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RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

Robert O'Donnell — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 18:46:00 GMT

It looks like Red-Gate SQL BAckup is a great deal. We have servers located at branch offices on low quality DSL lines and need to bring a backup to HQ on a regular basis and also to a disaster recovery location. We are located in 11 different countries in Latin America and highspeed connections are very expensive.

While backup speed is nice, compression is our most important factor. What program woudl provide the smallest compressed file? I don't mind using out of the box SQL backup and then compressing with a ZIP program if it gets a smaller file.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

viacoboni — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 06:48:00 GMT

You're welcome RML51.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

RML51 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 13:30:00 GMT

Thanks Viacoboni, that looks great! I especially like your point about SQL Backup error detection. I found some code on the Red Gate site that helps with this, but your's sounds like it's much easier to use.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

viacoboni — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 11:18:00 GMT

If you have Lightspeed or SQL Backup, be sure to check out my sp_ABBackup and sp_ABRestore utilities and the article that explains them, http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/vIacoboni/moreintelligentbackupandrestore.asp.They have saved my hide many times. Basically, it will easily let you backup and restore across several databases whether you use Native, Lightspeed, or SQL Backup. Many times you can get away with a single parameter listing the databases you want to backup/restore, and it will figure the rest out. Give it a try.Vince

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

RML51 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 08:54:00 GMT

We recently ran tests of SQL Litespeed, SQL Safe, and SQL Backup. I found minimal differences with compression and performance of the 3 products. I could not find any justification for the higher cost of the SQL Litespeed or SQL Safe products when compared to SQL Backup. The yearly maintenance cost alone of SQL Litespeed or SQL Safe was higher then SQL Backup including support.

We run this on a couple of clusters, and Red Gate has a version that supports clustered environments without problems.

SQL Backup 4.0 is due out soon, too. And, I was told that we would get the upgrade from SQL Backup 3.2 to 4.0 included with our year of support/maitenance.

SQL Backup has saved us time, disk space, and thousands of dollars.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

firthr — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 06:18:00 GMT

I looked at Litespeed and found it to be way too expensive for us, for their standard product their pricing is below, they would offer some discounting so long as you beg enough ;-)

Standard Pricing:

Item	Code	Unit Cost	Qty	Total Cost
LiteSpeed 2 CPU Standard License 32 BIT	SLS-ST-LC-2C-MS	760.00 £ UKP	2.0	1,520.00 £ UKP
LiteSpeed 4 CPU Standard License 32 BIT	SLS-ST-LC-4C-MS	1,410.00 £ UKP	1.0	1,410.00 £ UKP
LiteSpeed 2 CPU Standard First Year Maintenance 32 BIT	SLS-ST-FM-2C-MS	152.00 £ UKP	2.0	304.00 £ UKP
LiteSpeed 4 CPU Standard First Year Maintenance 32 BIT	SLS-ST-FM-4C-MS	282.00 £ UKP	1.0	282.00 £ UKP
Shipping		20.00 £ UKP	1.0	20.00 £ UKP
				£3,536

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

Wesley Brown — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:57:00 GMT

There are a few that I didn't cover SQL Zip is one of them.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

fhanlon — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:54:00 GMT

SQL Zip is another contender in this field. I have no experience with the product so I can't say how it compares. It costs US$500 per server.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

Wesley Brown — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:39:00 GMT

Cost is listed in the first part if it was available from the vendorSql LiteSpeed doesn't have cost on its web siteSQL Safe is $995 plus maintUltra Bac $495 for the base and $695 per SQL Server agentMiniSQLBackup above.Wes

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

Ray Mond — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:16:00 GMT

MiniSQLBackup licensing costs are as follows:

single named server license - USD 99/-
two named servers license - USD 179/-
ten named servers license - USD 795/-

and includes free updates for one year from date of purchase.

RE: Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

M Chabot — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:06:00 GMT

The conclusion mentions cost as being a factor, but costs are not listed in the article. How much do these products cost?

Four of a Kind - Backup Software Shootout Part 2

Wesley Brown — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 16:24:00 GMT

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