Two instances of ntbackup?

[Jambo_C]

Hi,

A simple question. Is it possible to run more than one instance of ntbackup on a server?

I have to run a large backup of a D: drive tonight but also need to backup the C: drive and system state to a seperate backup file. I need both these backing up by tomorrow but I don't think the D drive backup is going to finish until the middle of the night.

Can I just load up ntbackup (say on a remote desktop) and start the C: drive backup whilst the D: drive one is running? I don't want to just try it as the D: drive backup has been running for ages already and I don't want to risk it failing.

[srochford]

Not sure if ntbackup will let you run 2 instances - try it and see (just back up 2 small folders!)

If it doesn't, the simplest way of doing it would be to have a batch file with

ntbackup <switches etc for first job>
ntbackup <switches etc for second job>

With this, the first backup will run and finish at (say) midnight and then the second backup will start immediately afterwards

[sparkeh]

You can run multiple instances but, having never done it, I am not sure if its a good idea.

I know that this can cause issues with the catalogue so be aware that you may need to do some extra work of you need to restore anything.

Probably best to go down the batch file route.

[PiqueABoo]

[It's too late for a batch file because the D: drive is running isn't it?]

A system state backup normally only takes a few minutes. If you can't just do that afterwards then I'd schedule the system state backup for a time you think will be very safely after the D: drive backup has finished with a little (command line) AT job

[Jambo_C]

Hi,

Thanks, the D: drive one is already running so the batch file won't be do-able.

I need to do a C: drive backup as well, not just the system state. I guess I'll just have to hope that the D: drive one finishes sooner than I'm expecting. I have found in the past that scheduled jobs haven't always run.