Best backup/clone solution

Lellis2k · 06-18-2007, 07:03 AM

Hey guys,

I have a windows small business server 2003, it hosts almost a terra of data, microsoft sql server 2005 and some other 3rd party license server software.

I also have another identical server which I want to be exactly the same as the main server so that if the main one goes down I change the i.p. and name of the backup server and everyone starts using that one within minutes.

1. Should I build the second server from scratch, installing everything seperately, or should I just clone the hard drive of the main server and put one in the backup?

2. What software can I use to copy any changed files over to the backup sever, either constantly or overnight. I don't mind paying up to around £500.

(It would be good if the software could also handle backing up to several external teradrives for my offsite backups.)

Thanks, Leigh

edit: This looks ideal: Symantec Backup Exec 11d for Windows Small Business Server Premium

crazijoe · 06-18-2007, 08:22 AM

If you want a disaster recovery senario, you must look at all options to prevent such an occurance from happening.
In general, the server should implement a RAID strategy for redundancy. Keep your OS and apps on a mirrored array and all data on a RAID 5 array.

Be sure to have an offsite back up strategy. Beit tape or offsite WAN backup.

Offload member server tasks into another server, such as a separate SQL server. Let the Domain controller be just that, a domain controller. This way you've elliminated a single point of failure.

Note that most backup software (Backup Exec in particular) requires separate licences for different servers. I.E. server, SQL, etc..

With a 1TB of info, make sure your equipment and/or LAN can is up to snuff for large data backups. Backing up a large amount will take time. Full backups everynite is the best, but when dealing with the amount data you are talking about, it may not work because of time constraints. If you use incremental backups, make sure you have a rock solid plan and make sure the backups are good.

External HDDs do not exactly equate to speed. To me, external HDDs are still immature and are considered fragile to tapes. And if people think tapes are slow, they haven't been keeping up on tape technology. At the present our company is backing up 400GB in about 4 hrs on an LTO3 drive. There are drives out there that surpass this.

Chevy · 06-21-2007, 12:48 AM

Some issues I see:

1 - SBS server .. no trusts, no multi-server AD. You may want to plan on a 4 server setup: DC, SQL, Files and Backup, Third-Party apps

2 - Joe's got it right on the tape issue. They are still superior. With your amount of data, look for a quality autoloader. They cost, but are more than worth it (go for a two-drive setup).

06-18-2007, 07:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lellis2k Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 OS: xp + vista	Best backup/clone solution Hey guys, I have a windows small business server 2003, it hosts almost a terra of data, microsoft sql server 2005 and some other 3rd party license server software. I also have another identical server which I want to be exactly the same as the main server so that if the main one goes down I change the i.p. and name of the backup server and everyone starts using that one within minutes. 1. Should I build the second server from scratch, installing everything seperately, or should I just clone the hard drive of the main server and put one in the backup? 2. What software can I use to copy any changed files over to the backup sever, either constantly or overnight. I don't mind paying up to around £500. (It would be good if the software could also handle backing up to several external teradrives for my offsite backups.) Thanks, Leigh edit: This looks ideal: Symantec Backup Exec 11d for Windows Small Business Server Premium Last edited by Lellis2k; 06-18-2007 at 07:22 AM.

06-18-2007, 08:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	Re: Best backup/clone solution If you want a disaster recovery senario, you must look at all options to prevent such an occurance from happening. In general, the server should implement a RAID strategy for redundancy. Keep your OS and apps on a mirrored array and all data on a RAID 5 array. Be sure to have an offsite back up strategy. Beit tape or offsite WAN backup. Offload member server tasks into another server, such as a separate SQL server. Let the Domain controller be just that, a domain controller. This way you've elliminated a single point of failure. Note that most backup software (Backup Exec in particular) requires separate licences for different servers. I.E. server, SQL, etc.. With a 1TB of info, make sure your equipment and/or LAN can is up to snuff for large data backups. Backing up a large amount will take time. Full backups everynite is the best, but when dealing with the amount data you are talking about, it may not work because of time constraints. If you use incremental backups, make sure you have a rock solid plan and make sure the backups are good. External HDDs do not exactly equate to speed. To me, external HDDs are still immature and are considered fragile to tapes. And if people think tapes are slow, they haven't been keeping up on tape technology. At the present our company is backing up 400GB in about 4 hrs on an LTO3 drive. There are drives out there that surpass this. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

06-21-2007, 12:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chevy Retired Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,452 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Best backup/clone solution Some issues I see: 1 - SBS server .. no trusts, no multi-server AD. You may want to plan on a 4 server setup: DC, SQL, Files and Backup, Third-Party apps 2 - Joe's got it right on the tape issue. They are still superior. With your amount of data, look for a quality autoloader. They cost, but are more than worth it (go for a two-drive setup).