Enabling shadow copies / previous versions, any pointers?

[PrimaryTech]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking to enable Shadow copies on my file server to enable users to restore their own files (and to save me time). Has anyone got any tips / pointers before I start? My file server is running Server 2008 R2 and I have good, full backups of all volumes / folders. I will be continuing with backups alongside Shadow Copy, so it won't be my single recovery option. I'm currently using this guide to undertake the process: Configuring Volume Shadow Copy on Windows Server 2008 - Techotopia

[3s-gtech]

I implemented it using separate volumes - extra disks presented to the VM which were then dedicated to the process. This was to improve performance and storage capacity. All of my file servers have this, and it means that my shadow copies tend to have a decent lifespan (when I did it in-drive, I used to only have a couple of snapshots available - now it can be weeks' worth).

[PrimaryTech]

That sounds good, I have 2x 3TB drives so one will be hosting all the shares and the other will be hosting the shadow copies. Is there anything special I have to do when backing up the volume with the shadow copies on? Currently backing up to encrypted external drives using Windows Server Backup / robocopy.

[ItsOggy]

I've never used separate disks for shadow copies, always just turned it on with the default schedules and never looked at it again other than to grab files.

 

As long as the drive has some free space it will be fine and manage it's self.

 

Your Robocopy won't take the shadow copies, just the live data.

 

I have VM's so I backup with veeam. If I need to look at older shadow copies it means restoring the VM to a dev location to investigate old ones but again you'll probably never need that!

[snagrat]

I do t suppose you use DPM but we have it setup so users can pull the shadow copies directly from the backup via he shadow copy window

[ItsOggy]

I've always let them right-click and use restore previous veraions.

[Davit2005]

Always have used a second disk for Shadow Copies. And have always set schedule for midnight and midday.

 

Once students and staff get used to the facility it cuts down needles admin restore rate by at least 50%.