Symantec.com > Business > Products > Backup Exec
Call: 1-800-721-3934

Symantec Backup Exec

Trialware
Purchasing
Data Sheet (PDF)

System Requirements

For a complete list of supported environments, refer to the Backup Exec hardware and software compatibility list.

Server Operating Systems

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (R2) family
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Standard and Premium) R2
  • Microsoft Windows 2008 Storage Server R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 family
  • Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Standard and Premium)
  • Microsoft Windows 2008 Storage Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 family (SP1)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 family
  • Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 (SP1)
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server family (only supported by the Agent for Windows Systems - no media server support)

Virtual Environments

  • VMware ESX Server 3.0 and 3.5 and vSphere 4.0
  • VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 2 and later and vSphere 4.0 and later
  • Microsoft Hyper-V 2008 and Microsoft Hyper-V 2008 (R2)

Client Operating Systems

  • Microsoft Windows 7 (Supported by Desktop and Laptop Option and Agent for Windows Systems)
  • Microsoft Windows Vista (Ultimate, Business & Enterprise) (Supported by Desktop and Laptop Option and Agent for Windows Systems)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP2) (SP2 is min for support for SQL Express 2005) (Supported by Desktop and Laptop Option and Agent for Windows Systems)
Note: for Mini-filter drivers (needed for Exchange granular support) Only certain versions of Windows Server 2003 support minifilters.
Note: Storage Provisioning will require Window 2003 R2 or Windows 2008. It will also depend on VDS 1.1

Internet Browser

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
  • Service Pack 1 is required for SQL Server 2005 Express

Memory—Backup Exec Media Server

  • Recommended: 1 GB RAM (or more for better performance)
Note: RAM Requirements may vary depending on the operations performed, the options installed, and the specific computer configuration.

Backup Exec CASO Server

  • Recommended: 1 GB RAM
Note: RAM requirements may vary depending on the number of media servers being supported.

Virtual Memory Recommendations

  • 20 MB above the Windows recommended size for total paging file size (total for all disk volumes)

Processor

  • Intel Pentium, Xeon, AMD, or compatible

Disk Space

  • 1.44 GB (Typical Installation)
  • 2.32 GB (includes all options)
Note: Disk space requirements may vary depending on operations performed, the options installed, and the specific system configuration. Backup Exec database and catalogs require additional space.

Deduplication Environments (optional)

  • x64-bit Media Server
  • One Quad-core or 2x dual-core processors
  • 1GB physical memory for each 1TB of deduplicated storage used
  • If the Deduplication Option is used in conjunction with PureDisk, v6.6 of PureDisk is required.

Exchange Mailbox Archiving Option Environments (optional)

  • Media Server must be part of a domain or Active Directory
  • Media Server must have enough disk space to store Archived data
  • Disk space for Index files must be allocated at approximately 8% of Archived data storage
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher must be installed on the Media Server
  • The Media Server and the Exchange Server must be in the same domain or have a trust relationship established with other domains where the Exchange Server or Media Server resides
  • The media server must be in the same time zone as the file servers and Exchange servers from which eligible data is archived.
  • A mailbox must be configured for exclusive use by Backup Exec on each Exchange Server on which you want to select mailboxes for archiving.
  • Only the Exchange server backups that are sent to disk and for which the Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) option is enabled are available for archiving.
  • Outlook 2003 or 2007 must be installed on the Media Server for Exchange Mailbox Archiving

File System Archiving Option Environments (optional)

  • Media Server must be part of a domain or Active Directory
  • Media Server must have enough disk space to store Archived data
  • Index space must be allocated at approximately 8% of Archived data storage
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher must be installed on the Media Server
  • The Media Server and the File Server must be in the same domain or have a trust relationship established with other domains where the Exchange Server or Media Server resides
  • The media server must be in the same time zone as the file servers and Exchange servers from which eligible data is archived.
  • File System Archiving can be performed against backups done to disk or tape.

Other Hardware

  • Network interface card or a virtual network adapter card
  • DVD-ROM drive
  • (Recommended) A mouse
  • (Optional for printer notification) Printer supported by Microsoft Windows

Storage Hardware

Backup Exec requires at least one storage media drive and/or single-drive robotic library and the appropriate controller card. Removable storage devices and non-removable hard drives can also be targeted for backups.
Note: Support for a single robotic library drive is available when you purchase Backup Exec. To enable support for additional robotic library drives, you must purchase Backup Exec Library Expansion Option.
Backup Exec 12.5 Outperforms ARCserve