shwelopo
asked on
backup computers on Workgroup
Good morning all,
How do I setup an external hard drive system that backups up all computers including the server on a workgroup? I have about 10 machines iand a laptop. Thank you.
How do I setup an external hard drive system that backups up all computers including the server on a workgroup? I have about 10 machines iand a laptop. Thank you.
You have a server and you DON'T have a domain? Not easy. Problem is credentials on all machines. You'll have to set them up with the same user account name and password. Then you should be able to create a script that copies data. If you setup the server in a domain with Essentials Role (Assuming 2012 R2 or later) you could setup workstation backup.
This will depend somewhat on what you mean by "external hard drive", but I'll take it as a commercial, off-the-shelf, enclosed hard drive that connects via USB. Many of these units come with backup software which will likely address your needs. Otherwise, Windows Backup will probably be good enough.
You would attach the external hard drive to a machine, then use that machine to share the hard drive so it's visible to the other clients on the network. You would then install and/or configure your backup software to back up to the shared, external hard drive.
All in all, it should be very straightforward.
You would attach the external hard drive to a machine, then use that machine to share the hard drive so it's visible to the other clients on the network. You would then install and/or configure your backup software to back up to the shared, external hard drive.
All in all, it should be very straightforward.
Hi
There are many way to accomplish this but a common method in a non-domain environment could be something like -
First decide what it is you need to backup on the workstations and the server.
It would normally be something like the My Documents Folder on the workstations, This can be backed up to
the server using something like This
But there are other built in methods in Windows.
Then the External Drive can be connected to the server where whatever needs to be backed up on the server and the backups
from the workstations can the be backed up again. This gives you multiple copies for security and ensures everything is backed up.
Also, the external drive could be removed to satisfy a need for an off-site backup.
This is a common scenario but of course there are problems. Lack of reporting on failures is one, no easy way of testing restores is another. But it might be of use for you.
There are many way to accomplish this but a common method in a non-domain environment could be something like -
First decide what it is you need to backup on the workstations and the server.
It would normally be something like the My Documents Folder on the workstations, This can be backed up to
the server using something like This
But there are other built in methods in Windows.
Then the External Drive can be connected to the server where whatever needs to be backed up on the server and the backups
from the workstations can the be backed up again. This gives you multiple copies for security and ensures everything is backed up.
Also, the external drive could be removed to satisfy a need for an off-site backup.
This is a common scenario but of course there are problems. Lack of reporting on failures is one, no easy way of testing restores is another. But it might be of use for you.
I'm assuming you want data backed up and not complete images.
I'd add a slight bit of complication to this. If the external drive is shared, then ransomware on ANY of your computers can trash it.
I'd use an extra computer (you can find suitable used ones for $200 or less) to do the backup. Hook the backup drive to it and pull the data from the other computers to the external drive. I like to use Carbonite as an additional safeguard ($60/year).
If you use SyncBackSE ($40 from 2brightsparks.com) to do the copies, you can have journaling where it keeps old copies of the files. This can be VERY useful if a computer gets hit with ransomware.
I'd add a slight bit of complication to this. If the external drive is shared, then ransomware on ANY of your computers can trash it.
I'd use an extra computer (you can find suitable used ones for $200 or less) to do the backup. Hook the backup drive to it and pull the data from the other computers to the external drive. I like to use Carbonite as an additional safeguard ($60/year).
If you use SyncBackSE ($40 from 2brightsparks.com) to do the copies, you can have journaling where it keeps old copies of the files. This can be VERY useful if a computer gets hit with ransomware.
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Thank you Rindi and all. i did the shared folders to the server. i was trying to backup their machines in case the instructions are not always followed.
Just warn the users that anything not on the server is not being backed up, and the user will then be held responsible.
If this were a domain, you could just use folder redirection and all the files saved on the desktop and in the My Documents folders would be stored on the server. Then you backup the server and in turn, the users. People don't have to think... Of course, that's just one advantage of a domain...
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" Laptop users will want the data available to them when they leave the premises ": If they are running the Pro version of Windows, look into Offline Files. It will make it look like it is always connected to the shared folder. Just ask if you want more details.