Unattended Maynstream 2200 HS Backups

                          8/9/89, Rich Adams

The self extracting zip file, Tymitzip.exe, contains the following
files:  Tymit.exe, the time delay utility, backup.txt, the
suggested format for a login script and/or include file, and this text
file, tymit.txt.

Maynard Maynstream software version 2.4 is the the version this system
was created to use with Maynard 2200HS tape unit.  The 2200HS is a good unit,
but the software has limitations concerning unattended backup.  Maynard's
suggested methods will not securely allow unattended, password protected
backups.  The objective of this "Tymit" approach was to
create a system whereby unattended backups could be made, with full tape
password protection, and maintenance of system security.

The following steps are suggested:

Login in as system supervisor.  Create the directory Maynard in the SYS:
volume and map drive T: to it.  Install the Maynstream software (2.4)
into this directory with the undocumented /pass option, as in a:install
t:\maynard /pass.  The /pass option will cause the software to prompt you
for a password later in the installation process.  Remember the password
you give it!  It will encrypt your software so that all subsequent tapes
made with this software will require either the same software for
restoration, or the password to be entered from the keyboard.  There *is*
a way to recover the password from the encrypted software should you
forget what the password is, but Maynard won't do it for you.  Leave me
a message on Compuserve (Netwire forums) if you need to know how to
recover a lost password from intact encrypted software...

Then create the user "backup" (or whatever you like), and give this user
supervisor equivalence.  Assign the suggested login script to this user.
Obviously, if you have different volume names and/or mappings, adjust the
login script accordingly.  Note that the Tymit program requires the
backup time to be entered as a full five digits, such as 01:00, in
military time.  Copy the Tymit.exe program to the sys:maynard directory,
also.

Then use Tmenu (Maynard program) to create an appropriate .bks file to
automate your backup.  Consult the Maynard documentation.  In the login
script I have called the .bks file "complete"; you may rename it as long
as your login script command line parameters match.

I suggest that you do a complete backup every night.  The capacity of the
2200 HS is such that this should be no problem for most networks.  Rotate
your tapes, and keep regular copies archived off-site (follow good MIS
practices).  Doing incremental backups will create logistical problems
when it comes time to do a complete restore.  For this reason, each tape
is erased just before a backup is made.  Also, the suggested login script
tensions the tape at time the tape is inserted and backup is logged in.
In this way the operator can easily tell if the tape is grossly
defective, not inserted properly, the tape machine is not plugged in or
turned on, etc...

The net result of this approach should be that a relatively inexperienced
operator may conduct daily unattended password protected backups, without
gaining access to all network files.  This maintains a good level of
network security.

The Tymit program and suggested login scripts are offered into the public
domain with no warranties implied or expressed.