A+USER Access

Effortless, reliable backup of distributed data

With the explosive growth of distributed computing on workstations, PCs, and servers and the resulting decentralization of data critical business information is increasingly vulnerable.

Most organizations depend on individual departments or end users to manage and back up their own files and data, leaving hundreds of gigabytes of data at risk on desktops and in desk drawers throughout the enterprise. Organizations need a better solution for protecting their vast data assets and the years of productivity they represent.

A+USER Access(TM) Backup Manager from Amdahl provides that solution. A key component of Amdahl's Enterprise File Manager(TM)integrated data and storage management solution, A+USER Access Backup Manager automates data backup and retrieval across a broad range of desktop systems and local area networks.

With A+USER Access Backup Manager, organizations get an enterprise-scale solution that protects distributed data assets. Data centers get a flexible, easy-to-use resource for meeting the needs of end users who are clamoring for relief from onerous data management tasks. Users are freed from manual backups and retrievals without sacrificing the power and productivity they realize from distributed computing.

A+USER Access eliminates the need for manual backups

A+USER Access Backup Manager is a fully automated backup management and scheduling tool that performs automatic backups of multivendor client systems to the SunSoft Solaris(TM) operating environment, the Amdahl UTS(R) operating system, or the IBM MVS operating system.

The A+USER Access Backup Manager enables a server host in a multivendor network to back up data from client systems to storage devices in a central, protected facility. Host administrators use A+USER Access Central Archive Management (CAM) software to establish backup schedules and policies and to execute backup operations automatically. The A+USER Access client software on midrange servers and desktop systems communicates with the CAM server to transfer the data to the host site. Data retrieval can be initiated from either host or clients.

Here are highlights of A+USER Access features and functions.

Graphical user interface

A+USER Access Backup Manager has an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) for client systems that support Microsoft Windows, OSF/Motif, or OS/2 Presentation Manager environments.
The user-friendly GUI helps administrators and users take full advantage of A+USER Access functions. Administrators can use it to perform all administrative functions for the entire configuration from anywhere on the network. It simplifies setting up and maintaining hosts, host volumes, users, and schedules for all clients in the configuration. To save time, the GUI allows administrators to use the definition of one host, volume, or schedule as a template for additional hosts, volumes, or schedules.
And with the GUI, users can restore files and find information, such as their file backup schedule, quickly and easily.

Automatic server-initiated backups

With A+USER Access Backup Manager, critical data in a distributed environment is routinely and correctly backed up to reliable media. The host administrator schedules backups for all clients in the configuration according to central-site defined schedules. The host administrator specifies a time frame for the backup to start and designates how long backed-up data is retained.

Client-initiated backups

To supplement automatic server-initiated backups, client administrators can request backups on demand to meet special needs of users and projects. No calls to a help desk are required. Client administrators use a simple GUI screen to enter the request. They can execute the backup immediately or defer execution to the central site for scheduling.

User-initiated restores

With A+USER Access Backup Manager, administrators can restore backed-up files for users. However, users may also restore their own files at any time, without the aid of an administrator. Using the GUI, they can easily identify the correct file to restore.

Flexible backup options

With A+USER Access Backup Manager, administrators have the option of scheduling a full, incremental, or differential backup. These options allow administrators to meet needs for both system availability and secure data files:

Flexible scheduling options

A+USER Access Backup Manager performs automatic volume-by-volume backups according to the customized schedule developed for each volume. The volume schedule defines when a backup is performed, the type of backup, the time frame for the backup, and how long the backed-up data is retained.
For additional flexibility, individual files can be included in or excluded from scheduled backups.

Secure system access

A+USER Access Backup Manager provides controls that help to ensure system security and maintain data integrity.
It secures data by granting different degrees of access privilege to different classes of users. It controls access to all operations and files through a secure central database of all clients, volumes, and users. For client systems, the central database stores network name or address, type of client, and passwords. For volumes, it stores information about what data to back up, when to back up, and which users can access backed-up data.

Resource control

A+USER Access Backup Manager gives administrators facilities to prevent system resources from becoming overburdened. Administrators can limit the resources used by all concurrently running backup transfers to keep network and peripheral resources from being overloaded.

Reliable data storage

Using A+USER Access Backup Manager, in conjunction with A+UniTree(TM) Storage Manager, to store and manage data in a central site, organizations can be confident that their storage media are consistently managed and reliable. Data is housed in the safest environment in the organization.

Dependable system, volume, and file recovery

A+USER Access Backup Manager allows a client host administrator to select backup versions to restore data on a volume-by-volume basis if a system or volume must be recovered. Volume attributes are restored along with the volume. The administrator can restore a system from tape backups to another peer system if the network or server is unavailable.

Management reports

A+USER Access backup manager provides administrators with accurate data about backup progress and any problems that occur during the backup or restore process. Administrators have quick access to detailed information about completed backups, backups due to expire, and all backups scheduled to run on a specific date or range of dates.

A+USER Access offers a choice of host platforms

A+USER Access Backup Manager is supported in the SunSoft Solaris operating environment and is available on SPARC(R)servers. With A+UniTree and A+USER Access software, Sun(TM)systems can be linked to highly reliable Storage Technology automated tape cartridge systems.

A+USER Access Backup Manager also runs on AmdahlÕs UTS(R)System V Release 4 UNIX(R)-based operating system. The UTS system is enhanced for large-capacity production environments requiring the highest reliability and is supported on System/390 platforms from Amdahl, IBM, and Hitachi Data Systems.
Also, A+USER Access Backup Manager is available for the MVS operating system on all System/390 platforms. It moves backed-up data from desktop computers and servers to MVS-based back-end tools.

A+USER Access supports a broad range of clients

A major benefit of A+USER Access Backup Manager is the breadth of clients it supports. A+USER Access protects critical data by providing automatic backup for virtually every type of client desktop and server system across your enterprise. This breadth of supported substantially reduces the cost of training administrators and users.

A+USER Access backs up many different clients, including:

A graphical user interface is available for popular clients, including:

A+USER Access comes with Amdahl support and services

Around the clock support

Because critical backup operations take place at night and restore operations may need to go on around the clock, Amdahl provides service for A+USER Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Professional services

Amdahl offers many professional and consulting services to meet a wide range of customer needs.

Amdahl can help your data center establish a complete file backup and recovery service that can be offered to end-user departments and business units throughout the enterprise. Amdahl can provide everything you need to set up in business quickly to satisfy users who are seeking relief from the burdens of data administration.

To help you realize the full benefit of A+USER Access backup manager and A+UniTree Storage Manager, Amdahl offers the Enterprise File Manager Implementation service. This comprehensive service includes site and readiness planning for environmentals, power, and floor setup. It includes network configuration and communications assistance as well as scheduling for conversion of current backup systems to the Enterprise File Manager solution. And it includes testing of pilot applications and complete acceptance testing. To deliver this service, Amdahl coordinates with all third-party suppliers involved.

Amdahl also offers an Enterprise File Manager Easy Pilot program at a low-cost fixed fee. Amdahl will integrate Enterprise File Manager components at your site for a limited trial program and charge for the service only when a full production system is installed. Amdahl will also integrate the automated storage libraries of your choice into your data and storage management environment.


Enterprise File Manager integrated data and storage management solution


The Amdahl Enterprise File Manager solutionÑincorporating A+UniTree Storage Manager and A+USER Access Backup ManagerÑcentralizes and automates the critical task of data and storage management for large distributed computing environments. Enterprise File Manager:


Consider the combined advantages of A+USER Access and A+UniTree for network data backup

Automate management of storage media


Improve resource utilization