memo242
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Best way to backup SBS 2003
HI,
I have an SBS 2003 standard installed in a medical office. I need some suggestions from the experts on the best way to backup this server...Currently i have 2 external hard drives that i use for backups. One drive is scheduled for backup on Mon-Wed-Fri and one for Tus-Thru and Sat. My questions are "I hope you can address them one by one" :
1- Is it better to eliminate the external hard drives and invest in a tape backup drive?
2- If so, what is a recommended tape backup drive. Also should i get internal or external device?
3- What is the recommended schedule for a tape drive backup. Daily/Weekly/Monthly!!!
4- How do i cover myself if the serve goes down. How can i create a backup of the entire settings and files of the server including active directory components, exchange server, group polices, and all other sbs settings.
5- I am running my own exchange server on the sbs box. How can i backup users mailboxes and settings..
6- Is there a backup software solution that anyone recommends.
In Brief, I need to be ready in case of a disaster.
Thanks very much for addressing all my questions!!!
I have an SBS 2003 standard installed in a medical office. I need some suggestions from the experts on the best way to backup this server...Currently i have 2 external hard drives that i use for backups. One drive is scheduled for backup on Mon-Wed-Fri and one for Tus-Thru and Sat. My questions are "I hope you can address them one by one" :
1- Is it better to eliminate the external hard drives and invest in a tape backup drive?
2- If so, what is a recommended tape backup drive. Also should i get internal or external device?
3- What is the recommended schedule for a tape drive backup. Daily/Weekly/Monthly!!!
4- How do i cover myself if the serve goes down. How can i create a backup of the entire settings and files of the server including active directory components, exchange server, group polices, and all other sbs settings.
5- I am running my own exchange server on the sbs box. How can i backup users mailboxes and settings..
6- Is there a backup software solution that anyone recommends.
In Brief, I need to be ready in case of a disaster.
Thanks very much for addressing all my questions!!!
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slight rewrite:
Btw - if you've got the budget, buying a complete duplicate copy of your main server hardware and pre-installing it with your existing SBS2003 license (but don't activate the license) is very sensible and inexpensive way of ensuring the fastest possible Disaster Recovery. Don't rely on getting spare parts from a supplier as part of a DR plan - especially as you're in the medical industry!
Btw - if you've got the budget, buying a complete duplicate copy of your main server hardware and pre-installing it with your existing SBS2003 license (but don't activate the license) is very sensible and inexpensive way of ensuring the fastest possible Disaster Recovery. Don't rely on getting spare parts from a supplier as part of a DR plan - especially as you're in the medical industry!
'very sensible and inexpensive way of ensuring the fastest possible Disaster Recovery'
That depends on your server hardware!! But were possible would indeed be a great idea :)
Adam
That depends on your server hardware!! But were possible would indeed be a great idea :)
Adam
He he - yeah, depends on config. But with Quad core, 4Gb RAM, 750Gb usable RAID 10 servers from Dell cosing under $2000 at the moment, I wouldn't have thought it would be mega bucks!
We have hot spares like this at several clients - it's so much cheaper to implement than a live spare using an sbs aware sync program like doubletake
We have hot spares like this at several clients - it's so much cheaper to implement than a live spare using an sbs aware sync program like doubletake
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ASKER
great suggestions...thanks to all
Btw - if you've got the budget, buying a complete duplicate copy of your main server and pre-installing it with SBS2003 (but don't activate the license) is very sensible and inexpensive way of ensuring the fastest possible Disaster Recovery. Don't rely on getting spare parts from a supplier as part of a DR plan - especially as you're in the medical industry!