IDEA: minute-based gantt chart for visually representing backup schedules

[bkeadle]

I'm looking for a minute-based gantt chart for visually representing backup/DR schedules. I'd like to enter a task name, the frequency of the backup (e.g. every 15 minutes) and the duration of the backup (e.g. 5 minutes) and be able to show these for a 24-hour time period.  This would provide a visual representation of all backup/dr tasks happening so we can better plan/schedule jobs more effeciently.

Calendar software had been considered, as I can set an event and duration, but it's the frequency of the jobs (like every 15 minutes) makes for tedious data entry, and I haven't found any calendar software the can do a recurring event less than daily.

[bkeadle]

Alternatively, a data entry screen for Task name, Recurrence frequency, and duration that would create an .ics - formatted file that could then be imported into a calendar program.  For example:

[Select]

BEGIN:VCALENDAR
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20131023T000000Z
DTEND:20131023T000700Z
RRULE:FREQ=MINUTELY;INTERVAL=15
SUMMARY:15 minutes (duration 7 minues)
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR

that entry would then be duplicated every 15 minutes, e.g.:

[Select]

BEGIN:VCALENDAR
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20131023T001500Z
DTEND:20131023T002200Z
RRULE:FREQ=MINUTELY;INTERVAL=15
SUMMARY:15 minutes (duration 7 minues)
END:VEVENT

BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20131023T003000Z
DTEND:20131023T003700Z
RRULE:FREQ=MINUTELY;INTERVAL=15
SUMMARY:15 minutes (duration 7 minues)
END:VEVENT

BEGIN:VCALENDAR
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20131023T004500Z
DTEND:20131023T005200Z
RRULE:FREQ=MINUTELY;INTERVAL=15
SUMMARY:15 minutes (duration 7 minues)
END:VEVENT

BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20131023T010000Z
DTEND:20131023T010700Z
RRULE:FREQ=MINUTELY;INTERVAL=15
SUMMARY:15 minutes (duration 7 minues)
END:VEVENT

[...]
END:VCALENDAR

etc.