FirBirGir

I have a client that would like for me to build a desktop machine for his office, that would serve as both his "office" computer, as well as a data back-up machine for his laptop.

The hardware, as I have planned it thus far, involves 3 HD's (capacity to be determined). One for the O/S and the other two in a RAID 1 "mirror" to store critical data from both his "system" HD as well as his laptop.

The client, while highly skilled in his profession, is virtually incompetant with regard to computers. He knows exactly how to use them to do his job, and not one thing more.

So, I need to provide for him an invisible and automatic data storage & back-up system that works with as little involvement from the client as possible. I have a week to research both the hardware and software, and to provide for him a proposal on the system, as well as a general idea of cost.

My first question is, What is the best way to interface the laptop with the desktop so as to do the data back-up. I'm reluctant to do a USB connection (due to poor data transfer speeds and my experiences with unreliable results using USB for data transfer) ?

I had the idea of simply setting up a direct ethernet connection, but have been discouraged from this idea by a friend who believes that this would be too involved for a person that is not "computer adept". This person advocates the use of a Hub (or switch) as being more "User Friendly". I've also thought of the firewire connection, but have never used it and do not know what it is or how it works.

Second, I am looking for recommendations for "automatic" software that will allow the User (client) to configure a back-up schedule and run automatically, preferably in the back ground, and as invisible as possible, while allowing the Client to continue working while the back-up is being performed.

This last point is critical, as the Client is constantly moving with his laptop, and only comes to the office for "pit stops". The data back-up can only be done while the client is trying to do other work. I intend to provide for him hardware that should be able to allow the multiple operations to run simultaneously, and I need software that will take advantage of the superior quality hardware I intend to install. (In case anyone is interested, the desktop will be built around the E8400 CPU, with particular attention paid to the RAM, PSU and Motherboard. Moderate overclocking is a possiblity.)

Any help appreciated and thanks in advance.

Deleted090308

Hi

Why not install OS and programs on the RAID 1 array?
That way the data will have a backup (mirror) automatically.

FirBirGir

I dunno. Guess I thought it would be best to isolate the back-up data from the operating system, so that if the O/S goes bad (malware, hardware failure, etc...) the back-ups will still be good.

Also, having the data mirrored will protect against HD failure, but I also would like to protect against deletion, over-writing etc...

The client has money, and the data is worth thousands, so the cost of running two RAID 1's is neglible in this circumstance.

Also, I'm running a Demo version of GenieSoft Genie Back-up Manager Pro 8.0, which I got off CNET as being the #1 rated software. Seems like a good software, but would like someone's opinion that has some real-life experience with a particular software.

What's the best way to back-up a laptop to a desktop system ?

FirBirGir

I'm still looking for help & advice on the best way to back-up data from a laptop to a desktop machine. I have less than a week to put together the solution & present it to the client.

Any help appreciated & thanks in advance.

FirBirGir

Still hoping to get some help, advice & ideas on the best data back-up software.