Main server// Hot backup

[southeasternMI]

Anyone have a hot server running to backup their main server? What I would like to do is have a fully configured, running server as a backup to our main server; with out using double take or X-link. I would like to have a server that mirrors the main server right down to the IP address. I would disable the NIC and connect to network and if the main goes down simply enable NIC (duel NIC maybe) and off you go, the only issue would be the MAC, but we would have 45 days to request a new system license?

Any thoughts

What do you guys do for your disaster recovery?

[Forum]

We (as a Shoretel Partner) make nightly backups of the customers configuration database to our Home Office. (We don't backup CDR's or VM's, JUST configuration DB and Prompts for AA/Wg, etc).

We have a spare server loaded with Win 2003, ready to have ST loaded (Older SC600 with a few gigs of ram). If a customer called up, and there server had a hardware issue, we can load the version of ST they are currently running, and load there DB, and deliver it to the site. That's a special feature that WE DO for our customers, free of charge.

Now, If I were the administrator of a Shoretel system, I would do a daily backup of the sytem with Acronis, Bare metal restore option. If the main server died, I'd load it on a machine running VMware server (not ideal, but we are talking about an emergency here).

standby servers are so passe'

[skone]

Chris,

What software do you use for the remote backups?

[Forum]

we have a custom script written that packages the files/db, and then lists the contents (Success/Failure status, etc), and that zips it up for transer. The transfer and script is actually run from our Managed Services client (Kasaya). It's an automated process. We don't even have to tell it to run. When the script runs, it looks for 'particular files' that only a Shoretel Server would have. If it's located, then it runs. We did this so we wouldn't have to specifically identify Shoretel Servers. Our Managed Services department is busy enough as it is, and we didn't want to increase the burden.

The whole reason we decided to do this is because "we" are a Data vendor First, Phones second. We understand the need for backups, and recovery, but we can't always control the enduser's enviornment or backup plan, especially if we are only their phone vendor, so we tried to come up with a plan that cover our asses. If a customer's server ever crashes, the first call they are going to make is to me. I'd rather re-assure them we can get them back up and running, then to say "I hope you have a recent backup".

with that said, we still press the importance of backups. remember, we don;t backup CDR's or VM's. This is a "HAIL MARY".

It's a cool sales tool too. You should hear the reaction we get by some IT guys when we do a demo and bring this up.

[southeasternMI]

Charles,
I see what you are saying and I bet your backup/disaster recovery option is a deal closer. This customer has the $$ and wants no more then a 20 minutes of down time, so to me this is the only option we have, especally if they want to plug and play. It does seem like a waste of hardware, but pennies compared to their down time.

[eazeaz]

Script

Charles,

Is there any way for me to get a copy of the script?

Just Wondering. I don't think I have backed up my server in a while.

[bang11]

Do you have any guidelines for a local backup of the ST server? Do you need special agents for the backup software, such as open files or DB?

TIA

[Forum]

Charles,

Is there any way for me to get a copy of the script?

Just Wondering. I don't think I have backed up my server in a while.

I tried once before to get the script, but portions are written directly into the Kasaya interface, and Managed services doesn't like me poking around in there...just like I don't like them poking around in my phone systems.

[Forum]

Charles,
I see what you are saying and I bet your backup/disaster recovery option is a deal closer. This customer has the $$ and wants no more then a 20 minutes of down time, so to me this is the only option we have, especally if they want to plug and play. It does seem like a waste of hardware, but pennies compared to their down time.

Shoretel provides Resiliency, Budget determines Redundancy. The only real way is to use Doubletake, Clustering, or that "other" server solution that's like $25,000. Pick your poison.

[cburgy]

We have a variety of approaches that are taken depending on the customer and the type of support contract...

We have one customer that uses a solution like Doubletake and maintains a live hot-spare of the HQ server.

A lot of our customers (and we do this ourselves) use Backup Exec to take backups of Shoretel.

For some of our customers, we are now bundling our Backup & Disaster Recovery solution which includes a server that does disk to disk backup of the entire server (does daily snapshots and keeps an archive) and can virtualize the server within about 10 minutes of failure of the main server. Granted, there are voicemail quality issues with virtualization but this gets them back live almost immediately until replacement hardware can be arranged on the main server.

We, like Charles, also monitor our customer's servers...

[cburgy]

I tried once before to get the script, but portions are written directly into the Kasaya interface, and Managed services doesn't like me poking around in there...just like I don't like them poking around in my phone systems.

Can't we all play nice? LOL

[Forum]

Can't we all play nice? LOL

I was on their side (still am in a way). I'm still a Network Engineer...as well as everything else I do. I have a 120hr project coming up migrating a network from win2000 to win2003, with all new servers. No phones involved there.

But I am glad I don't have to work the help desk...

[southeasternMI]

Why would I need to spend money on Double take or X-link, when I can do the same thing with a spare server that is getting backs (may have to be manual) from the main server. If I can get around the MAC issue and have it loaded identical to the main server, all I would have to do is move a cable.
This is a emergency only usage, so want would be the pros of using double take?

[cburgy]

Why would I need to spend money on Double take or X-link, when I can do the same thing with a spare server that is getting backs (may have to be manual) from the main server. If I can get around the MAC issue and have it loaded identical to the main server, all I would have to do is move a cable.
This is a emergency only usage, so want would be the pros of using double take?

You enjoy spending all of your budget....

[[email protected]]

Why would I need to spend money on Double take or X-link, when I can do the same thing with a spare server that is getting backs (may have to be manual) from the main server. If I can get around the MAC issue and have it loaded identical to the main server, all I would have to do is move a cable.
This is a emergency only usage, so want would be the pros of using double take?

Sorry to bring this old thread, but I thought to share an idea and see any response on it.
The idea is that: There are a number of "MAC Spoofing Software" that can get you around the MAC address problem (One such a tool is <TMAC> from "technitium"). I wonder if such setup would work? If anybody out there has tried it, please share your experience!