tbtape and alternatives

Let me first say thank you for all of the responses so far. You have given me some ideas to pursue and helpful hints. Let me apologize for the lack of information, it was un-acceptable. So hear are the details: Hardware: HP9000 800 series OS: HP-UX v9.X Informix: Online v5.X We are planning an OS upgrade over the next couple of months and then an Informix upgrade this summer. Any solutions need to cheap and temporary (because Informix changed their backup procedure) or needs to relevant to the new system configuration. Thanks again for the helpful words of wisdom. Scott Sovereign Interealty Corp > >I'm a new sys admin having to deal with Informix after coming from an Oracle shop. The companies database backup procedures have struck me as odd and inefficient. I am hoping that someone out their has a better suggestion. > >Right now, they are using tbtape to back up each dbase to a separate tape. They have 3 dbs now, but plan to expand. The problem is that this takes 3 tapes and 3 tape drives. Surely there is a better way. > >I've just started to investigate this, but was hoping for some helpful insights. tbtape doesn't appear to allow you to backup to disk and I really don't want to have to tbunload. Any ideas? > >Thanks in advance. >