Which Backup Software???

[CyBeRkId2002]

Hi all,

 

Something I hadn't considered in our move up to Server 2008 is our backup solution. I have just found that Backup Exec 11d agent is not compatible with Server 2008.

 

As such we are now looking for a cost effective backup solution for our 12 servers (which will all be upgraded to Server 2008 eventually)!

 

So far our considerations are:

 

• Buy BackupExec + Agents for all the other 11 servers. - Costly but would provide the best backup solution
  
• Buy Backup Exec + a couple of Agent Licences for our more crucial servers (3x DC's, 1x Wireless Controller, SIMs, Exchange, Cashless Catering)
  
• Buy Backup Assist to install on our server and backup from network shares. I believe the main issue with this is that we are not backing up any system state info other than on the one computer it is installed on.
  
• 
  

 

Anyone have any advice on the above (or other alternatives)?

 

Thanks,

Mciahel

[smithson83]

I'm in (or will be soon) the same boat, albeit on an ultimately smaller scale as I'm in a Primary School with only two servers (possibly one or two more when I get everything set up).

 

I had considered just using Windows Backup and recover at the start at see how it managed. As far as I can see, providing you run a commandline backup and schedule the command then you can get a reasonable setup of different backup types/times.

 

Combined with a NAS as the target, you should be able to backup all servers to this, and then back the NAS up to a removable-type drive etc to be taken off site/stored in a fireproof safe a suitable distance from the servers.

 

I'm sure I'll get shot down for this, but it seems on the face of it at least, that this would be a workable solution, and Free! (ignoring hardware requirements)

Edited July 6, 2011 by smithson83

[Simcfc73]

I would recommend M$ DPM if your on a schools agreement, really easy to use and nicely scalable. I backup Hyper-v servers, clients, exchange and SQL with it.

[CyBeRkId2002]

yeah... that is also something I had considered but it just seems too simple! any other thoughts?

[CyBeRkId2002]

I would recommend M$ DPM if your on a schools agreement, really easy to use and nicely scalable. I backup Hyper-v servers, clients, exchange and SQL with it.

 

do you need SCCM for this? Not something we currently have or intend to purchase in the future.

[smithson83]

yeah... that is also something I had considered but it just seems too simple! any other thoughts?

 

Simple was the approach I was going for, I like simple, somehow it seems less complicated...

[CyBeRkId2002]

the more I look at it, the better this solution seems... it isn't centralised but I am wondering if I can get some kind of logging setup which chucks out into a central place just so I know they have run successfully etc. It seems to me that unless you pay for the AOFO/SQL/Exchange options that this is all Backup Exec etc. are doing anyway!

[smithson83]

the more I look at it, the better this solution seems... it isn't centralised but I am wondering if I can get some kind of logging setup which chucks out into a central place just so I know they have run successfully etc. It seems to me that unless you pay for the AOFO/SQL/Exchange options that this is all Backup Exec etc. are doing anyway!

 

Since to get the flexibility of specific days/times/source/targets, you have to run them as scheduled commands, you could add a line in the .cmd / .bat you schedule to output details to a log file eg \\NAS-01\Logs\Server1Backuplog.txt and just append to it. or something similar/more complex like add to a php/mysql db etc. I'm sure you should be able to run a check for a 0 output to run a sucess code, else run a failed code(will have to look into that).

 

EDIT:

looking at;

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754015(WS.10).aspx

You could run the “Wbadmin get items” cmd with some subcommands like get items etc to match what should be the name of the backup just run:

 

REM RUN BACKUP TO SELECTED TARGET

REM -----------------------------

wbadmin start backup -include:e:,d: -backupTarget:F:\ –systemstate -vsscopy

 

 

REM OUTPUT VERSION DATA TO BACKUP LOG STORAGE

REM -----------------------------------------

wbadmin get items -version:< MM/DD/YYYY-HH:MM >

-backupTarget:\\NAS-01\BACKUPS\SERVER1\

-machine:SERVER1 > \\NAS-01\Logs\Server1Backuplog.txt -a

Edited July 7, 2011 by smithson83

[Theblacksheep]

DPM2010