[SLL] Backup software

[Jules Agee]

We're currently using BackupPC and Veritas NetBackup. We're considering
evaluating Bacula to replace BackupPC and, just maybe, NetBackup too if
Bacula proves itself rock solid over time, and works with a Storagetek
L80 library. I'd really appreciate it if those of you with Bacula
experience could let me know what you think of it.

Current problems include:
* BackupPC reliability questions (there have been a couple unexplained
and silent backup failures, several directories were just missing in a
full backup, but caught in a later incremental)
* Open/locked file problems (Outlook .pst files on desktops, for example)
* The cost of NetBackup client licenses
* Lack of NetBackup support for Debian.

I'm hoping Bacula can solve these issues. I don't know how much admin
time it requires for setup and on an ongoing basis, and I know nothing
about its reliability. I know the Bacula client supports VSS snapshots
on XP & later to solve the issue with locked files, it's free, and
Debian's supported. Three outta four...

NetBackup officially supports SUSE and we already run both SUSE &
Debian, so at first we will probably run Bacula on SUSE, backup all
desktop and some server data to hard drives, and then use NetBackup to
get the Bacula server(s) on tape to take off-site.

If anyone would like to recommend another backup software package that
addresses these issues, either commercial or Free (we have a decent
budget for this), I'd appreciate hearing about them too.

Thanks in advance!

--
Jules Agee