Backup solutions

[clarkea]

I am looking for a centralized backup solution that I can manage on site that backs up HyperV machines and files to either a HDD or server on site. What do you use or what would you recommend?

 

Thanks for any help

 

Adam

[ITGURU]

For all Hyper-V servers I just use the build in Windows Server Backup - I run it via a script that rotates the backups for 'today' 'yesterday' and 'older' so I can roll back/restore from at least 3 days prior.

 

only ever had to do it once when a hyper-v refused to boot past a blank screen and worked fine.

[TwistedHelixis]

I also use built in Windows backup as it supports Hyper-v. I have another windows 2012 r2 server that is setup as in ISCSI target. I look after a number of primary schools and have needed to restore on a few occasions.

 

If you want to spend some cash then I would look at Veeam https://www.veeam.com/

[markwilfan]

I use dpm. Some people love it some hate it. I love it.

 

Old job we used altaro. Defo worth a look too. Reason for using dpm over altaro for me was price and integration into shadow copies for user files

[ITGURU]

I also use built in Windows backup as it supports Hyper-v. I have another windows 2012 r2 server that is setup as in ISCSI target. I look after a number of primary schools and have needed to restore on a few occasions.

 

If you want to spend some cash then I would look at Veeam https://www.veeam.com/

 

What advantages are there over having the box set up as an iscsi target opposed to it just being a box sitting on the network accessed via unc path?

[Areku]

we have a dedicated veeam backup and replication box.

backs our entire hyperv cluster to 2 separate locations (different buildings) on to dedicated NAS boxes located in the comms cabinets. encrypted ofc

 

then for the hosts i just run veeam endpoint.

[Katy]

I use Veeam Backup+Replication (Enterprise) for VMWare but it also supports Hyper V (in fact I use the free version of Veeam to back up my home Hyper V server). Really easy to use and after years of struggling with Backup Exec I couldn't believe the difference, no more tearing hair out trying to get backup to play nicely. (I'm not on commission, honest)

 

The free version is surprisingly good (they haven't cut out anywhere near as many features as you'd have thought) but one of the best bits in Enterprise is the ability to do a Backup Copy job, which will automatically copy the output of a backup job (either by job or host or VM) to another location, be it tape or remote disk.

 

If you need it, it will also do reverse incremental backups where it performs an incremental then merges that with the existing full backup, slows down the backup a bit but speeds up recovery.

 

There is a comparison of features in each version (Free/Enterprise/Enterprise Plus) on their website which links to: https://www.veeam.com/pdf/datasheet/veeam_availability_suite_9_5_editions_comparison_en.pdf

[sparkeh]

Veeam B+R Ent - awesome piece of software and cheap as chips just to keep paying the yearly maintenance.

[mrbios]

Cheaper alternative to veeam to also consider with a very similar feature set: Arcserve UDP Data protection software | Arcserve Unified Data Protection

 

Been using this for 2 years now. Works like a charm.

[Deanuk]

No other option than Veeam Backup and Replication in my opinion.

[Katy]

The free version is surprisingly good (they haven't cut out anywhere near as many features as you'd have thought)

Okay I take this back, as the trial licence on my home server has expired and converted into the free edition - the feature comparison chart makes it look amazing but you can't even schedule a backup on the free one. But still a definite recommendation for the Enterprise version.