SBS backups

[MobileTechie]

What are you guys recommending for users with small scale SBS (2003/2008) setups. I have clients with 5-30 users with varying backup schemes in place. None of them want to spend heaps of money on it and I find myself connstantly trialling and researching the best options out there.

Ideally I think I want image with bare metal restore, file level and Exchange and SQL backups that have some granular restore features if possible and that deals with it such a way so that log files don't become massive.

What are you guys recommending and installing?

 

[PBComputer]

I've being using Macrium http://www.macrium.com/business.aspx for all my business clients, it fast and i've not had a fault yet, and support has being good when i've done tests.

Paul

 

[MobileTechie]

All that seems to do, from briefly scanning the page, is image backups?

 

[rsarceno]

For cheap solution I recommend Symantec Backup Exec for Server for onsite backup. For online use Mozy Pro. It can handle SQL and Exchange.

I normally recommend better backup for SMB clients but it cost more. For online I like using Barracuda Online Backup. For onsite, I like ARCserve. With ARCserve you can do a disaster Recovery backup (image backup) then follow with full or partial backup.

 

[bluecoast]

SBS 2003 was a completely different animal in my opinion. The built-in backup was very dated. SBS 2008 and 11 have a vastly improved image based backup solution. It allows for bare metal restore, albeit with a few less options than the third party solutions. For smaller clients, a few external hard drives(one kept offsite) does a pretty good job, and lets clients restore files / previous versions on their own without calling us up.

 

[PBComputer]

All that seems to do, from briefly scanning the page, is image backups?

Yes it is, and I can restore a file in just a few clicks,

 

[seedubya]

SBS 2003 was a completely different animal in my opinion. The built-in backup was very dated. SBS 2008 and 11 have a vastly improved image based backup solution. It allows for bare metal restore, albeit with a few less options than the third party solutions. For smaller clients, a few external hard drives(one kept offsite) does a pretty good job, and lets clients restore files / previous versions on their own without calling us up.

This is what I do for most clients but with the addition of Backup Assist which makes the built in backup on 2008+ so much more useable.

2003- meh - Backup Exec.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

The built in backup with SBS for clients that just want local backup. Back in the SBS03 days we used the removable SATA drive based Dell RD1000/HP RDX/Tandberg units.

For offsite backup, entry level is Intronis, and for higher end clients that want fast disaster recovery...DattoBackup.

We're all about image backups now...it's that...or nothing.

 

[MobileTechie]

The built in backup with SBS for clients that just want local backup. Back in the SBS03 days we used the removable SATA drive based Dell RD1000/HP RDX/Tandberg units.

For offsite backup, entry level is Intronis, and for higher end clients that want fast disaster recovery...DattoBackup.

We're all about image backups now...it's that...or nothing.

Do you not miss flexibility of specific Exchange and SQL backups?