Windows Server Backup

[Michael]

Hello all,

 

In Windows Server 2008 R2, NTBackup is no more as it has been replaced with Windows Server Backup.

 

I can't work out how to script Windows Server Backup or how to create a file list like I used to with 2003 Server.

 

I would script/schedule the following:

 

%WINDIR%\system32\NTBACKUP.EXE backup "@%windir%\Backup\FileList.bks" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /m normal /j "Monday Backup" /l:s /f "G:\Backup\Monday Backup.bkf"

 

Any ideas how I can create something similar for 2008 R2? Many thanks!

[ChrisH]

You can't use a file list anymore, it will only back up volumes or systemstate. You can restore per file/folder though. You need to look in the wbadmin command.

[Michael]

Thanks, I googled wbadmin and found this. The options seem *very* limited to me.

 

I don't understand Microsoft sometimes. One minute they want to include everything in newer OSes, and then they release rubbish like this. NTBackup is much more flexible. I think I'll have to look at a third party alternative.

[Michael]

For those interested, due to the limitations of Microsoft's Windows Server Backup, I decided to use Backup Assist. This works on top and includes an easy to use interface to create custom backup jobs and also includes full reporting tools directly to your e-mail.

[Michael]

It looks very familiar to Backupassist. I'm very pleased with it and much easier to setup than Microsoft's Windows Server Backup. Backupassist still uses Windows Server Backup, but offers the user a GUI to work with which is much easier.

[Bruce123]

I wasn't a fan of Windows 2008 and later Windows 2008 R2 backup. Not initially anyway, and I wouldn't have thought I would hear myself say this but now I really like WSB that comes with Windows 2008 R2.

 

I know that having to backup a entire volume is a pain. But the following features make up for it.....

 

• The way it uses incremental backups and intelligently integrates them into a full backup.
  
• Backing up to UNC now possible (was an issue in 2008 WSB as I recall).
  
• Backup to local USB attached HDD
  
• Backup to standard VHD file
  

These features make it quite powerful.

 

Leave a USB HDD attached all week - let it do a full backup over the weekend then incrementals each evening.

 

I have found it to be rock solid, fast and reliable.

 

If you are concerned about having your backup device media "online" (and therefore suspectable to worms/hackers) then you can swap the drive once a week and use your normal Grandfather/Father/Son rotation for the USB drives.

 

Backing up to .VHD means you can very easily mount the .VHD as a new drive using Storage Manager in 2008R2 or on your own Windows 7 PC (very good in simple cases of file deletion or in a real disaster recovery scenario - no need to get your backup tape and find a suitable backup drive and software).

 

If you backup to a shared USB drive (located on another server at another site), then you can use it to do "continuous" offsite backups.

 

Thanks,

 

Bruce.