Hi,

I'm currently trialing shadowprotect and I am looking a way of scripting snapshots and incrementals etc. I want to be able to start/create a backup/snapshot, either full or incremental, by running a script.  

The help that came with the product suggests you can but I can't seem to find any documentation? I would like to know if this is possible? If so, where can I find the doco?

thanks

Garry

Edit: Looking at the log when manually creating a snapshot, it looks like Shadow Protect is using SBRUN.exe with a varity of command line options to create the snapshot. Anyone know where I can find doco on this?

All aspects of ShadowProtect can be controlled, from a script, through its Automation-compliant DCOM interfaces.  Unfortunately, these interfaces are extensive and it's a non-trivial task to write and maintain scripts.  I'll see if we can provide you with some sample .VBS scripts (no promises).

any documentation you have on the com objects would be great. thanks. I just need to be able to create full and incremental backups via scripts.

 Also, do you have any doco on unintended installs, and the commands/switches, of SP, both Server and desktop?

 Yeah, we have stuff like that.  Again, I'll look into the possibility of releasing a packet of such information.

Hi,

one little question before paket is released.

Under Backup > Advanced Options > Commands > Post-Backup Commands:

Is there a command line to verify all backup files in an specified folder?

All backup files means with a wildcard and for all .spf files as all the .spi files.

It would be very comfortable to verify every full or incremental file after a backup.

Even more comfortable would be a build in option "verify files automatically after backup".

Cheers 

Yeah, I've written sample scripts like that.  In fact I've posted them to this forum (in some other thread).  I'll post the latest versions of those scripts when I get into work on Monday. 

Nate, I too would appreciate the effort by StorageCraft to document the scripting capabilities of ShadowProtect.

 

On a related note, [1] is it possible to run ShadowProtect scripts from within the Recovery Environment?  [2] Is it possible to have a start-up script run automatically every time the Recovery Environment is booted?

Hi Nate,

Do you have an ETA on when you might release said SDK info?

The only reason I ask is that I'm trying to come up with a backup solution that involves scripting shadow craft and I have a deadline. If I can't meet the deadline then I will have to look at a differnt solution. :(

no pressure ;)

Thanks,

Garry

I wouldn't really call it an SDK.  More a document which describes how ShadowProtect's COM interfaces can be used, along with sample scripts.  I'll attempt to have an answer and/or ETA for you on Monday.  I must first discuss this with our CTO.

@subset

Here are some sample .CMD scripts.  You asked about a verify script - the GenerateDirectoryVerificationReport.cmd script is one which can be used periodically to verify both the data and dependencies of all image files in a given directory.

This is a SAMPLE script.  I wrote it with the intention of illustrating how this type of operation can be performed by users with their own scripts.  We don't provide official support for these scripts. 

Hi Nate,

thank you very much for taking the time to create these scripts, extraordinary support.

Cheers

 

Nate, [1] is it possible to run ShadowProtect scripts from within the Recovery Environment?  [2] Is it possible to have a start-up script run automatically every time the Recovery Environment is booted?

On a general note, Section 2.3 of the User Guide for ShadowProtect lists “Scripting and command-line support” as an available feature of the product.  Although I understand that StorageCraft doesn’t have unlimited resources, I recommend that effort be directed toward providing general documentation on that capability.  Sample scripts are indeed highly useful, but it seems that ShadowProtect doesn’t really have a “Scripting User Guide” available yet.

The recovery environment has no scripting capability.  Only the installed product can be controlled via scripts that can access Automation-compliant interfaces (such as .VBS scripts).  I understand your request and we are not ignoring it.  I had a meeting with one of our other senior engineers today about this exact topic and we're taking steps to accommodate you and others who have made this request.  At a minimum we are going to make some adjustments to our service to prevent users who DO write scripts from using them improperly (for instance - creating job types which are supported by the service but aren't visible within the current GUI).  I have to have a discussion with our CTO before I can provide more information on this and commitments for additional samples, etc.  I'll let you know when this has occurred.  His schedule is booked for the next two weeks so please be patient.

Nate, thank you for the reply and for advocating within StorageCraft the need for improved documentation for the scripting capability.  I second the comments of “Subset” who said previously, “extraordinary support.”

You're quite welcome.  :)