Alike Data Store (ADS) Requirements
Alike 2.1 introduced many new improvements to both speed and scalability of backups. One of the new requirements for these improvements is how the Alike Data Store (ADS) is set up and configured. Since the Alike Backup Delegate (ABD) now performs many of the deduplication tasks, it must be able to see what data already exists in the ADS. To accomplish this, the ADS is now required to be a CIFS share so not only the delegate but also the Alike Services can access the stored data. This share can reside on a CIFS compliant server, a NAS, or the Alike Server itself. This article will explain the requirements for all three ADS options and the actions performed by the Alike installer.
Fresh Installs of Alike
If you are performing a fresh install of Alike you will prompted for the Data Storage Folder. Here, you can enter a CIFS share that already exists along with the user credentials required to access this share. You may also provide a local directory on the Alike server. If you provide a local directory, Alike will attempt to share the folder you provide for you. The Alike installer will also create a local user account with full access to the ADS. This user account is used by the ABD to access the ADS during backups and restores.
Upgrades from prior to Alike 2.1:
If you are already using a CIFS share for the ADS, Alike will continue to utilize this location for its data. If you are using local storage on the Alike Server for the ADS, Alike will attempt to create a share from the local storage directory. If it is successful you will be able to see this share value in the Alike Manager Settings page under the Storage tab. If the installer cannot successfully create a shared folder for the ADS, you will need to manually create share and update the Data Store location on the Settings page Storage tab. Please refer to the Admin guide on how to accomplish this.
Notes:
-If Alike attempts to create a share for you and the Alike server has multiple IP addresses, Alike will prompt you to select one of the IPs to use for the share. Be sure to select an IP address that the ABD will be able to access.
-If Alike attempts to create a share for your local storage, it will also create a Local User account for the ABD to use in order to access the newly created share.
ADS Local Storage Requirements:
Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003:
-Simple file sharing is not supported. Please disable simple file sharing. A support article on how to accomplish this is listed below.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874
<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /-->
Windows 7, Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2:
-File and Printer sharing must be turned on for the network profile Alike is using.
Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2:
-File Services Role must be installed.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771548(WS.10).aspx
