Yonke@USC-ECL.ARPA.UUCP (02/24/87)
I apologize to start with -- I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but I missed it. Send replies to me or to the list, whichever is most appropriate. Our vax cluster is getting VERY full and we are in need of an archive system. In addition to normal VMS useage, we also use the cluster as a fileserver for a variety of machines and this makes things worse. Even though we have massive disk cleanups, we are finally running out of space. Our users (many not sophisticated in VMS) would be willing to move files "offline" but only if they are easily retrivable. They are familiar with the archive system on TOPS20 (and most like it very much). Question: What archive systems are there for VMS -- either public domain or commercial? Are there any that resemble TOPS20? This lack seems like a major flaw in VMS -- is DEC planning on fixing it (i.e. should I just wait for release x.y)? Could you send a small description of how files get moved offline (automatic or request); how do you request a retrival; does the system keep track of where files are or does the user; and anything else that is important? Thanks, Martin -------
McGuire_Ed@GRINNELL.MAILNET.UUCP (03/04/87)
>Could you send a small description of how files get moved offline >(automatic or request); how do you request a retrival; does the system >keep track of where files are or does the user; and anything else that >is important? We move all students' files offline at the end of each school year. Other users' files remain online. The files are archived using BACKUP, and stored on magnetic tape. The user requests a retrieval by indicating on a form which files s/he needs for the next school year. Directory listings are provided if requested. Our procedure was ported from our old PDP/RSTS/E environment. It's simple and predictable from the user point of view. However, we usually run short of disk space near the end of the year. I'm looking for alternate ways of archiving that operate throughout the year, and would be easy for the user. Please let me know what you find out. Thanks! Ed McGuire Grinnell College MCGUIRE@GRIN2.BITNET
sasaki@harvard.UUCP.UUCP (03/05/87)
Strategic Information (part of ZDTICo, the company that I work for) has an archiving system for VMS. There are several others out there, but they all basically work the same. Files to be archived are entered into a database and are then written to tape or optical disk. Most systems (ours does) write two copies, just in case something happens to one copy. Once the copy has been made, the original is deleted from disk. Optionally, the delete can be skipped. The owner of a file can retrieve a file at any time. The database is scanned to find out where the file has been archived, and an operator request is made to mount the proper tape. There are also utility programs to fix the database, to do tape compression (removing files that have been "deleted" from the database), and other housekeeping chores. Archiver (that's what it's called) doesn't replace backup, and isn't a tape management system. It archives files onto tape or optical disk, and does this in a fairly straightforward, easy to use way. I haven't tried anyone else's archiving system, but would suspect that they would function in much the same way, after all, how many ways are there to do this? ---------------- Marty Sasaki uucp: harvard!sasaki Ziff Davis Technical Information Co. arpa: sasaki@harvard.harvard.edu 80 Blanchard Road bitnet: sasaki@harvunxh Burlington, MA 01803 phone: 617-273-5500
WOLF@BBNG.UUCP.UUCP (03/05/87)
I've looked at Archiver, and I think it does what Marty described, but I think there's an omission that makes it not so useful in some cases -- correct me if I'm wrong. The key is Marty's phrase, "The owner can ...". Looks like Archiver is a "personal" system, in that only the owner can archive a file and only the owner can refer to and retrieve a file, regardless of the VMS access allowed. This seems quite inconvenient when a group shares a group of files. Jerry Wolf BBN Laboratories Inc.
sasaki@HARVARD.HARVARD.EDU.UUCP (03/26/87)
A long time ago, Jerry Wolf made the comment that he thought that Archiver was a personal system. I just got around to cleaning up my mailbox and noticed this posting. I am sorry to report, that archiver is indeed a personal system, one can only retrieve files that you have archived. Of course system accounts can retrieve anyone's files. There is talk of adding group support or ACL's or some mechanism to allow groups of users to archive and retrieve files. I would be very interested in hearing from people who would purchase Archiver if it had this feature, or those who chose the competition. Sorry if that last paragraph was too commercial. I am sure that I will be slapped around by it. If you want to flame, flame me personally, I will tally, extract anything juicy, and post the results. ---------------- Marty Sasaki uucp: harvard!sasaki Ziff Davis Technical Information Co. arpa: sasaki@harvard.harvard.edu 80 Blanchard Road bitnet: sasaki@harvunxh Burlington, MA 01803 phone: 617-273-5500