Best way to manage and backup my data?

[archcommus]

Here will be my setup soon:

Main computer, my desktop, one 120 GB HDD, split up into a Programs and Documents partition, ALL documents are in my documents partition ( D: ).

Second computer, HP Tablet PC tc4200, 60 GB HDD.

Also one external 80 GB HDD.

Also one network folder on college campus.

Here is the situation: All of my documents will be stored AND CREATED/EDITED on my desktop EXCEPT for school documents, which will either be created on the desktop or on the laptop, depending on where I am when I'm working.

This is what I want to do. Every night, I want to get the most up-to-date version of my school documents, whether the latest version is on the laptop or on the desktop, onto both computers. After that is done, I want to make an exact copy of my documents partition on my desktop onto my laptop. This will ensure that first, both computers have the latest school documents, and second, both computers have the exact same copy of the latest copies of ALL my documents.

Third, I want a completely updated copy of all my school documents backed up to my network folder nightly, and fourth, that same copy of my documents partition that is on both my desktop and laptop, I'd also like transferred to my external HDD.

Now, up until now I've been using sync software called ViceVersa Pro to automatically compare and update my external HDD. But now, with two new places to store documents, and with some documents not being created on my desktop, it seems like the sync software might be too confusing. How can I streamline this process better?

Cliffs:
Some documents created on desktop, some created on laptop.
Want a full, up-to-date version of all documents on desktop and laptop each night.
Also want full, up-to-date copy on external drive nightly.
Also want up-to-date copy of all SCHOOL DOCS ONLY transferred to the network folder nightly.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I think a sync'ing program similar to the one you have (or SyncBack) is the way to go, but you'll still have to break each step into a separate project.

 

[archcommus]

Seems...inefficient. There must be a way to connect both the laptop and the external drive, click on thing, and have everything get synced up at high speeds.

Who else has a lot of data in many different places? How do you back it all up and keep it up-to-date?

 

[neit]

You seem to be getting to the point of organization where you should edit files directly on the server (network drive). Try to map the network drive to both the desktop and laptop and try and see if the speeds will hold up for you. Repeatedly creating/destroying files will eventually lead to corrupt data (unlikely) or a tricky logistical situation (much more likely).

Using a central repository for all your files and editing them on the fly is probably your best bet. To the best of my knowledge windows is smart enough to bring the file locally, and then when it is saved with a change it will send it back to the remote drive.

It seems to me you really just want a central repository for all the files you will be using, as having multiple versions floating around is in no one's interest.

 

[skisteven1]

I've spent some time trying to do stuff like this, and the short answer is: there's no easy way.

none.

I don't care what the stripper tells you, there is no easy way.

but yeah, setting up a sync program like the one you've got /works/, and I say that hesitantly, because it takes a lot of work to set up, and doesn't work real transparently like you're looking for. Assuming the desktop is online all the time, you can work on your files via the network drive like shahbazq said. That's a good way to do it, though you WILL notice a performance hit. What I ended up doing in my situation was just doing most of my "documents" work on the laptop, and using the desktop for other stuff. And I do manual backups once a week or so.

Another option is buy a 1GB or something (depends how much school stuff you have) flash drive to just keep your school stuff on, and move that to whatever computer you're working on.

 

[archcommus]

If I was older and had my own home, I would do exactly what you said: have a file server, and access those files from every other computer in the house through the network. However, that is not possible now, as this situation I am describing will be on campus, and the network folder I refer to is the one on the school's network that they let me use. I can't really store gigs of data on it.

So, the documents must be stored on the desktop, laptop, or both. I prefer to have a main copy of everything plus two backups. Any more than that is overboard; but only one backup isn't quite safe enough for me. In this case, my desktop could be my main copy, and my laptop and external drive could serve as the two backups. That would satisfy me backup-wise. But apparently in such a setup, sync software is the only way.

Would it perhaps be a better route to make incremental Ghost images of my D: partition on my desktop to both the laptop and external drive? Instead of mucking with individual files.

 

[skisteven1]

sure, long as you don't care about accessing the files on your laptop and external drive. Ghost is ok for doing backups... but that's about it. and IMHO, the new verions really suck @ss.

And for the record, even 2 backups is overboard, and is probably going to complicate your whole setup by a lot. Hard drives are stable these days (ie. past 8-10 years). The chances that you'll have two crap out on you at the same time are next to NOTHING.

If you really like the client server model, here's what you can do (also something I considered, since i'm pretty much in the same boat -- desktop, laptop, external, school network): set up a VPN server on your desktop, which you would have to leave online all the time. Keep your files there. Share the stuff (password protect it). do the network folder thing on your laptop. When they're both on the local net, no worries. When you're not online, it can be set to cache the files. When you're online somewhere else, dial through the VPN, and *bam* you're on the local net again. As for the external, set the desktop to do a backup nightly (via sync software, bat file, whatever), and completely ignore the school network drive.

 

[archcommus]

The only reason I feel two backups are necessary is because, if one ever fails, it *might* be awhile before I get it replaced, depending on available funds. So it'd be good to still have two copies for that duration.

Ghost would be good for incremental backups as long as it really only copied over the files necessary, i.e. new and changed files. If it copied more than it had to it'd be a waste of time.

However, I like what you suggest about the VPN, since having a central source accessible from everywhere always sounds like a nice idea. I do need some things clarified, however. First, how to go about setting up the VPN in the first place? Second, what do you mean by "do the network folder thing on your laptop." Keep in mind, the desktop will be connected to the net in my dorm 24/7. The laptop will conenct to the same internet (campus internet) either wirelessly or wired in another building (or in my dorm, at times). So how exactly would I access that shared folder on my desktop from the laptop?

 

[statik213]

robocopy and a lot of scripting...

 

[jamesbond007]

Acronis True Image? There's a LOT of backup options in there that range from automatic ones to incremental/modified files and you can do a drive or just a folder.

I know www.newegg.com carries it for a good price.

EDIT: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

 

[skisteven1]

Originally posted by: archcommus
The only reason I feel two backups are necessary is because, if one ever fails, it *might* be awhile before I get it replaced, depending on available funds. So it'd be good to still have two copies for that duration.

You still only need one backup man. If one of your two (three) copies dies, you still have your external drive or whatever to *make* another backup on. If you've got the resources now, you'll have them then. But hey, it's your time to be spent setting it up, not mine.

 

[beatle]

I really don't see why scheduling three different Viceversa jobs won't do the trick.

1) Mirror laptop + desktop files with the newest file taking precedence.
2) Mirror desktop to external drive.
3) Mirror desktop to network folder.

Just space them out by an hour or two depending on the amount of data and you should be fine.

 

[skisteven1]

Originally posted by: beatle
I really don't see why scheduling three different Viceversa jobs won't do the trick.

1) Mirror laptop + desktop files with the newest file taking precedence.
2) Mirror desktop to external drive.
3) Mirror desktop to network folder.

Just space them out by an hour or two depending on the amount of data and you should be fine.

Absolutely.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: skisteven1

Originally posted by: beatle
I really don't see why scheduling three different Viceversa jobs won't do the trick.

1) Mirror laptop + desktop files with the newest file taking precedence.
2) Mirror desktop to external drive.
3) Mirror desktop to network folder.

Just space them out by an hour or two depending on the amount of data and you should be fine.

Absolutely.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'll be doing. Should be okay.