Windows 7 Backup
I have a small SBS network with 8 machines.
I would like an automated way to trigger the Windows 7 backup that is centrally controlled by the server. So, every machine backs up automatically at a given interval, but that the reports, the "push" trigger, etc... is controlled by the server.
Right now we use scheduled tasks on each individual machine, but when someone's laptop is not there, or there is a network issue (occasionally we get a permissions denied error) that breaks it. Plus, there is no real good way to generate a report from this.
I fell like SBS 2008 should be able to do this, and would like to avoid buying something like backup exec.
I would like an automated way to trigger the Windows 7 backup that is centrally controlled by the server. So, every machine backs up automatically at a given interval, but that the reports, the "push" trigger, etc... is controlled by the server.
Right now we use scheduled tasks on each individual machine, but when someone's laptop is not there, or there is a network issue (occasionally we get a permissions denied error) that breaks it. Plus, there is no real good way to generate a report from this.
I fell like SBS 2008 should be able to do this, and would like to avoid buying something like backup exec.
Hi.
The problem you mention is availability. If the laptop is not home, he cannot backup - understood.
So why not go this way: deploy a scheduled task again at the client side that starts the backup and if not successful, reschedules the task (+24 hours for example). Like this: schedule it to run at 10:00. Action: run a batch (backup.bat) consisting of the 2 lines:
your backupcommand here
if %errorlevel% EQU 1 at 10:00 backup.bat
[please note that "at 10:00 backup.bat" is the actual command to reschedule the batch to run at 10:00 next morning!]
The problem you mention is availability. If the laptop is not home, he cannot backup - understood.
So why not go this way: deploy a scheduled task again at the client side that starts the backup and if not successful, reschedules the task (+24 hours for example). Like this: schedule it to run at 10:00. Action: run a batch (backup.bat) consisting of the 2 lines:
your backupcommand here
if %errorlevel% EQU 1 at 10:00 backup.bat
[please note that "at 10:00 backup.bat" is the actual command to reschedule the batch to run at 10:00 next morning!]
ASKER
McKnife:
You have essentially stated how I have it setup now. The problem is not the execution of the backup, the problem is getting notified when it fails and why it failed...
You have essentially stated how I have it setup now. The problem is not the execution of the backup, the problem is getting notified when it fails and why it failed...
Maybe I have misunderstood the question but SBS 2008 only manages its own backup. Very seldom are individual PC's backed up as they should not have any data on them. SBS will generate a report for it's own backup but if you are backing up WIn7 machines using it's own utility there is no way to monitor the success or failure. You can with a 3rd party applications or you can script e-mailing you a copy of the log file.
Having said that with SBS 2011 Essentials or Windows Home Server which does backup all PC's (WHS up to 10 and SBS 2011 Essentials up to 25), by installing an agent on each PC. This uses de-duplication so that if multiple PC's have the same file, such as many of the Windows files, it only backs up the file once but creates a pointer for each PC on which it was installed. This makes for very space efficient backups. May SBS's have added a WHS to the network for tihs purpose. The deluxe version of this is Windows Strage Server 2011 Essential which is quite affordable, and can join the SBS domain.
http://www.smallbizserver.com/
There is also the Offline files feature with any server which can sync your My Documents folder, or other configured folders, with the server. This allows you to have a local copy which syncs with the server when you connect to the server so it is backed up.
Having said that with SBS 2011 Essentials or Windows Home Server which does backup all PC's (WHS up to 10 and SBS 2011 Essentials up to 25), by installing an agent on each PC. This uses de-duplication so that if multiple PC's have the same file, such as many of the Windows files, it only backs up the file once but creates a pointer for each PC on which it was installed. This makes for very space efficient backups. May SBS's have added a WHS to the network for tihs purpose. The deluxe version of this is Windows Strage Server 2011 Essential which is quite affordable, and can join the SBS domain.
http://www.smallbizserver.com/
There is also the Offline files feature with any server which can sync your My Documents folder, or other configured folders, with the server. This allows you to have a local copy which syncs with the server when you connect to the server so it is backed up.
ASKER
Is SBS 2011 Essentials the same as SBS 2011?
I have SBS 2011 Standard. Does it have this glorious feature?
I have SBS 2011 Standard. Does it have this glorious feature?
No SBS 2011 standard has Exchange and SharePoint.
SBS 2011 Essentials does not have Exchange or SharePoint, but does have client (PC) backup.
You can add to an SBS 2011 standard network; a Windows Home Server or a Windows Storage Server 2011 Essentials. to manage client backup.
SBS 2011 Essentials does not have Exchange or SharePoint, but does have client (PC) backup.
You can add to an SBS 2011 standard network; a Windows Home Server or a Windows Storage Server 2011 Essentials. to manage client backup.
ASKER
So that still doesn't solve my issue. How can we centrally control the backups under SBS 2008?
SBSS 2008 does not provide any built in client backup. You must use an add-on product, either from MS or a 3rd party. Full stop.
ASKER
What is the most cost effective add-on product? (An MS product would be preferred).
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Ok. We have a 3TB Linux file server that currently houses the 7 backups, and then uses rsync to send them off site. This is ideal (when Windows actually backs up properly) because it sends differentials to the remote system.
Does Windows storage server essentials create fresh full images each time it backs up, or are there incremental zip files like win7 makes?
Does Windows storage server essentials create fresh full images each time it backs up, or are there incremental zip files like win7 makes?
Incrementals. Very efficient system
ASKER
Is this a released product?
My Ingram Micro and Tech Data accounts only show Storage Server 2008. Not essentials...
My Ingram Micro and Tech Data accounts only show Storage Server 2008. Not essentials...
You cannot buy Windows Storage Server Essentials as a software package. It is a special OEM (though not really OEM) licensing such that you can only buy it pre-installed on hardware. I think Western digital may have it but there are a few Microsoft SBS MVP's who took the necessary steps to become resellers as they felt it was an amazing product and wanted it readily available in a customization format.
The fellow in the US doing so is http://www.smallbizserver.com/
The fellow in Australia is:
http://boonbox.powerbiz.net.au/specifications.html
And there may be one in England as well.
Home server is available as software.
The fellow in the US doing so is http://www.smallbizserver.com/
The fellow in Australia is:
http://boonbox.powerbiz.net.au/specifications.html
And there may be one in England as well.
Home server is available as software.
PS- If you have an Action Pack Subscription I believe Windows Storage server Essentials is available through it.
Perhaps what you could do is to do this the other way around. Set up each computer to have their files shared (i.e. Documents, Pictures, etc.) and have these accessible to the server. Then run your server backup program (or schedule it) set up to copy the information from the client computers to the server. I 'believe' this should also generate a report if one location was not backed up the last time the backup was ran.
Again, not too familiar with SBS 2008, but I hope this idea helps.