Backup Software

[Ob1]

I am looking for some information on backup software? What is the best backup software on the market right now? what are some things that i should look for when looking at backup software?

i have norton ghost which i use to create an image file of my hard drive, but im looking for another program to use that will back up important documents and other stuff with relative ease for work. we r running win2k server. please help!!!!!!


Ob1
U do want to reply

[glc]

There are no inexpensive backup solutions that will install on windows server. Be prepared to pay $500+ for Arcserve or Backup Exec.

Use the builtin NT Backup, it's actually pretty good.

[TwoRails]

I'm ignorant when it comes to W2K, let alone the server version, so I hope this post is not too far off the mark. SyncBack does networking, don't know if that means it will do what you want.

[mairving]

Originally Posted by glc There are no inexpensive backup solutions that will install on windows server. Be prepared to pay $500+ for Arcserve or Backup Exec. Use the builtin NT Backup, it's actually pretty good.

You got that right. I use Veritas Backup Exec. To give an example of the expense, I was using version 8.5 on an NT Server/Exchange 5.5/SQL Server 2000. Well after I upgraded my network to a W2K/Exchange 2000 one the Exchange Agent would no longer work so I had to upgrade. Well it turns out that the upgrade version with all of the options was about $1300. I was able to do a workaround on this and avoid spending the money but that is just an example. Part of that expense is that you buy Backup Exec Server, then you buy agents as needed. There are remote agents, Exchange agents and SQL Server agents. These agents allow you to backup without shutting down the databases.

Backup Exec works pretty well but is a severe pain to get working properly. Be prepared to spend a few weeks before you get your first successful backup. I thought about replacing BE awhile back with a Retrospect by Dantz. Retrospect really is a nice backup program. I think a little better than BE but it wouldn't work for me. The reason is that I backup 4 FreeBSD servers. BE has a Linux agent that will backup up the BSD servers. Retrospect doesn't so that killed the deal for me. I have never used ArcServe and I don't know of anyone that uses it that likes it much.

[glc]

They are all a pain in the neck and expensive. If you are just backing up a single server with nothing fancy, just use ntbackup and do it manually. Automation costs dearly.

[wolfhound]

Can you use Veritas Backup Exec for a simple home network? I have a copy due to an office closing and would like to try it out. Would it be hard to set-up?

I am just trying to back-up some files from various machines on my network.

Thanks.

[glc]

What number version? Server or Desktop? There's many different flavors out there.

[Rick Hall]

My personal preference is Acronis software

http://www.acronis.com

[wolfhound]

glc,

9.0 Server


My goal is to configure it to go out on the net work and grab the .pst files from my machine and my wife's downstairs. Then backup our digital pictures.
All of this on a schedule. I can't even see the other machines so this seems to be my first hurdle to overcome.

[glc]

That will only install on NT/2K/2K3 SERVER. It will not work on a workstation OS.

[grcr99]

Here is something that works very well and is easy to manage.

http://www.peersoftware.com/index.asp

[Panama Red]

Edited the Acronis links. Spelling errors can cause confusion! Acromis is a surgery site.