Backup Files To Dedicated Network PC

[Direwolf35]

Hello all,

I've set up an old Pentium III 1 ghz with a 300gig hard drive and installed it on my network as a dedicated backup machine for my family room pc, wireless laptop and my office pc.

Everything is set up and working perfectly, files transfer just fine, Acronis True image makes the image file and I have the files backed up.

My only real complaint and question is speed. I noticed that when I run Acronis True image the CPU process on the machine it runs on spikes to 100% and the file transfer seems a bit slow. Also a normal file transfer isn't bad but i wish it would be better.

I guess my question would be "is this the best way to run a backup for all my machines given the way I have my machines and network set up? If it is is there any way to increase the file transfer between machines on my network? Is a server the answer??? (I know nothing about servers) Linksys router with wireless and cable modem.

[bailey]

a lot would depend on how the systems are networked and what hardware your using in the network.

[edfair]

The question might be: Do you really need to back up everything to image it or are you just interested in a backup of data?

There are backup solutions that will transfer just the files that are new or changed from a list of directories that you furnish. That cuts down on the overhead.

I've generally found that the more efficient backups come when I give the proper thought to it before I load the first operating system. The default installs are the easiest for the people selling the OS or for the store that is putting it together for you, not for your special interests.

The meter will still go to 100% but for a shorter time.

[glc]

I believe the newest version of True Image can do incrementals - once the "master" image is done, subsequent backups won't take too long.