Another option is just purchasing Backup Exec 12.  The license keys for Backup Exec 12 also work in Backup Exec 11d for backwards compatability reasons.

Message Edited by vbsaust on 02-21-2008 04:52 PM

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VBSAust,

Here's some places to start:

Message Edited by Ken Putnam on 02-26-2008 08:08 AM

VBSAust,

If you purchase 11d now you will have the option to upgrade anytime within those twelve months that you have software assurance (basically twelve months after you purchase 11d).

The situation would go down like this:

1)  You purchase 11d.
2)  You install it.
3)  You'll eventually get an email notification from Symantec stating where you can download v12.
4)  Download and install that.
5)  You're on version 12!

Hope this helps. 

Regards and Good Luck, Jack

VBSAust,

These boards are a decent (and sometimes more effective) alternative to Symantec Technical Support.  I have Symantec Technical Support for all of the Symantec products my organization uses and sometimes I question "why" we do since these boards are more helpful due to lots of reasons (most of which stem from the fact that none of us are reading out a book and base our answers on what REALLY happens when you use Symantec products). 

I for one enjoy getting real-life experiences from Symantec product users like ourselves instead of answers from the book I can simply lookup myself if I so chose to. 

That being said, there were some instances a couple years ago when v11d came out where I really, really needed Tier2 Technical Support and Symantec was there for me and did help me resolve the issue.  Symantec is aware of their discrepancies on the technical support side of the house and they are making changes as I type this.  There was a HUGE backlash a couple of years ago by the IT community regarding major software providers outsourcing their technical support, and that bit many of them in the behind.  Because of the backlash (and indubitably to save face), many software providers have moved their regional technical support back to the regions that they preside over, be it the US, Germany, India, or wherever you may reside.  This helps in amazing ways, believe me.

So, take this all as you will.  I guess the bottom-line is that this forum is great for simple, day-to-day issues and the group here is typically helpful and responsive.  However, for your purposes, since it sounds as if you're just beginning your experience with this product, I'd set aside the money in the budget for technical support.  You'll want it.

This can be a very simple product to use.  It can also be your worst nightmare if you don't follow the rules (by rules I mean the Best Practices).  Follow the Best Practices to a "T" and you will see that you will not experience many of the issues that users here experience.  RTFM shoudl be the Symantec Backup Exec credo.  :)  The product works great when you know how to use it, and you know how to use it by reading the manuals on how to do so.  If you skip that portion, you will find yourself in a lot of hot water with this product.  So do your reading and do it all.

Otherwise, you can expect help from me and some other frequenters.  I have been silent for a while but a new version is out so I will be here.

Hope this helps and Good Luck, Jack