Folder replication software

[Homerboy]

I recently ditched my WHSv1 installation (RIP) and set up a Win8.1 machine to act as a "server" to house/server up all my media and also to act as storage for backup of directories from other PCs in the house.

While I realize I can use the built-in Windows 7 backup on each of the PCs, what I really want to do is replicate the file(s) from the PCs onto the server (in near-real-time or on a set schedule). Specifically on my workstation, I want to store all my photos (~300GB worth) locally, but then have all those images replicated on the server for backup purposes (and to be available from other PCs and media devices). Does that make sense?

So basically I'm looking for some software to run that I can point source and destination drives to replicate data across them.

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[nk215]

I use cobian backup to do just that. Full and incremental backups of my pictures (almost 1 TB). Note, I do backup, not data sync.

I do a full backup every month and incremental backup every day. Before deleting an old full backup, I run checksum one a bunch of random files of a new full backup to ensure there's no silent corruptions going on.

My setup is slightly different from yours. I store all my pictures on my "server computer" and use remote log onto the server for editing. (the server then run cobian backup to backup onto external HHD and NAS). RDP with remoteFx enable is fast enough for all my picture editing works.

 

[imagoon]

If you are just looking for file sync, put a scheduled task on the systems (or the "server" assuming you create an account that can log in to them) and use the built in robocopy with /MIR.

 

[Homerboy]

I use cobian backup to do just that. Full and incremental backups of my pictures (almost 1 TB). Note, I do backup, not data sync.

I do a full backup every month and incremental backup every day. Before deleting an old full backup, I run checksum one a bunch of random files of a new full backup to ensure there's no silent corruptions going on.

My setup is slightly different from yours. I store all my pictures on my "server computer" and use remote log onto the server for editing. (the server then run cobian backup to backup onto external HHD and NAS). RDP with remoteFx enable is fast enough for all my picture editing works.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Homerboy]

If you are just looking for file sync, put a scheduled task on the systems (or the "server" assuming you create an account that can log in to them) and use the built in robocopy with /MIR.

Yeah I actually thought of this option as well. I was planning on using it as a "last resort" if there wasn't something out there that fit the bill.

Thanks!

 

[sm625]

Have your computer run this batch file from a scheduled task:

IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt echo Unable to backup files
IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt pause
IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt GOTO END
xcopy  C:\MyMedia\*.*  G:\Backup  /d /e /y /v
:END

Create a blank file called "file.txt" on your server.

 

[imagoon]

Have your computer run this batch file from a scheduled task:

IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt echo Unable to backup files
IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt pause
IF NOT EXIST G:\Backup\file.txt GOTO END
xcopy  C:\MyMedia\*.*  G:\Backup  /d /e /y /v
:END

Create a blank file called "file.txt" on your server.

@echo off
IF EXIST G:\Backup\nul GOTO Backup
echo Unable to backup files
pause
goto end
:backup
robocopy c:\MyMedia G:\Backup *.* /s /e /MIR /MT:16 /R:5 /w:5 /tee /log:C:\pathtoalog/log
:end

Lot less work, mirrors, multithreaded and uses robocopy rather than xcopy which allows for deep paths, security if required etc. Don't need a "file.txt" either.

Heck you can just put the robocopy line in as a scheduled task and drop the batch file entirely.