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online backup

hello.

I have a question. Is it possible to make backup of computers(workstations) over network and save this backup files on the storage server and how can i do it?. So i have server, 30 workstations and i need to make scheduled backup of some users files and settings. The server is Win 2000, and workstations have different OSes: win XP, Win ME, win 2000 workstation.

Any advice would be appreciated.
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IPKON_Networks

Cheapest solution would be to run a scheduled backup on the workstations using NTBACKUP.EXE. You can install this on the Windows ME but comes with the others (assuming they are professional versions).

Perform a system state or a selective backup of the files you require to a disk location. This can be on the local PC and then  moved later, or on a network share directly.

A more secure method (although this does work well for small offices) is to use a backup agent on the workstations and perform centralised backups. This will obviously have a cost implication as each agent generally costs money.

There are other free backup client solutions out there but for a windows environment, I would stick with the out of the box services in your case.

Hope this helps
Barny
You can use a program like Genie Backup http://www.genie-soft.com/products/gbmpro/default.html It will guide you through most of the heavy configurations and then let you backup onto your computer.

Regarding online backup take a look www.theoutsourcingco.com use their online file folder to backup.  They have 24x7 backup and their prices are often better than Godaddy.com.  
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ASKER

thanks Barny.
I think that NTBACKUP.EXE is not very handly. About some free software i don't trust them, i'd better pay money and not worring. You wrote about some agents which are installed on each workstation, can you tell me more about this kind of backup, and may be suggest me some sollutions, cause i have no idea about it.

for grakem
thanks for your links, is the first one can allow me to backup as much commputers as i want, i didn't find the answer there.
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ASKER

so in simple i want this way:
i want to sit in my chair in front of my computer(server), and by clicking on the mouse button make backup of my remote workstations to the specified network drive. and i'd like to backup only windows and may be some necessary files and programs in order to restore users system if they fall down.
Hi!

As Barny said, you need to install a server enterprise backup solution on your storage server and this software agents\clients on all other comps. If these agents are installed you will be able to manage backup\restore tasks through the network at the same time.
IMHO Acronis True Image Enterprise Server will suite you. It can execute scheduled backup, showing user the state of all systems in the network; also manages group tasks, restores an image previously created to a different hardware. If I'm not mistaken it will cost you about $3000 for all machines.
So the best way for an office with several dozens of machines is to install and set up Windows with all needed programs on one comp only once, create and save the image of this comp on the storage server. If any other comp crashes or you have a new machine, you can simply restore this image on this comp.
here is one more vote for Acronis True Image...
great product.
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ASKER

thanks Slaid for an advice and calculating, so i think that 3000$ is quite a good price for being anxious about users data. i think at first i'll download a trial version and then if everything would be alright i'll buy it.
For 800 bucks you can try out my solution if you want to save money and do the same thing
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ASKER

hello grakem. What do you mean your sollution? are you about Genie Backup? i've checked there site, but can't fined ny enterprise sollutions, it's (may be i'm wrong) li True image home for local users. any way i've never heard abot this prog.