Mammoth Software

david80 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

Hello,

Great software this is actually highly useful for my needs, Basicly I want to just use XP and File Explorer inconjunction with the XL1B2 to back up and restore data on dvd-r's. Is this possible? I do not wish to purchase the unit if it were not for this software because I find it useless. Also can the internal drive be replaced?

Sorry for my english!

-David

mammoth · Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 38

Yes it is possible to perform back and restores using the current PowerExplorer without the PowerBackup software. Use PowerExplorer to mount a disk, then use your burning software, and then unmount it. Currently you'll only have a single disk automation. Although the latest release has short cuts which you could use to mount specific slots.

The PowerBackup is still in development but it's goal will be to automated making multi-disk backups and restores. We are currently modifying the slot management to provide automated task support to the framework.

The drives can not be easily replaced. The problem for the most part is that the firmware is built using these specific drives. Putting another drive in 'may' cause different issues with the firmware. Secondly you'll still have to mount it and get the alignment identical to the current unit. Seems easy enough, however finding the flat ribbon cable can be difficult. If you decide to try, i would recommend a Plextor drive. If you're successfull please post your findings for other people.

david80 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

when you say short cuts for different slots what exactly does that refer to? Also I just want a file system that is automated in one sense, which I can catalogue backed up data on disc and find and retrieve each disc when needed which this seems like it does such.

How exactly does the firmware of the burner drive affect the rest of the machine? Wouldnt there be 2 different firmwares? I dont know? but yes I would like to use a plextor drive but I also was wondering about repairs in the future.

Thank you for your time!

-David

mammoth · Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 38

To create a shortcut in PowerExplorer, select a slot, right click on the slot and select Create Shortcut. On the desktop a short cut to this slot will be created. Then when you want that disk to be loaded at this slot, just double click on the short cut and it will automatically mount it to drive 1.

As for cataloging, the PowerExplorer allows you to catalog at the disk level. Another product that will be released after PowerBackup will allow you to catalog at the file level on the DVD disk.

The PowerFile has internal firmware used to communicate to the DVD-Drive in the PowerFile. If you replace the DVD-Drive in the PowerFile, the firmware in the PowerFile may not work with the new DVD-drive. If you modify the PowerFile, of course you void your warranty and you'll have to maintain it. So there is a risk, however the DVD-Drives have a higher probability that they will require maintenance over other compoents in the PowerFile.

pietmeyn · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Hi, will this "new dev" after the backup be something like HSM (e.g. diskextender) and are there any ideas of licencing costs and approx. release date? Will the database be selectable, e.g. MySQL and the MS Sequel Server.
If yes, will you have that code available for Windows AND Linux ?
What will be exactly the differences between PowerExplorer, Archive and the new dev ?
Will your backup have the functionallity of bacula with database based file storage indexing? Will it support a RAID functionality like Amanda ? What will be the licencing fees and the approx. release date ?
Regards Peter

mammoth · Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 38

The new developement has been halted. It was essentially going to be part of the overall approach to create a HSM but with PowerArchive indexing. For the most part we were starting with just backup using the PowerArchive indexing database with backup instances that can be either full or differentials. However due to low demand we've put a hold on most of the development. We might publish some of the plug-in's source code if people want to expand on them.