Last Updated on 29 Sept. 2014, Company: Symantec
Symantec Backup Exec 11d for Windows Servers provides granular protection for a wide variety of applications including Microsoft SQL and Exchange with key agents.
Symantec Backup Exec Agent for Exchange Server - A technology to protect vital Exchange Server 5.5, 2000 and 2003 data while the application is online. This agent provides full or incremental, or differential backup and restore of embedded objects, attributes, and all Outlook components. Restore can automatically mount the Exchange database upon completion of a restore job, which ensures a valid database is brought back online quickly. Use of the Single Instance Storage feature eliminates backup of duplicate information by storing only the first instance of attachments distributed to multiple mailboxes.
For Microsoft Windows Exchange 2003 Server support, the mailbox or message level restores from a full traditional backup does not require installation of a separate Exchange 2003 server. When running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the Backup Exec Agent for Exchange Server has added support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Volume Snapshot (VSS) technology enabling the user to select either the VERITAS or the Microsoft proprietary frozen image technology for protecting open files. The agent provides the ability to perform consistency check before backup when using Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service.
Poor poor poor
Ok if you are only backing up small servers in a basic environment, but try and use it in any real world setup and it's weaknesses become all too apparent. Product is full of bugs, support is ridiculously poor. OK if you want to spend ages trying to force it to work with exchange and putting security holes all over the place. Version 10d though is a great improvement over version 9.x but still a long way to go.
If you backing up exchange....look elsewhere
Backup Exec - The worst product ever!!!
I will never recommend Veritas products to anyone. My experience with them and their software is terrible. They have the worst documentations for their products. Keep away and save your aggravation !!!
Veritas Sucks
It is the worst!!!! Most over-rated program on the planet!!! It never works with windows drivers, and sometime even with its own. The supposedly "GOLD" product support that you wait on hold for 2+ hours for and pay over $1000.00 dollars for is the ice breaker I will never by nor use another veritas product as long as I live. This is the most problems I have ever experienced I can get micrsoft's backup to work for now.
MCSD
Depends on size of your server farm
We have 180 servers and we find it buggy. If you have a server farm as large as ours, find a "lights out" product.
Veritas Backup Exec for Windows
Has been a reliable companion for 2+ years in 3-server LAN. Flexible scheduling, Exchange Server and SQL database accommodations, Remote Agents, Open File options, choice of folder/tape media, virus scanning, easy interface. Quick to install. Good tech support.
Backup Exec
Brilliant Software! You can't go wrong with it, start and stop backup services without server having to go down with it. I highly recommend it.
Veritas
Don't let the price listed scare you..this is available in a variety of forms even an affordable small bus option.
It is particularly better than the built in back in 200 srv (which is a cut down version!)..with exchange the abilty to restore a single email, or mailbox rather than the entire database is a huge saving.
And, although not recommended..the data recovery option will work for a full server upgrade..backup, then restore onto a new, more powerful box, very easily.
Lan Support