Backup Exec and the Command Line

A Backup Article Contributed by M. Larose

Backup Exec and the Command Line

Yes, it you are a tortured soul and enjoy the command line as a daily interaction, Backup Exec can be run from the command line. Backup Exec can do a lot of things so why not a command line run? Its GUI interface is there to help and was designed to prevent the need of having to learn how to prompt from the command line, although any systems administrator worth the weight should know how to do so anyway. It is a necessary aspect of being a systems administrator.

So, Backup Exec accommodates those with command line skills and documents the use of the command line with the product as well as those in need of a less challenging backup process.

What Does Backup Exec Do?

Backup Exec is a complete backup software package aimed at medium-to-large data rich enterprises. It offers the user a suite of tools for swift and protected backup of networks and data. The world of data grows daily and the storage requirements, backup requirements, and network needs of many companies shifts and changes with the data growth.

The backup window grows smaller and smaller for many of these companies requiring more and more of them to have the capability of backup while users are working with files and applications. Backup Exec is designed to make these types of backup needs run smoothly and with the greatest speed available.

Backup Exec Has Intelligence

One of the Backup Exec selling points is its Intelligent Image Option. This feature will provide fast backup and less CPU processing. It does so by separating file information, known as meta data, from actual data and backs the data and metadata separately. The intelligence of Backup Exec lies in its ability to avoid including the unused or temporary-usage space, which reduces the volume of space required to store the backup, and it reduces the time frame the backup occurs in.

Backup Exec shows further intelligence when it allows a network administrator to backup files that are actually open and in use. This lessens the impact on productivity of employees and offers a seamless and invisible way to protect data. The more Backup Exec can reduce the amount of data being copied the more it can speed up your backup process.

Backup Exec and Its Command Line

So one might consider again why you might use the command line if the product offers an interface that deals with all the processes so clearly and quickly. Backup Exec offers options to its processes so the network administrator can take full advantage of the products features. It's as simple as that.

Through a command line applet, the intelligent image option can be accessed. The command line can only allow for interaction with one server at a time. From a command line use the command bemcmd and follow it with the appropriate string indicating which functions and utilities you would like Backup Exec to run. Intelligent Image Option is available for Windows Servers and Backup Exec documentation will assist in command strings for functions and utilities available.