Windows Domain Environment - Data Duplication

[Saga]

I have a Windows-based environment of roughly 25 users, and currently utilize backup exec for such things as our file servers, exchange servers, etc.

I have a unique problem that cannot be immediately solved by utilizing Symantec's backup suite or similar tools. Each user has a home folder that is attached to their AD account and is automatically mapped on login. Due to the nature of our business, 95% of the machines are laptops and mobility is essential, however this provides unique scenarios for backing up data.

Rather than using the group policy to enforce mapping the home folder to the file server, which would only cause issues with users either saving it somewhere else to be accessed from outside the office, I need to find some type of a solution that will essentially copy the file contents of the users my documents folder (preferably with the ability to filter specific file types so I can ignore videos, mp3's, etc..) and basically just clone their data to their mapped home directory.

This does a few things. It allows me to directly backup individual workstations important files simply by backing up the file server, and in the instance where a users machine fails this allows very swift recovery of data.

The only catch is I'm currently at a loss for software that will do exactly what I need it to do, and I'm struggling with googgling anything that isn't a full blown data backup requiring user-run synchronization clients. I need this to be completely automated and, preferably, run in the background so the user doesn't see it happening.

Any suggestions?

P.S. If this belongs in one of the other thousand subjections of Software, please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[stash]

Rather than using the group policy to enforce mapping the home folder to the file server, which would only cause issues with users either saving it somewhere else to be accessed from outside the office, I need to find some type of a solution that will essentially copy the file contents of the users my documents folder (preferably with the ability to filter specific file types so I can ignore videos, mp3's, etc..) and basically just clone their data to their mapped home directory.

Not sure if I follow... If using folder redirection doesn't solve the problem of users saving to directories other than the one being redirected, how will a solution that copies the documents folder to the share be any better?

You should be able to do what you are looking for with folder redirection and offline files.

 

[Saga]

Are both folder redirection and offline files configurable from the group policy, or does it require individual user configuration?

 

[stash]

They are both configurable through GPOs.