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Academic and Research Computing
QUICK STUDY #32
January 2003
Some Basics about the
EZ-Snapshot File Backup Service
The EZ-Snapshot file backup service allows individuals and/or departments
within the Rensselaer community to store copies of personal computer files
to a tape library
via the campus network. The EZ-Snapshot software (TSM client) must be
installed on each machine. The client software communicates with the
Rensselaer TSM server, and transfers files to the server for storage. This
service allows storage of up to two copies of each client file on the TSM
server; these files can be backed up or restored without
requiring DotCIO staff involvement. Users may also choose to have their backup
run as an automated process.
DotCIO currently offers EZ-Snapshot services for Windows 95, Windows 98,
Windows NT, Windows XP, Macintosh, and Linux platforms.
Before you can use EZ-Snapshot, you must first sign up for the service. To
do this, obtain an application form at the VCC Help Desk, or print the
appropriate .pdf or .doc file located at the URL
http://www.rpi.edu/web/ezsnap/forms/;
individual users
should use the IndividualEZ.* file, and campus departments should
use the
DeptEZ.* file. Please note that you must have Adobe Reader
on your machine in order to read .pdf files.
Return the completed form(s) to the VCC Help Desk. Once the Help Desk
staff processes your subscription request(s) and registers your computer(s)
with TSM, you will receive additional registration instructions via
electronic mail.
DotCIO will provide individual users with an initial storage allocation of
8GB, free-of-charge. This storage, which is measured at the server and consists
of compressed data (typical compression ratios are between 1.5:1 and 3:1),
is sufficient to store typical client disk capacities of 12GB of data,
and possibly up to 24GB.
Any client who exceeds their initial free 8GB allocation will be charged an
annual fee for service from September through August. They will receive a
bill in the month during which they exceeded their storage allocation quota;
the charge will not be prorated. Additional server storage will cost $25.00
per 2GB allocation per year.
Departmental EZ-Snapshot storage is provided in allocations of 50GB. Similar
to that for individual users, this storage is measured at the server and
consists of compressed data, with typical data compression ratios between
1.5:1 and 3:1. That is, each 50GB storage allocation will be sufficient to
store typical client disk capacities of 75GB, and as much as 150GB.
Each department's/organization's coordinator is responsible for approving
new clients, removing clients, and approving subscription renewals. The
coordinator must also renew each client subscription prior to September 1
each year, or client files will be removed from the server.
A fee of $125.00 per 50GB of storage allocation will be billed to the
account number on record, with the billable amount reflecting the clients'
total usage. The annual fee will be billed in September, or in the month
of registration, based on the current total storage usage. If this total
usage exceeds the paid allocation, $125.00 will be charged for each additional
50GB allocation, at the time the quota is exceeded. This charge will not
be prorated.
You can find more information about the EZ-Snapshot service at the URL
http://www.rpi.edu/web/ezsnap/.
From that site, you can click on the appropriate links for information
on individual and departmental storage, as well as for additional
information on EZ-Snapshot backup policies. You may also click on the
Installation Instructions link to gain access to the registration
forms, in either .doc or .pdf format.
If you have a specific question about using EZ-Snapshot, or wish to report a
problem, you may contact the TSM support staff by directing electronic mail
to
ezsnap-support@rpi.edu.
Published by Academic and Research Computing, RPI, Troy, NY 12180
Send comments to consult@rpi.edu.
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