Client has a Windows 2003 SBS, using Exchange. For backup software, they are using Veritas Backup Exec 10.

They have a Buffalo NAS 1TB Terastation and two 500GB Buffalo Linkstation Minis.

Client wants to have a local backup of their data, plus rotate the Minis so that they can keep a copy off site (like a tape).

What is the best way to create a backup scheme using these devices?

If possible, I'd like to perform the nightly backup onto the Terastation, and use the Buffalo Minis external drives connected to the Terastation. Will that work? Is that the best way?

One thing I am concerned about is that the mini's time/date is reset when swapped. That could create real problems with restoring backups. If the minis are directly connected to the Terastation via USB, will it also reset the time/date?

Yes this is a very good back up solution.  There is many diffrent kinds of backups that you can use there are outlined below.  From what ive seen there is no need to worry about the date/time.

Backup Mode:

Normal Backup:

Saves as "yyyymmddhhmm\sourcename\data". Makes a new folder for each backup.

Overwrite Backup (Complete/Append)<labeled incorrectly as the first "Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential)" on Linkstation Pro, Linkstation Live, Terastation Pro II, and Terastation Live>:

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup every time, if a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will not be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup every time, if a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Append):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will not be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Other options:

Create a file folder which would be identified by backup source:

If this is unchecked, any overwrite backup will overwrite files already existing on the share. This is useful if you want a backup that seems to be mirrored exactly in structure. There will be issues if you backup 2 shares to a single share

Use encrypted transfer:

Specify whether data should be encrypted when it is transferred for backup.

• Throughput is decreased if this encryption function is enabled.
• Don't use this function when backup destination is a USB hard drive.

Use compressed transfer:

Specify whether data should be compressed when it is transferred for backup.

• When backup is performed via network by using this function, transferring speed may increase in the environment where network bandwidth is narrow. (It is not that backup all data into one archive).
• Do not use this function when backup destination is a USB hard drive.

Create backup log files:

Create log files of the backup on the source folder.

Backup task isn't cancel even error is occurred<"Ignore the errors and proceed back up anyway." on Linkstation Pro>:

If enabled, after a backup failure, subsequent scheduled backups will still be performed

Other Notes

• Linkstation Live, Terastation Pro II, and Terastation Live all nearly the same interface as Linkstation Pro. Have some of the same typos as well.
• Trashbox on source is backed up to destination (only tested on LSPro so far).

Sources

From the "Help" Document on the Terastation Pro:

Backup Operation mode: Select backup operation mode among the followings. - Normal Backup - Overwrite Backup (Complete/Append) - Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential) - Overwrite Backup （Append Backup） - Overwrite Backup (Differential Backup)

• If [Overwrite(Differential)] is used, any files which does not exist on the backup source are deleted without any beforehand confirmation. Please be careful not to miss important data.
• In any operation mode except for normal backup, all data are overwritten to backup destination. Please be careful not to miss important data.
• Don't operate any file (change file name, delete and so on) in backup source folder while backup is performed. Otherwise, backup procedure may be faulty terminated

Behavior in each mode is as shown in the following table. Behavior differs largely depending on whether [Create folder from which backup source can be identified] on backup option is set.

• The description below is explanation for the case when [/target] is set as backup destination folder.

• Backup behavior is specified by the conbination of [Overwrite(differencial)] and [Create folder from which backup source can be identified]. Depending on conbination, it may not operate as you have expected.

From the "Help" Document on Linkstation Pro:

Backup Function Mode
Backup mode selection:
*Normal Backup
*Overwrite backup
*Overwrite backup (All/Updated)
*Overwrite backup (Additional)
*Overwrite backup (Updated)
*"Caution: Overwrite backup will delete original."
*"Caution: Backup mode (except Normal mode) will not save any previous backup data."
*"Caution: Do not access any backup file(s) during the backup. It may caus