[Linux-HA] Backup

[Alan Robertson]

Kenneth Geisshirt wrote:
> I know that the subject is a bit off-list but since you're involved in 
> HA solutions you might have though about backup ;-).
> 
> Currently I'm working on a project where we use a number of server 
> pairs. Each pair is coupled using heartbeat.
> 
> But the problem is that backup vendor isn't too happy about heartbeat 
> (or rather, they are not happy with "untested" software components) as 
> heartbeat is an addon to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (added by me). Please 
> tell me about your experiences on heartbeat and commercial backup software.
> 
> Btw, the mission-critical data is stored on a SAN from IBM. I don't 
> think we need to do backup of the servers - a reinstall will not take 
> that long.


Heartbeat is just an application program.  It does *nothing* at the kernel 
level.  It does not stand between the backup software and the data they 
want to back up.  It has a minimal memory footprint, and minimal CPU needs. 
  If their backup software is being started by heartbeat, you're probably 
using their init script to start it.

I'm afraid I don't understand how they think it might interfere with their 
product...

If you can give me a contact at the backup vendor, I'd like to understand 
their issues better.  If this is IBM, I *definitely* want their contact 
information.

Brian Tinsley is working in the same industry with similar hardware.  He 
could tell you more about his backup experiences (but if they were bad, I'd 
know).


-- 
     Alan Robertson <alanr at unix.sh>

"Openness is the foundation and preservative of friendship...  Let me claim 
from you at all times your undisguised opinions." - William Wilberforce