We are evaluating the Server Edition of ShadowProtect for use with our servers.  I find the scheduling options in ShadowProtect too limited to accomplish what we want to do.

We back up our servers to a pair of external removable eSATA drives. They are configured as the F: drive and G: drive on each server.  What we need to be able do is to automatically back up to drive F: during one week and to drive G: the following week.  That is, for one entire week we perform a full backup on Monday and an incrimental backup each subsequent day of the week -- all going to the first backup drive.  The next week we repeat the process using the second backup drive.  And we keep alternating on a weekly basis.  After each week is completed, that week's drive is removed, taken off site and is replaced by a previously-used drive.  In this manner, we retain one month of backups off site.

The scheduling capability of ShadowProtect does not seem to be able to support this week-by-week alternating.

Is there any chance that the scheduling capability in ShadowProtect will be enhanced to allow the same scheduling possibilities as, say, the Windows Task Scheduler?

If not, can I launch a previously-configured backup from the Windows command line?  That would allow me to use the Windows Task Scheduler to achieve my goal.

I know ShadowProtect has a script capability that could do this, but the capability is undocumented.  Can anyone help me devise the necessary scripts to do what I am trying to achieve?

Thank you
Glenn Orenstein

You've suggested one of many requests we get to customize scheduling.  While I don't see us changing the scheduler to accomodate what specifically you have requested there is a good work around we use. 

If you assign the same drive letter to both USB drives, we will recognize the change and the image retention policy will work.  You can't have them both plugged in at the same time, but as you swap the drives, the drive letter will remain unchanged and the retention policy will be implemented properly for the backup job.  Even though the previous backup isn't available, it will still recognize that backup from 2 weeks ago and act accordingly.

Scott
STC

 

I'd like to +1 the need for ShadowProtect to get up with the play in terms of clear and flexible scheduling. Yes, if one wants to drip-feed every 15 minutes then that's fine. Otherwise, other schedules do exist and with good motivations/requirements. So how about it? Shouldn't be that difficult ... all the components are in-place (service, etc.). Cheers P.

I'm afraid the workaround you have suggested is not sufficiently practical for our needs.  It requires too much effort and a knowledgeable user to work it.  To be useful to use, the solution has to be sufficiently hands-off for repeated and long-term use.  In addition, I could not expect a non-expert user to pursue your workaround.

 Because the scheduling capability of ShadowProtect is inadequate, we have had to turn to Acronis.  I truly wish it could have been otherwise.

We appreciate your feedback.

I believe all I said that was needed is that you make sure when you plug in the USB drive the first time, that you statically assign a drive letter so that as you add and remove that drive, that the same drive letter is assigned and you do that for each USB drive in your rotation set.  The fact that we will actually manage the clean up of the files on each of those drives seems to me the real savings in managing USB drive rotation.

If you have time, please report back on how your USB rotation experience goes.

Scott
STC