What is the best backup solution for Windows Server Standard 2016 with Hyper-V and two guest VMs?
Hi experts,
I would say my technical level as far as servers is about a 5 to 6 out of 10. The IT person setting up the server would be a 12. He makes sure I have good quality hardware and software, but he also doesn't always recommend the most expensive. For this reason, he has no issues using WSB, but I don't want something that bare bones, no matter how well it works. Plus, I am more willing to spend money. As a physician, I see myself working another seven years (which I know is bordering on too long for the server -- I guess I am misguided by the fact my Dell Edge 2900 lasted that long).
Just to give my setup, I am setting up a Dell T430 server with Windows Server Standard 2016 as the host, with two VM guests. One will run my SQL databases and the other will contains Essentials for Active Directory and will be the DC. I have only eight clients all Lenovos running Win 7 Pro. They are all identical. Modem is Arris by Spectrum with 70 down and 6 up. pfSense router (awesome, but I am glad he set it up) and a Cisco 26 port switch. I know this is more info than you need. My old server (Dell Edge 2900) will temporarily be the fax server, but it can be converted to something else -- maybe a replication machine? I can also get Azure for the cloud much cheaper than AWS.
So, now to my question. And, these are frustrating I know, because it is more about opinion. I generally end up splitting the points as there is no right or wrong answer. But, I am trying to decide among BackupAssist, ShadowProtect and Veeam. I am not really interested in Macrium or Acronis. Of course, there are more, but it is these three. I used BA for 11 years, and it has always worked well. You can add Hyper-V Advanced to do some things with the VMs that you normally wouldn't be able to do. But, ShadowProtect and Veeam both seem as though they can do more. Plus, they seem to have more replication ability. I would like to have the ability to possibly do replication and replicate to the cloud. With Veeam, I looked at Enterprise vs Enterprise Plus. It would seem the latter may be more than I need. I can't tell the difference between Shadow Protect Server 5 and Shadow Protect for Small Business. If anyone knows what the annual support costs are, I couldn't find them.
I guess we can start here. Thanks.
Bert
I would say my technical level as far as servers is about a 5 to 6 out of 10. The IT person setting up the server would be a 12. He makes sure I have good quality hardware and software, but he also doesn't always recommend the most expensive. For this reason, he has no issues using WSB, but I don't want something that bare bones, no matter how well it works. Plus, I am more willing to spend money. As a physician, I see myself working another seven years (which I know is bordering on too long for the server -- I guess I am misguided by the fact my Dell Edge 2900 lasted that long).
Just to give my setup, I am setting up a Dell T430 server with Windows Server Standard 2016 as the host, with two VM guests. One will run my SQL databases and the other will contains Essentials for Active Directory and will be the DC. I have only eight clients all Lenovos running Win 7 Pro. They are all identical. Modem is Arris by Spectrum with 70 down and 6 up. pfSense router (awesome, but I am glad he set it up) and a Cisco 26 port switch. I know this is more info than you need. My old server (Dell Edge 2900) will temporarily be the fax server, but it can be converted to something else -- maybe a replication machine? I can also get Azure for the cloud much cheaper than AWS.
So, now to my question. And, these are frustrating I know, because it is more about opinion. I generally end up splitting the points as there is no right or wrong answer. But, I am trying to decide among BackupAssist, ShadowProtect and Veeam. I am not really interested in Macrium or Acronis. Of course, there are more, but it is these three. I used BA for 11 years, and it has always worked well. You can add Hyper-V Advanced to do some things with the VMs that you normally wouldn't be able to do. But, ShadowProtect and Veeam both seem as though they can do more. Plus, they seem to have more replication ability. I would like to have the ability to possibly do replication and replicate to the cloud. With Veeam, I looked at Enterprise vs Enterprise Plus. It would seem the latter may be more than I need. I can't tell the difference between Shadow Protect Server 5 and Shadow Protect for Small Business. If anyone knows what the annual support costs are, I couldn't find them.
I guess we can start here. Thanks.
Bert
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I will likely go with Veeam. I will just need to sort out the solution that works best for me. The small business one looks like it would make the most sense. I will probably have to talk directly to them and do a trial. I felt rather comfortable with backup strategies in the past, but VMs have made it harder to understand. Plus, the ransomeware threat.
Again, these are all helpful. So, very hard to pick best vs assisted.
Again, these are all helpful. So, very hard to pick best vs assisted.
ASKER