Simple backup and restore

[adamyoung]

I need to set up a backup that:

 

1. Keeps a full drive image

2. Keeps an incremental/differential backup of general files

 

I'm using Windows 2003 which makes it abit more difficult.

 

A non-technical person would need to restore it (even if the OS is corrupt), so a simple procedure would be great. Backups would need to be automatically scheduled and this is for a charity I help with so costs should be minimum.

 

Any ideas for software?

[Geoff]

W2k3 comes with backup software capable of what you want already. Have you looked at that?

 

Doing a restore is a technical task. You can't delegate it to someone who's non-technical.

 

Also look at implementing shadow copies.

[adamyoung]

The main thing is being able to re-image the server from a stored image should disaster occur and the server just decide its not going to play ball. I didnt think W2k3 server could do that?

[Geoff]

Works fine. Just boot from floppy and restore from backup.

[plexer]

Bare metal restore using ntbackup.

 

http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid68_gci1145063,00.html

 

Ben

[plexer]

I also agree that it has to be a technical person doing the restore.

 

With shadow copies you could give users the ability to restore their files if they delete/corrupt them.

 

Ben

[Ric_]

This ( http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/316 ) looks interesting although I haven't had chance to download and inspect it yet.

[CyberNerd]

This ( http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/ap...ectory/316 ) looks interesting although I haven't had chance to download and inspect it yet.

 

that sounds great, alternative is to image to a ghost v2i file which vmware can run.

That virtual appliance directory is excellent - so much stuff. Thanks Ric

 

damn RM - they block legitimate torrents :x ! - now I definately need an alternative ADSL line !