Migrating a crap ton of data

At work we have an old server. Like, 5 years old, not a name brand, some custom thing by a place called @XI. Nice server, don't get me wrong, but way more than we are making use of. The thing has four six-core procs and 64GB of ram, of which our one virtual Windows 2012 server is using 2 cores and 16GB. Total waste. There is one system partition and one 3TB data partition, which is full.

So I bought a new server with 10TB of data space. The trick is how to migrate the data over.

I've heard of XCopy, and that seemed like a good place to start, but when I first tried it on the smaller Corporate files, it didn't take the permissions over, and i had to keep restarting it. Probably my fault for not understanding the switches, but it didn't go well, and it was a lot of cleanup on Monday.

But it was only about 100GB, not 3TB. 3TB is a ton of data.

So with a bit more research, I discovered ROBOCOPY. I love just the sound of that name. I'm planning on moving this data during the maintenance on Saturday night, and I know that it's going to take awhile. Do I have to stay for the entire thing?

Well, while researching exactly what flags I need to use, I discover that Robocopy can do some amazing things. Like, it can move data, and if the files are open, it goes to the shadowcopy and pulls it from there so it's not interrupted. It runs at a default of 8 threads (max 128), and can move data really fast. I'm liking this program more and more. And I can get it to move just the stuff that has changed since a specified date and time.

Now I'm excited. Instead of waiting for the maintenance, I start a copy. Thankfully I'm not deleting the data off the old server for a little while to ensure that the new stuff works. I have a plan. Move the data tonight, do the maintenance, and copy just the stuff that changed tomorrow. Nice and easy, super fast.

I am curious, how fast can you move 3TB of data on a LAN connection?

I open up a data transfer calculator, click a couple of the buttons, and see what it says.

1TB @ 100Mb = 2583 hours.

What the ever living nightmarish hell did I just do?

I check the connection on my servers, praying to the machine gods that I didn't just sign up for a copy session that is going to last... three and a half months.

They're both running at 1Gb. Time: 2.5 hrs /TB. Oh, thank you thank you thank you. So it should be done when I wake up.

Robocopy... It's Xcopy on steroids.

Update: This morning it was still running. must have been only moving small files (of which there are apparently a bigger crap ton). I restarted it, telling it to ignore existing files (don't overwrite) and it's moved a TB in the last couple hours, so good. Should be done by tonite.

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Been too long

it has been far too long.

I dropped off suddenly for reasons that don't matter anymore. Let's catch up:

• That girlfriend that I got? I married her. We had twin baby girls. We took them to the temple and were sealed to them. They'll be a year in September.
• I own two businesses, partner in one, Soul (snicker) proprietor in the other.
• I put one of my designs on a t-shirt, you've seen this in the art page:
• 
• We are selling her house and buying land and I get to finally build my papercrete house =D
• I've watched way too much politics the last several months... but i'll get to that later.
• I am still running D&D... a family game for my in-laws and going to start another for some friends. I have so many games that I have never been able to play because everyone wants to go the safe route with freaking D&D!! gah! oh well. least it's playing.

If you're still out there, thank you for reading. I'll post more often.

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IT'ers Unite!

Why do they think they can do this to us?

Desktop Support Technician (IT)
Seeking part-time Desktop Support Technician to begin as a trial 90 day position in [undisclosed location]. It is possible the position will become permanent placement. Candidate must possess the technical skills to learn to install door strikes & other RFID access control equipment and terminate network cables.
Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Install and maintain any and all equipment and software, i.e., network servers, workstations, printers, routers, modems, switched, network, Mac & PC operating systems, e-mail, and any other equipment necessary.
• Must be able to run all necessary network cable and make proper terminations.
• Maintain and accurate inventory of all hardware and software.
• May be responsible for system administration which includes applications, operating systems and hardware.
• May be responsible for patching or security updates of applications of operating systems.
• May be responsible for back up and restoration of all IT equipment and systems.
• Complete all assigned help desk work orders to complete satisfaction.
• May be responsible for processing technology requisitions.
• Configure new and troubleshoot existing VOIP phones on network.
• Ability to install new, maintain and troubleshoot RFID Door access controls.
• Perform other duties when required.

Successful candidate should possess the following:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 2 year Computer Science Degree. 'This alone is worth at least 15/hr.
• 1-2 years of similar experience. 'Op, bump it to 17.50/hr.
• 4 years of similar experience without a degree.
• Industry standard certifications are preferred i.e., A+, Network+, MCSE, CCNA '22-35$/hr
• Must have high level of accuracy and great attention to detail.
• Must exhibit high degree of professionalism and confidentiality in handling and having access to sensitive information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office

Hours will be 20-25 per week, Monday-Friday.
Please email resume. If interested, we will contact you to schedule an interview. Interviews will be conducted via Fuze software.
Position does not come with health or retirement benefits or vacation, holiday or sick pay. 'How about shove it up your arse? How does that sound?
$12.00-$12.50 DOE 'Oh, and the kicker. Not only do you not get benefits, but you don't really get paid, either.

Do not stand for this ourage! Do not take their job without a real wage. You may be able to do the job without the benefits, but don't do it without the pay, or companies will take serious advantage of us.
And this isn't the only one of them out there! I saw another very similar on craigslist that paid 11-14 and wanted even more. Tell them to piss off until they realize they can't do the job without us and they have to pay us a fair wage. Retail stores are upping their pay to 10-15$ for stocking shelves and cashing people out. Tech jobs are getting their asses handed to them by retail!
Ok, rant over.

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