Backup Software

dhagloch · 11-09-2007, 02:05 PM

I run a small 20-30 user network and I am looking for a simple backup solution. I want to run a weekly automated backup after work hours of certain files on each station to a removable hard disk. I have tried several softwares that will back up selected files over the network, most recently NovaBACKUP. The problem is that when a computer is shut down or the user has undocked their laptop (Many users travel on a regular basis), the backup job won't load, quits or errors because it can't find the resource. Does anyone know of software that will skip missing resources if a computer is not present and complete the rest of the job?

johnwill · 11-09-2007, 03:24 PM

I'd consider having something running on each machine that does a scheduled backup to a network drive. If the files are small enough, you could simply have it run every time they boot and are connected to the network.

dhagloch · 11-12-2007, 10:12 AM

Thanks, johnwill. That could work. Some of the users have a lot of data, so I would have them stick to our current procedure which is to leave computers on after hours on the scheduled backup day. Could anyone suggest a cheap alternative to the backup utility that comes with XP? Something with data compression (I have limited storage space) and an option to shut down after completion would be ideal.

johnwill · 11-12-2007, 06:03 PM

Very slick and free, Cobian Backup. It has compression, saves generations of backups, does incremental, differential, and full backups.

dhagloch · 11-13-2007, 08:02 AM

I was actually just about to make a post about Cobian. I downloaded and test drove it yesterday, and it is exactly what I was looking for. Thank again, johnwill, youve been a ton of help.

johnwill · 11-13-2007, 08:22 AM

No problem, glad we were of some assistance.

FWIW, I've been using Cobian Backup for several years, it's always worked well for me. I especially like the fact that it will maintain generations and clean up the old copies.

alistairgill · 11-14-2007, 02:01 AM

TSF must be psychic :)

I was just about to make a post regarding backup issues I've been facing. I'll give Cobian a try.

Thanks!

johnwill · 11-14-2007, 11:15 AM

We are psychic, it's a gift!

11-09-2007, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
dhagloch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro SP2	Backup Software I run a small 20-30 user network and I am looking for a simple backup solution. I want to run a weekly automated backup after work hours of certain files on each station to a removable hard disk. I have tried several softwares that will back up selected files over the network, most recently NovaBACKUP. The problem is that when a computer is shut down or the user has undocked their laptop (Many users travel on a regular basis), the backup job won't load, quits or errors because it can't find the resource. Does anyone know of software that will skip missing resources if a computer is not present and complete the rest of the job?

11-09-2007, 03:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,608 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Backup Software I'd consider having something running on each machine that does a scheduled backup to a network drive. If the files are small enough, you could simply have it run every time they boot and are connected to the network. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-12-2007, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
dhagloch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: Backup Software Thanks, johnwill. That could work. Some of the users have a lot of data, so I would have them stick to our current procedure which is to leave computers on after hours on the scheduled backup day. Could anyone suggest a cheap alternative to the backup utility that comes with XP? Something with data compression (I have limited storage space) and an option to shut down after completion would be ideal.

11-12-2007, 06:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,608 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Backup Software Very slick and free, Cobian Backup. It has compression, saves generations of backups, does incremental, differential, and full backups. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-13-2007, 08:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
dhagloch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: Backup Software I was actually just about to make a post about Cobian. I downloaded and test drove it yesterday, and it is exactly what I was looking for. Thank again, johnwill, youve been a ton of help.

11-13-2007, 08:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,608 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Backup Software No problem, glad we were of some assistance. FWIW, I've been using Cobian Backup for several years, it's always worked well for me. I especially like the fact that it will maintain generations and clean up the old copies. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-14-2007, 02:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
alistairgill Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro	Re: Backup Software TSF must be psychic :) I was just about to make a post regarding backup issues I've been facing. I'll give Cobian a try. Thanks! __________________ ~wibble~

11-14-2007, 11:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,608 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Backup Software We are psychic, it's a gift! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience