Record of backups

[TechSupp]

Had issues qith backups of late and came to pondering does anyone keep a record of each one done i.e. a signature sheet etc? We use batch files to create baremetal backups with the inbuilt server backup program, is there anyway to make it keep a record of when it has been sucessful or not rather than going through the backup program log? Just want to make it easy to spot when a backup has not run or failed for some reason.

[Edu-IT]

We use a whiteboard in the office which has a calendar printed on it already so we can just write in the boxes in whiteboard pen.

[Ephelyon]

Depending on what you're using, can it not e-mail you if a job fails? Veeam is set to alert me that way here.

[TechSupp]

Only using the backup utility in Server 2008, dont think it has that facility.

[Ephelyon]

Not natively, but since it writes to the Event Log you can configure alerts based on that:

 

Configure Email Notification for Windows Server Backup - BlueCompute

[hallb15]

If you want a cheap but reliable software package to provide email alerting, try this out.

https://www.backupassist.com/backupassist/features/reportsandalerts.html

It costs nothing for a trial and they offer educational discount if you decide to go ahead.

 

Alternatively, do you have or know anyone who has a Buffalo NAS box - they come with a free copy of NovaStor backup software.

I may have a spare license if you want it as we aren't using it with our NAS boxes - already got Altaro installed and working well so didn't need NovaStor.

[TechSupp]

I'll have to check, and yes we have a Buffalo NAS Box.

[hallb15]

Type the serial number of your buffalo NAS into this page and it will tell you if you are entitled to the free NovaStor software:

Congratulations on your purchase of a Buffalo Drive with Free NovaBACKUP Software

[hallb15]

@TechSupp did you sort this one out?

[psydii]

Our back software emails the service desk, and someone opens the job and check all is well before closing it. This provides a record that the job ran, that it worked and that someone checked it.

[TechSupp]

@TechSupp did you sort this one out?

 

No sorry, not yet, as usual other things have overtaken it at the moment.

[hallb15]

No sorry, not yet, as usual other things have overtaken it at the moment.

OK, let me know if you do go down the NovaStor backup route.

@psydii That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? I've added our helpdesk email address to the failed backup notifications - lets hope I never need it...

[Sephiroth]

If you're using batch files, it may be easier to move over to powershell and get that to send an email. PS code for sending an email:

 

Send-MailMessage -To $MailTo -Bcc $MailBCC -From $MailFrom -Subject $MailSubject -Body $MailBody -SmtpServer $MailSMTPServer

[psydii]

You'll want to send through successes too... what if a job failed to run? If you were only passing errors to the service desk, they would not be able to tell the difference between a successful job and one that failed to run at all.