advice on back up options

[RacybabeUK]

I have been asked to find out how to get the most economical back up system for 4 desktop computers that are networked (cable) in one office but have not been configured to share files etc - the network is a peer to peer network.

The four computers have a range of OS - Win 98SE, 2000 and XP.

Each computer needs critical files to be backed up on a daily or weekly basis for disaster recovery if ever needed. I did think about nominating one of the pc's as a server but not sure if that is such a good idea??

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks.

[mikezel]

It sounds like you might be able to use batch files to do this very well.

I wrote a sort of article on backup options, and it talks about how to use batch files to accomplish this:

How to Backup Your Data (http://ricserv.servebeer.com/backup.php)

Hope you find that helpful
Mike

[kram 2.0]

What I would have done is to just simply install an extra hard drive on a computer and have that be a backup drive for all your networked computer - optimally, probably the WinXP one, since it's the most network capable.

Hope that helps,
kram

[Jaggannath]

Yup, I would think that an extra HD would be a good option, and most likely the cheapest. You can set the batch operation to run overnight whilst the computers aren't in use, and it can back up all your data straight onto the HD

[glc]

On a peer to peer network, you must configure them to share files in order to use any kind of centralized backup solution. You just need to determine what kind of device and media you wish to use, and go from there. Device and media choice would be determined by the approximate size of the backup jobs and speed requirements - and whether you want to store backups offsite (recommended). If you wish to do offsite storage, CD-R is most economical and convenient if the daily jobs will be less than about 1 gigabyte, otherwise, it's hard to beat good old tape backup. If you are satisfied with onsite storage only, a hard drive would be fine, either external USB/Firewire or internal in one machine.

This is a very reasonably priced software package for what you need.

http://www.stompsoft.com/bump/

This can essentially automate the job.

Edit: A DVD burner would be an attractive option, even an inexpensive single layer disk can hold at least 5 gigs of compressed data and you could even use rewritables to keep the media cost down - put the media on a rotation schedule and erase them.

[RacybabeUK]

Wow thanks everyone for the information - i have copied it all on to one sheet of A4 and willl be showing my boss next week to get agreement on which is best - the back up package at stompsoft only gave price in $ for America - do they sell this in England UK?

[wjperry]

Another very good software package I have used both at my home and a large peer to peer (11 users) network can be found at the address below. They also have plugins that will backup outlook and registeries, all automatically and scheduled.

http://www.handybackup.com

[glc]

http://www.softwaregalaxy.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=52_86_100&products_id=169

49 quid. You can download a 30 day trial before you buy it.

[RacybabeUK]

Brilliant - thanks again!