August 23, 2007

Scheduled system maintenance for ucbackup (Adding Storage):
  Date                            :  August 29, 2007
  Outage Start/End Time:  12pm - 6PM
  Description                   :  System will not be accessable until the storage is added.    

August 16, 2007

The schedule maintenance for SAN Microcode upgrade  has been rescheduled to :
    Date                            :  Sunday August 19, 2007
    Outage Start/End Time:  5AM - 5PM

The backup systems will not be accessible during the following time frame.  

August 03, 2007

There is a scheduled SAN Microcode upgrade that will affect access to the backup servers .   The backup systems will not be accessible during the following time frame:

    Date                            :  Saturday August 18, 2007
    Outage Start/End Time:  5AM - 5PM

June 28, 2007

June 11, 2007

UCbackup service will be reducing rates to $0.30/GB per month starting in June 2007.   This change is automatic to all current and new users.   The lower rate will be reflected in your July 2007 billing.  This rate will also be automatically applied to the users that have subscribed to RESEARCH SUBSIDY ($0.15/GB per month until the funds run out) - for the ones who have not subscribed to RESEARCH SUBSIDY please follow the instructions here.

May 31, 2007

MacOS Users:  
  There are significant changes to the TSM Client for MacOS which may
  cause problems after upgrading: 

   5.2.x ==> Was the 1st port to OS X no significant changes from previous
             version.
   5.3.x ==> Some versions was same as 5.2 but added unicode support.
   5.3.x ==> Later 5.3.x versions added UNIX pathing which may cause
             issues (note that some user may not see any problems).
   5.4.x ==> Intel architecture was introduce and complier change
             was needed.  This code based has removed legacy MacOS API
             calls to the OS and converted to full integration with the
             unix environment.
             
   When upgrade between these versions, it is recommend that you cooridinate
   with UCBackup to either have your filespace renamed or deleted before you
   upgrade.   Note that once we complete our part you will have to
   upgrade before you next schedule backup or delay your backups otherwise
   you will have to repeat this.  Please contact UCBackup if you have
   any questions about this. 
  
   As for which version should you use we recommend 5.4 but it really
   depends on your OS Version.   Backup products usually have tight
   intergration with the OS where an OS upgrade may break the backup
   process.   Check our website for client requirements. 

May 24, 2007

UCBackup Server ran into an issue on May 24 which required a reboot of the machine hence there may be a gap in your weekly for the week of end 05/26/2007 or the daily summary may not be sent out for 05/24/2007. 

We apologize for this inconvenience.   

Also on a brighter note the UCBackup rate will be dropping to $0.30/GB per month starting June 1st.   This change will be reflected in your July bills and will be applied automatically.  

May 1, 2007

UCBackup Monthly reports for May 1, 2007 ran into a glitch for some system in reporting the occupancy.   If you need to know what your occupancy is please send us an email and your node name and we can generate the information and send it out to you manually.   

We apologize for this inconvenience.  

April 16, 2007

UCBackup has completed its online application for UCBackup Service.  Please see http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/getstarted.html for information on the new procedures.  

We will continue accepting application until April 30, 2007 but please start using the online application.  

Please also note the following changes:

1. Update Department's Chart String (COA).  
2. Update/rename TSM Node information.

April 6, 2007

New reporting has been implemented.  Please see the following URL for more information:
http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/report.html

March 2, 2007

Any upgrades to 5.4 please review the READMEs and manuals concerning changes that may affect your environment.   Also see http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/software.html.  

Windows Users only use version 5.4.0.2.   If you have older versions please get rid of them.  

February 9, 2007

UCBackup has scheduled system maintenance on Tuesday 02/13/2007 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.   The system will not be accessible during this  time frame. 

February 1, 2007

As some of you may have notice that the TSM 5.4 Client code have recently been release and posted on the UCBackup website.  

This version has been pulled from the UCBackup website due to a problem found with the preference editor and the setup wizard.   The two problems found are:  

1. Apar IC51657 - V5.4 WINDOWS CLIENT SETUP WIZARD WILL REMOVE INCLUDE/EXCLUDE STATEMENTS FROM OPTIONS FILE IF USED FOR SCHEDULER OR WEB GUI
   
   This should not affect upgrades if the TSM Scheduler/Web Client is already configured or if  an include/exclude list does not exist.   This will affect users that need to configure/re-configure their setup via the setup wizard.  
   
   This problem can cause more data to be backed up than intended. 
   
   
2. APAR IC51756 – Using the Preference Editor can reorder the include/exclude list.  
   
   The second problem can cause data to be excluded when it should be included or vice versa.  Currently this has only been seen on the Windows version but may affect others.

If you have upgraded from a previous version, please check your include/exclude list  in your dsm.opt.  

As recommended from our web site the TSM 5.4.0.0 Client is very new and it is NOT recommend at this time unless you need OS/Architecture support or a specific fix.   

Please let us know if you have any questions (ucbackup@berkeley.edu).

January 29, 2007

TSM Client version 5.4 has been released.   Please note this is the a new client and it is NOT recommend that user upgrade to this version except for the following:

- OS/Architecture support such as Windows Vista or Intel Mac.  
- Laptops or systems getting a dynamic IP address via DHCP.  
- A fix for a specific problems.  

January 23, 2007

Event     :  UCBackup Service and IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM)
Speakers  :  IBM and UCBackup
Location  :  University Hall Room 150 (Occupancy 80)
Date      :  Monday January 29, 2007
Time      :
             Session 1 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
             Session 2 – 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm
            
             Both sessions will cover the same material

Purpose   :

         The purpose of this event will be to introduce the UCBackup Service
         and TSM Software to the UC Berkeley population.   It will include
         information on cost, retention, backup/restore process, backup
         strategy and any question you may have on the TSM Software or the
         UCBackup Service. 

Agenda    :   
1. Introductions.
2. How data is protected.   
   a. What is UCBackup
   b. Cost
   c. Retention
   d. Backup/Archive processes
3. Install, Configure and Backup
4. Restore
5. Other Q/A


Every one is welcome to attend.  If you know some one who is interested in this service then please forward them this message. 

If you wish to print a copy of the presentations, they will be post here on Friday January 26:

1.   1 TSM UCB training Data Protected.ppt
2.   2 TSM UCB training Backup.ppt
3.   3 TSM UCB training Restores.ppt

If you have any questions please send email to ucbackup@berkeley.edu.

January 18, 2007

There will be a service interruption due to backup server maintenance on Friday, 1/26/07 11am-3pm. 

RESEARCH SUBSIDY Information

The backup services subsidy for researchers, 50% of the approved standard backup recharge rate, will be applied to qualified accounts beginning February 1, 2007.  The reduced charges will be seen by customers beginning with the March 1 billing.  The current standard backup recharge rate is $0.50 per GB of occupancy, per month.   If a reduction in the standard recharge rate is approved in the future, the 50% research subsidy will apply to the new standard rate.  No reduction in the standard recharge rate is anticipated before March 1, 2007.   The Vice Chancellor for Research has decided that both new and existing accounts will be eligible for the subsidy; instructions for applying online through the UCBackup website are included below.  Note that previously canceled accounts will be handled as new applications.

Based on current overall occupancy for campus backup services, it is anticipated that the subsidy can be maintained for 6-18 months.  At that time, continuing charges for data backed up under the program and maintained on the system may revert to the standard rate in effect at that time.


Here are instructions for setting up the service:

I.   New Service
     1.  Go to http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/getstarted.html
         and download the UC Backup Account Application.
     2.  Fill in the application and put
         "RESEARCH SUBSIDY" next to your department and in the
         Additional Information section.
     3.  Submit the application to User & Account Services (UAS).
         See application for contact info.

II.  Existing service
     1.  Go to http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/getstarted.html
         and download the UC Backup Account Application.
     2.  Check "Update my workstation information" under action requested
         You MUST provide a UCBackup node name or tracking number.
     3.  Put "RESEARCH SUBSIDY" next to your department and in the
         Additional Information section.
     4.  Update other information concerning your account, as necessary.
     5.  Submit the application to User & Account Services (UAS).
         See application for contact info.

III. Restarting service that has been previously cancelled
     Please follow the process for New Service. 
     1.  Go to http://ucbackup.berkeley.edu:9180/getstarted.html
         and download the UC Backup Account Application.
     2.  Fill in the application and put
         "RESEARCH SUBSIDY" next to your department and in the
         Additional Information section.
     3.  Submit the application to User & Account Services (UAS).
         See application for contact info.

December 21, 2006

UCBackup Client management portal is having some issues due to infrastructure changes.   With these changes this site will be retired but will continue to  run as is for users that can still access it.  If you run into an issue here such as resetting password please contact ucbackup@berkeley.edu and we can assist you with this.  We will be exploring other option to replacing this system. 

October 28, 2006

There will be a service interruption due to backup server maintenance on Monday, 10/30/06 12pm-3pm.  

September 13, 2006

To our Backup customers: After an RFP process we have selected IBM's Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) as our universal backup software for UC Berkeley IST services, aka UCBACKUP. Existing IST backup service accounts that use EMC's Legato Networker will be transitioned to TSM over the next year. The IST Storage and Backup Group (SBG), which administers TSM and Networker, will be contacting current IST Networker account holders to plan the transition of their service. Access to data backed up via Networker will be maintained until normal expiration under the terms of the account. SBG is committed to provide assistance to account holders for the efficient installation and configuration of the new TSM backup service.

Tape encryption capabilities will be available to all UCBackup customers by Q2 of 2007.

We discovered a problem with our reporting system where users were either not billed or only partially billed (half of the node's occupancy). This problem has been corrected and if you have received the UCBackup Monthly Report for August backups, the occupancy should reflect the system's total occupancy. Please note that your August 2006 Backup Billing Statement will NOT reflect this change and correct billing will start with your September 2006 backups. For users that have never been billed then your August 2006 billing will reflect the correct charges. Other changes to UCBackup:

a. Starting in September 2006 there will be a minimum $1/month charge which will include 2GB of occupancy on the backup servers. The rate after the initial 2GB will stay the same at $0.50/GB per month.

b. In the coming months we will also be retrofitting our weekly and monthly reports. The new reporting will be more accurate and contain additional information on your backups.

c. Some users may also notice that they received "daily" notices only for Missed/Failed backups. This is a new feature and is enabled for all new users that have requested reports. If you do not wish to receive these notices, then please contact us at ucbackup@ccsmail.berkeley.edu with your TSM node name and tracking number (if available). If the reports need to go to a technical contact, then please send their information (name and email). Existing users can have this feature enabled by sending us the same information. NOTE: These messages can only go to one email address, therefore if multiple contacts need this notice then please create an email alias and provide that to us.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact us at ucbackup@ccsmail.berkeley.edu. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

-UCBackup staff