We would like to do some file Archiving on a server?

OK, here is what we are thinking of doing.

We want to archive a folder based on the age of the files to a different location for online backup purposes.  For Example:

D:\Share\Data\files.txt -> D:\Archive\Share\Data\files.txt based on age.  

The archive location is read only and would be moved to tape.  These files would be files that have not been touched in 6 months or more.  This will greatly reduce the size of the "Live" files in the write location.  The problem is that we could do this once with a lot of work, but we want to maintain it run it like once a month.  That way only actual live files are being backedup to the online backup.  Is there software that does this?
XenoSaberAsked:
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Bill BachConnect With a Mentor PresidentCommented:
"All that leg work" is sometimes critical to getting the job done correctly.

If you want a simpler solution to the file-copy side of things, use RichCopy:
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx

Note, though, that this solution will handle copying files from the "live" area to the "archive" area for you.  The next phase is to wipe out the olf files.  For that, you can use a tool like AutoDelete:
    http://www.whoismadhur.com/2008/12/15/delete-old-files-with-auto-delete/

However, this is a fairly basic tool, and doesn't let you delete based on Last Accessed Date.  A more powerful solution for you will likely be XXCOPY:
    http://www.xxcopy.com/

This tool can easily hanbdle what you want, and it can easily be set up as a scheduled task in Windows to work automatically.  In fact, you can easily wipe out all files that have not been accessed in the last 6 months with a line like this:
    xxcopy \src\ /rs/db#180/fa

Of course, you should be VERY careful with anything as powerful as this, and we are back to doing a lot of legwork once again to get the switches "just so".  However, the time spent is worth it.
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Jernej NavotnikConnect With a Mentor PHP/Phyton DeveloperCommented:
Hey!

Don't know what kind of OS you're using, but have you considered using powershell or robocopy (as batch) and then run once a month?
Also, the files, you want them copied or moved?

Try these:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee176988.aspx#EBAA

http://blog.integrii.net/?p=27
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XenoSaberAuthor Commented:
We are using Windows 2003 & 2008.

We could do that, I was seeing about getting it done without all that leg work.

We want to move the data, so it is out of the "Live" share.
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XenoSaberAuthor Commented:
I know, and I don't mind doing the work, it's just that I have to write this up so a monkey can read it and understand it as they are letting me go in June in lieu of outsourcing.  This is going to be a *itch, better brush up on my powershell, that;s going to be the best way.

Thanks All.
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Joseph DalyCommented:
I would take a look at vice versa to do this. It is not a free software but it is pretty cheap overall. I actually used this in a previous company i worked for to do a very similar thing as you.

This is basically like robocopy on steroids with many more options, logging, etc. It also has a nice scheduler built in so that you can set it and forget it.

http://www.tgrmn.com/
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Bill BachPresidentCommented:
Well, I've seen many companies go through outsourcing over the years.  Incidentally, if you've got the you savings buffer and health care benefits (e.g. COBRA or spouse) to not need to find another job immediately, you can use that as an opportunity to provide consulting services back to the company -- at a vastly higher rate (I'd start at a minimum of $150/hour, higher if you have years of experience in their exact needs).  This allows several benefits:  You get to keep working, you get to work less (say, 20 hours a week or so), and they get to take you salary off of the permanent payroll costs.  I know of some "consultants" who were outsourced that continued to work for YEARS after the transition (one of them was there over 15 years when I last spoke to him), and they ended up working about 1/2 the time they worked previously for the same pay.  Because they weren't "full time employees", it didn't count as a FTE cost to the manager of the department.  Sounds strange, but it can be a great benefit at the same time.
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XenoSaberAuthor Commented:
I can hope.
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Jernej NavotnikPHP/Phyton DeveloperCommented:
Hey!

Actually you gave me a great idea for one of my clients, so here's the the script I sticked together from some of my scripts and a bit of Google and Technet.
It works for me (!not thoroughly tested! so no guaranties:) ).

It copies the folder structure and moves the files older (last accessed) than whatever you like in days.
And writes all moved files in a .csv.
It's probably not "the top 100 ps scripts" but, it's a start if you're going to try on your own.

Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
$From="C:\from"
$To="C:\to"
$DaysAgo="10"
$LastAccess =(get-date).AddDays(-$DaysAgo)
get-childitem $From -include *.* -recurse | ? {
	!$_.PsIsContainer -and $_.LastAccessTime -le “$LastAccess”
} | % {
	$newpath = join-path $To $_.DirectoryName.SubString($From.length)
	New-Item $newpath -type directory -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
	Move-Item $_.FullName -destination $newpath
	write-host "File Was Last Accessed" $_.LastAccessTime
	$outputfilename = ( "c:\"+$DaysAgo+"dayReport.csv") 
	$_ |format-table -property Fullname |out-file $outputfilename -append 
}

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Best regards to all, Jernej
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