Question

remote user backup solution

Asked by: Ozzie75

Hello All,
I need some advice on a feasable cost effective backup solution for 150 + remote users. . Offline file sync is not an option for us, besides it never works the way it should and it doesnt back up PST's. Anyone have experience or suggestions? Any feed back is appreciated.

Im thinking of web based backups but I dont have much experience with it.

Thanks,
Oz

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Asked On
2009-03-12 at 11:43:08ID24225145
Tags

Backup Software

,

Backup services

Topics

rSync Backup Utility

,

Storage Technology

,

Backup & Restore Software

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Answers

 

by: rbarnhardtPosted on 2009-03-12 at 11:48:29ID: 23872054

We use a program called Handy Backup to sync files between remote offices and a central location. http://www.handy-backup.com/

 

by: Ozzie75Posted on 2009-03-12 at 12:05:56ID: 23872251

How does it work with users who work from home? Im on the site doing a little research.

 

by: saiprasad_kinneraPosted on 2009-03-12 at 12:36:45ID: 23872581

i would suggest to go with backup exec laptop and desktops available at below link

http://www.symantec.com/business/products/agents_options.jsp?pcid=&pvid=57_1

click on the laptop and desktop section, enroll it and you can read the white paper about the information, this will be much feasible in your environment

 

by: DextertronicPosted on 2009-03-12 at 22:48:08ID: 23876373

Backup Exec System Recovery Desktop Edition is really cool.
But if you have 150 remote users then I would suggest looking at something like terminal services and Citrix.
That way all your data stays in the data center/computer room.
So much easier to backup when  YOUR ocal data as opposed to trying to backup THEIR remote data.
We have a number of users who work permanently from home using Citrix and they enjoy the experience.
You  already have an investment in backing up your head office data.
Capitalise on your existing investment and give your remote users secure remote access to the centralised data.

 

by: rbarnhardtPosted on 2009-03-13 at 05:54:37ID: 23878625

With Handy Backup, you can configure it one of several ways. You could install the agent onto each system, and configure it to push to a destination folder. This would connect via the same VPN the clients use to connect to the office. The other way, would be to configure a central server in your office to connect to each client and pull the data. This will work as long as the user keeps a persistent connection. Depending on the amount of data, the first backup could take a little while. You can download and try it free. It is really and easy program to use.

 

by: Ozzie75Posted on 2009-03-18 at 16:46:44ID: 23925036

Dextertronic
Im assuming your users access the VPN to get to the citrix farm, right? im not to savy with Citrix but we just upgrade out server farm and are in the process of killing all of our TS. Id like more info on how your users use citrix remotley. 90% of remote users are sales people which are constantly on the road.

penny for your thoughts!

Thanks,
Oz

 

by: DextertronicPosted on 2009-03-18 at 17:41:55ID: 23925312

Citrix sits on top of terminal services.
If you were to set up a Citrix server from scratch you would first build a terminal servervices enabled windows server and then install Citrix as the final component.
Our road warrios use the following:

  • Laptop 
  • 3G internet connectivity via a PCMCIA card or USB dongle 
  • Cisco VPN for secure tunnel to head office 
  • Access to their key business applicaitons via Citrix 

The end result is similar to terminal services but only the remote application is launched on the laptop as opposed to a full windows session.

Generally faster than terminal services and also good at picking up a previous session without having to start a new one every time they connect to the Citrix farm.

We have just implemented an Cisco SSL VPN connection which avoids having to install the  full IPSEC VPN client and Citrix client on every laptop.

The thorey behind it is we don't want any data leaving the head office, everyone accesses the same set of data which sits at the head office

If we lose a laptop then there is no client information that can be pilfered.

 

by: Ozzie75Posted on 2009-03-24 at 11:45:31ID: 23971719

Does your road warrios complain about latency?

 

by: DextertronicPosted on 2009-03-24 at 15:41:45ID: 23974183

If they ever have an issue with latency it's usually just a question of reinitialising the 3G connection and reconnecting.
Doesnt happen very often.
Citrix is very well optimised for this scenario.
It does pay to make sure you have a good 3G provider with a solid network.
Defintely worth trying a few different ones out.

 

by: ai_ja_naiPosted on 2009-04-08 at 10:38:14ID: 24099853

How about Deltacopy? http://www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp
It's free, it's incremental (so that you tranfer only the changed portions of the files), it's crossplatform and it's really easy to use

 

by: jaspreetisPosted on 2009-07-03 at 12:32:10ID: 24774072

too late but take a look at - www.druvaa.com/insync/remote-backup
backs up over LAN/ WAN / VPN . uses wan optimization and some sort of data deduplication to cut bandwidth usage by about 60%

Others options are - EMC Avamar .or even Atempo.

 

by: mozcakirPosted on 2009-12-06 at 05:26:28ID: 25983358

EMC added Laptop Desktop option to Avamar. same as other Avamar features it doesnt require client licences, only licensed by deduplicated TBs.  I have seen the interface, quite nice for end users and very effective via low speed branc offices. I can recommend you to have a glance.

from emc.com
Desktop/Laptop:  Enable automatic desktop/laptop backup with ability for end-users to restore their own data at anytime, from anywhere

http://www.emc.com/products/detail/software/avamar.htm

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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