Backup for Primary School

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One of my schools has asked me to get the backup side of things updated as they've just moved their sims from the admin computer (which I was not responsible for) to one of the curriculum server (which is part of my role).

At present we have a 20/40Gb SCSI tape drive which is just not coping with the level of backups required although it will handle the sims data easily so I'm looking for other options that can handle the childrens and staff data and system state backups.

Bearing in mind this is a primary school we're not looking to spend thousands on this recommendations would be appreciated.

One small factor very much in our favour is the caretaker who is an absolute gem and who makes the backup tape changing part of his evening routine so any changes won't require an edict from on high.

[pooley]

External terrabyte drive's are less than £100 these days, thats what I use.

[mrtechsystems]

Supporting Primary schools myself I use Usb Iomega Rev Drive and x 2 Discs
good for putting one in the safe

[Michael]

Either a better tape drive or NAS. NAS is more popular these days and obviously doesn't need you to be there to change a tape

[mossj]

External terrabyte drive's are less than £100 these days, thats what I use.

this, lengthen, length

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Thanks for those so far...

Any suggestions on software?

[rocknrollstar]

I recommend using SyncBack SE (2BrightSparks | SyncBackSE | Features) Buy the pro version (still very cheap). Then buy a external usb drive as suggested.

The software allows you to configure various backup options to various different machines. It's highly flexible, backups can be scheduled, and it has different options to mirror directories, keep them synced etc. It gives you good logs of what's been backup'd up, which gives you peace of mind. You can download a 30day trial to see if it suits your needs. Software is less than £40.

I'm a network manager at a junior school (although I am a full time teacher ), and have found it to be a very workable solution. Once setup, I don't really have to check it very often.

Also, I've bought 3 usb drives and put them in 3 seperate locations around the school. Only downer is that the computers attached have to be on for it to work.

[elsiegee40]

External hard drive -we're we've got one networked in a building far far away from the main one. They're cheap as chips now and you could buy 2 and swap them out. They're a relief after the temperamental tape drives!