentially a different issue.

  • DanMc-2011's avatar
    DanMc-2011
    Level 2
    14 years ago

    Thanks for clearing that up.  The disks we bought before to use with Windows Server Backup were Western Digital - My Book Essential 3TB External USB 3.0.  I think I will download a trial and see how I get on.  Thanks for your help

  • sfuller_2's avatar
    sfuller_2
    Level 3
    14 years ago

    We've been doing hot backup on USB 3.0 for quite some time--it's about a 4X speed gain on servers 17G /minute to 75/85G/minutes.  An SRD restore at this point would always be USB 2.0 anyway.  

  • criley's avatar
    criley
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    Some more info from Microsoft that may help you guys:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2510009

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018