Backup Solution for Client's 7 Workstations

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allanc

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Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A new client has 7 Vista workstations with no backup.
There is also no server.
We are looking for a solution that includes:
- Image backup including differential capability and verify of written data
- About 40 to 70 Gb each workstation (not compressed)
- Ability to restore the image or folders/files
- Bare metals restore would be a good feature
- NAS Backup

I have used Acronis True Image Home in past on single computers but not sure about their other products.

All suggestions as to which software and hardware to purchase (and why) are appreciated.
 
Sbs2011 essentials if the workstations are the pro or ultimate versions otherwise whs2011.
They include workstation backups to the server.
 
Allan -

It's my understanding the Shadowprotect Desktop does indeed support differential backup.

Should work well with the NAS.

Another option to look at is Macrium Reflect.
 
There seems to have been more howling about Acronis as of late and I really haven't had any experience with their server products. It just seems they push stuff out the door a bit quickly. A new version just came out, so I'd wait on that one anyway. I'm with you on the TI Home, but usually use it from the CD.

That being said, it seems they all have their foibles, especially with new releases. AFAIK, all of the ones mentioned here had problems restoring from USB 3.0 drives in when booting into their recovery environments (boot discs). Not an issue with NAS, of course.

WRT bare metal, all 3 offer this option. You'll want to give it a try and see if it breaks the activation on any of your licensed apps (Adobe, etc).
 
allanc said:
It does not appear to support differential backup and I am not a big fan of incremental.
Click to expand...

That link that I provided above....
this one here===> http://www.storagecraft.com/shadow_protect_desktop.php

Here is a copy and paste from the "Features" section right on that page
"Fast and reliable disk-based backup that captures full, differential and incremental point-in-time backup images of your entire system. This includes the operating system, applications, configuration settings and data. Schedule full and incremental backups for automatic protection of everything on your Windows server."

I'm not a fan of differential nor incremental...I'm a firm believer in full backups each night. Part of what speedy disk imaging and convert to virtual machines backup programs are about. But if you like some of those old school complicated tape backup methods...it can still do those for ya.
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
That link that I provided above....
this one here===> http://www.storagecraft.com/shadow_protect_desktop.php

Here is a copy and paste from the "Features" section right on that page
"Fast and reliable disk-based backup that captures full, differential and incremental point-in-time backup images of your entire system. This includes the operating system, applications, configuration settings and data. Schedule full and incremental backups for automatic protection of everything on your Windows server."

I'm not a fan of differential nor incremental...I'm a firm believer in full backups each night. Part of what speedy disk imaging and convert to virtual machines backup programs are about. But if you like some of those old school complicated tape backup methods...it can still do those for ya.
Click to expand...
Thank you (re differential) ... must have missed that or clicked on another page.
 
Last edited:
YeOldeStonecat said:
That link that I provided above....
this one here===> http://www.storagecraft.com/shadow_protect_desktop.php

Here is a copy and paste from the "Features" section right on that page
"Fast and reliable disk-based backup that captures full, differential and incremental point-in-time backup images of your entire system. This includes the operating system, applications, configuration settings and data. Schedule full and incremental backups for automatic protection of everything on your Windows server."

I'm not a fan of differential nor incremental...I'm a firm believer in full backups each night. Part of what speedy disk imaging and convert to virtual machines backup programs are about. But if you like some of those old school complicated tape backup methods...it can still do those for ya.
Click to expand...
Just read your paste and taking it 'literally'... The last 2 words are 'Windows Server'.
If you d/l the datasheet for the desktop version, full and incremental are listed but not differential.
 
Vicenarian said:
http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=610

Running Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 IIRC, and includes backup capability for I think 20 workstations?
Click to expand...
Looks very interesting.
Can it be used and be fully functional without a domain controller (there are no other 'servers' on this network)?

Also, is there any way to force a 'full backup' after the initial?
As I mentioned in this thread ... I worry about incremental backups.
 
Last edited:
Why are you so worried about incrementals?

I've got clients using ShadowProtect and the continous incrementals backup and never had an issue.
I like to restart the backup chain at least once a year so it doesn't grow too big but I've had some clients that had a backup chain that started over two years ago and recovery is still no issue.
As long as you use the ImageManager software along with ShadowProtect (Imagemanager looks after the incrementals and verifies the backup files regularly as well) you should have no problems.
 
cyabro said:
Why are you so worried about incrementals?

I've got clients using ShadowProtect and the continous incrementals backup and never had an issue.
I like to restart the backup chain at least once a year so it doesn't grow too big but I've had some clients that had a backup chain that started over two years ago and recovery is still no issue.
As long as you use the ImageManager software along with ShadowProtect (Imagemanager looks after the incrementals and verifies the backup files regularly as well) you should have no problems.
Click to expand...
Which NAS would you recommend?
 
"Why are you so worried about incrementals?"

I must confess a prejudice against incrementals, as one bad one can screw up the chain. If a differential goes bad, you can always choose another one.
 
allanc said:
Just read your paste and taking it 'literally'... The last 2 words are 'Windows Server'.
If you d/l the datasheet for the desktop version, full and incremental are listed but not differential.
Click to expand...

I'm out of my office all day...saw your reply...as I don't use incre's or differentials on my clients backups I had a doubt after you made your reply...so I e-mailed the eastern US sales rep of StorageCraft (she's my rep)...and she confirmed....here's a quote from her reply..

"when you are going through setting up a backup job, on the OPTIONS tab, you will see an ADVANCED button. If you click on that, under the BACKUP tab check the box for “Second and Subsequent Full Backups are Differentials.”

Next time I'm at my office I can post a screenie for you..as it's on my workstation at the office. Or...you can just download the trial and give it a go. Quite an impressive product....I love restores from StorageCraft.

If you would like her contact info...send me a PM. She's responsive...as is the regional tech she works with.

For small NAS units, I like Synology.
 
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