For our online server backup test, we set up a rack of six identical Dell OptiPlex GX1 600-Mhz Pentium servers, each with 256 MB of RAM and running Windows 2000 Advanced Server patched to the current levels. We then loaded each server with an 800-MB test data folder holding a combination of basic Office documents, large PowerPoint shows, Acrobat files, digital images and a 200-MB Outlook file. After contacting the vendors, we set up and configured agents for each of the services according to their specifications.

Next, we set up an initial full backup of the entire server, using the table of inclusions and exclusions as specified in each agent's default "Full Backup" methodology; scheduled the agents to run once; and set them at 12-hour intervals to avoid overlapping our bandwidth. After reviewing the logs to confirm the successful conclusion of the initial backup, we made changes to the data in the original test folder, including edits, deletions and additions. After writing the changes to each test server, we scheduled and ran an incremental backup of the same "Full Backup" data set and reviewed the logs.

We then confirmed the existence of both historical data sets, deleted the test data from our servers and, after a few days, set up and ran a complete restoration of the deleted test folder. The final step was to examine the logs and then make a bit-count comparison of the deleted and restored test data folders to determine success.