Backing up a Windows 2003 server

[Granorense]

Hello to all, I have a windows 2003 server and I need advise in finding the best backup program for it.

I would like to be able to use an external hard drive and a program that would allow me to restore my system and data in the event of a catastrophe.

I do not trust windows backup utility, I would love to use Ghost but I don't think it would work on a server. What do you guys use or how do you do it?

Thanks, any help will be appreciated.

 

[Wizkid]

Backup Exec by Veritas is awesome

 

[Thor86]

If your data/OS is that important to you, you should be running at least a RAID 1 setup for uptime.

If you are worried about quick OS restoration, then Ghost is your best option. If you want to just backup data, just buy a tape/hd drive and do a scheduled copy.

If you are backing up critical data (ie: Exchange, IIS, System States), then I would look into the more expensive Veritas Backup Exec solutions - which do work great once setup properly.

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: Wizkid
Backup Exec by Veritas is awesome

Would it allow me to restore quickly all my files and my OS?

Thor86: I run Ghost on PCs but didn't know that there is a server version, that?s definitely a possibility, thx.

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: Granorense

Originally posted by: Wizkid
Backup Exec by Veritas is awesome

Would it allow me to restore quickly all my files and my OS?

Thor86: I run Ghost on PCs but didn't know that there is a server version, that?s definitely a possibility, thx.

We ghost servers and PCs including our DCs. we also use Veritas. Make sure you select the sys vol folder for the DCs and any other critical servers so you backup the system state and can restore quickly.

 

[networkman]

Another vote for Ghost! I use it at home both for PCs and servers; it's saved me lots of time when harddrives went bad, because I could just boot from a floppy and restore the image back onto the replacement drive. Very speedy.

 

[Granorense]

Thank you all for your help. As I said before, I love Ghost too but I just got a new copy and decided to load it in the server and it gave me a wrong OS error.

 

[networkman]

Which version are you using?

I managed to snag a corporate 7.5 version off of eBay for myself. We use 8.0 at work.

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: networkman
Which version are you using?

I managed to snag a corporate 7.5 version off of eBay for myself. We use 8.0 at work.

Version 9.0 (2005)

 

[alent1234]

what's wrong with window backup? Where I work we use it to backup exchange 2000 to the bcv volume of the SAN. the method was recommended to us by the former exchange admin of Lucent.

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: alent1234
what's wrong with window backup? Where I work we use it to backup exchange 2000 to the bcv volume of the SAN. the method was recommended to us by the former exchange admin of Lucent.

With a dedicated Exchange agent like Veritas, one can backup both the system state and the IS includign transaction logs in the same job. Otherwise, you have to run separate jobs.

 

[mboy]

If Veritas is too expensive, look @ Acronis True image.

Make backup images every nite and you will be fine.

Veritas is nice tho with their IDR (intelligent disaster recovery), but is a lot more $$$$$

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: mboy
If Veritas is too expensive, look @ Acronis True image.

Make backup images every nite and you will be fine.

Veritas is nice tho with their IDR (intelligent disaster recovery), but is a lot more $$$$$

Is it like Ghost, and can you boot from the CD in case of an emergency and restore from your image?
THX

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: Granorense

Originally posted by: mboy
If Veritas is too expensive, look @ Acronis True image.

Make backup images every nite and you will be fine.

Veritas is nice tho with their IDR (intelligent disaster recovery), but is a lot more $$$$$

Is it like Ghost, and can you boot from the CD in case of an emergency and restore from your image?
THX

Yes...and cheaper than Ghost.

 

[mboy]

AND, you can mount the image to extract ANYTHING off of it you want, mount it just like a regular drive.

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: mboy
AND, you can mount the image to extract ANYTHING off of it you want, mount it just like a regular drive.

I was reading about it on their website and sounds to good to be true!!! I will download their demo and give it a try tomorrow, I am really excited about it.

Thank you so much!

 

[bsobel]

Instead of Ghost look at the LiveState (Powerquest V2i protector) from Symantec. Hot online imaging of serves and workstations.

BackupExec is also a good choice (and since I'll own it in about a month and a half, I guess I should start mentioning it more )

Bill

 

[alent1234]

Originally posted by: dphantom

Originally posted by: alent1234
what's wrong with window backup? Where I work we use it to backup exchange 2000 to the bcv volume of the SAN. the method was recommended to us by the former exchange admin of Lucent.

With a dedicated Exchange agent like Veritas, one can backup both the system state and the IS includign transaction logs in the same job. Otherwise, you have to run separate jobs.

really, I manage Netbackup Datacenter where I work and had no idea

OP mentioned only one server and Veritas is a waste for that. Windows backup will work. I think it's actaully a lite version of Veritas like the Windows Disk Management program is a lite version of Veritas Volume Manager. The whole idea behind using a backup server is if you have multiple servers you want to backup through one interface. Veritas uses the Microsoft's API's in their software to backup Windows servers and there is no difference in the quality of the backups.

Where I work it's easier to backup exchange via NT rather than Veritas since we replicate the databases to another location. NT backup of the databases and system state to a BCV volume. Replicate the data to our EMC in Horsham. In case of disaster we have back up servers waiting to be turned on and have the databases restored on them.

We are also planning to stop doing brick level backups of exchange and doing NT backups to a BCV volume and then using Veritas to backup those files is easier to use with Ontrack Powertools