What is Network DiskFit?

When AppleShare first arrived on the Macintosh scene, its use of a folder-based protection scheme caused some consternation among writers of backup software. SuperMac Technology was the first to develop a product. Network DiskFit, that allows users to retain their folder’s access privileges during backup.

Building on Older Brother

Many of Network DiskFit’s features are the same as those found in the DiskFit software... For instance, you can either perform a mirror image backup of one hard disk to another, or a file-by-file backup. Image backups are useful if you’re planning to transfer data to a different hard disk. But if you need to reduce fragmentation on a server you should use the file-by-file strategy. Network DiskFit also recovers space on backup disks when you perform incremental backups and replace old version files with newer ones.

Unfortunately, Network DiskFit retains some of DiskFit’s bad habits, for example it doesn’t let you select specific files for backup. Its newer competitors, HFS Backup and Redux, do allow selected file backups and full-disk and incremental backups.

However, you can selectively restore files and folders from a full or incremental backup. You can copy any file from a backup set to another disk on the desktop simply by dragging its icon.

Network DiskFit splits large files to fit on your backup media (floppies, for instance). You can use the Join option in Network DiskFit to fit the parts of any large file back together again on a hard disk. (Some users complain that they have not been able to join files, but I haven’t run into any problems.)

SmartSets are the basic means of setting up a backup strategy. You can create a SmartSet to back up only documents, applications, and System files, or only files that you own, which is important for AppleShare servers... Once you’ve created a SmartSet, Network DiskFit can use that series of selected options over and over again to perform subsequent backups.

Are You Protected?

One of Network DiskFit’s major advantages is its ability to retain a user’s access privileges for AppleShare folders. The server administrator can back up tlie entire server, once it’s been disconnected from all users and shut down. Although disconnecting the server is the best way to insure that no one changes a file as it’s being backed up, other safety strategies should be possible with AppleShare 2.0.1,

You do have to exercise some care if you’re backing up the AppleShare server and expect to retain each folder’s access privileges. Privilege infonnation is retained and restored during a volume restore only if you use a complete SmartSet, in other words, you select documents, applications, and System files from the Options list. If you use an incomplete SmartSet, you’ll have to reassign each restored folder’s access privileges.

Network DiskFit isn’t restricted to use with AppleShare volumes; for example, it’s good for backing up TOPS volumes. You can use either a SmartSet or Network DiskFit’s disk-duplication option. Because TOPS treats MS-DOS directories as oldstyle MFS directories rather than HFS directories, you should be aware that you’re backing up only one directory; subdirectories must be backed up separately.

Saving Graces

Although Network DiskFit doesn’t fit all of my backup styles (such as project-related backups), it’s easy to use, both for networked servers and regular hard disks. It supports floppies, tapes, and removable cartridges, leaving the choice of backup media to you. Now that HFS Backup and Redux also save AppleShare access privileges, and Network DiskFit still lacks the ability to save a detailed log of backed-up files, I'll probably continue to use Network DiskFit’s competitors.

Kosiur, Dave. (December 1989). Network DiskFit 1.5. Macworld. (pgs. 246, 248).

Download Network DiskFit for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II