You could do something like DFS to keep things synced between two servers which could act as your backup. Depending on the amount of data to be backed up, I'd implement shadow copy and use an online service like Carbonite (very cheap $55 a year). But without knowing what kind and how much data, what your network topology is like, and what financial resources are at your disposal, it's hard to determine what the best methodology would be.
Virtual Storage location made up of two physical locations
Hi all,
I am looking for a solution which would allow me to backup data in a folder. Everything is flat files which get updated on a regular basis, my ideal solution would involve some sort of software raid, so writing files to two locations at the same time, perhaps a virtual directory?
I am using Windows 2003 and would like some sort of free solution if possible. I have looked into the option of online storage, some sort of dropbox setup but my network probably wouldnt allow internet access. I can however potentially have a offsite network share so writing files to this mapped drive could be an option as well.
Any ideas or suggestions would be fantastic!
-c
I am looking for a solution which would allow me to backup data in a folder. Everything is flat files which get updated on a regular basis, my ideal solution would involve some sort of software raid, so writing files to two locations at the same time, perhaps a virtual directory?
I am using Windows 2003 and would like some sort of free solution if possible. I have looked into the option of online storage, some sort of dropbox setup but my network probably wouldnt allow internet access. I can however potentially have a offsite network share so writing files to this mapped drive could be an option as well.
Any ideas or suggestions would be fantastic!
-c
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Hi djaburg,
My Setup is a windows 2003 server standard edition with local user access, the setup has an access control software which collects data, the data will progressively get greater reaching a maximum of about 100meg so we are not talking about vast amounts of data which would need to be backed up.
In terms of network, I have a Cisco router which establishes a VPN connection back to my data centre, so having a storage location in a remote location should be achievable.
At present the users copy and paste a folder within the software to a USB drive which is ok for now but I am looking at a way of automating the backups.
The initial search was for some sort of software which could maybe mirror the data onto an external storage device in a real time environment, ideally being free. I have tested external USB Drives for example the Maxtor One Touch range which take out the need to plug in a USB drive and open up explorer, the one touch button allows me to backup what folder I need but really an automated setup, I was thinking of some sort of software raid setup.
My networking knowledge is at a basic level so I am not sure whether a free solution is possible.
With DFS am I right in thinking that AD is required?
My Setup is a windows 2003 server standard edition with local user access, the setup has an access control software which collects data, the data will progressively get greater reaching a maximum of about 100meg so we are not talking about vast amounts of data which would need to be backed up.
In terms of network, I have a Cisco router which establishes a VPN connection back to my data centre, so having a storage location in a remote location should be achievable.
At present the users copy and paste a folder within the software to a USB drive which is ok for now but I am looking at a way of automating the backups.
The initial search was for some sort of software which could maybe mirror the data onto an external storage device in a real time environment, ideally being free. I have tested external USB Drives for example the Maxtor One Touch range which take out the need to plug in a USB drive and open up explorer, the one touch button allows me to backup what folder I need but really an automated setup, I was thinking of some sort of software raid setup.
My networking knowledge is at a basic level so I am not sure whether a free solution is possible.
With DFS am I right in thinking that AD is required?
If you have the Server 2003 Resource kit installed, you can use Robocopy.
It can be run as a Scheduled Task, or can be set to Monitor the source folder, and run again after X changes, or after X minutes if there have been changes.
You can also use Xcopy in a batch file as a Scheduled Task.
It can be run as a Scheduled Task, or can be set to Monitor the source folder, and run again after X changes, or after X minutes if there have been changes.
You can also use Xcopy in a batch file as a Scheduled Task.
hi TheOutcaste,
thanks for the reply. I can see how Robocopy would work, after going a quick google search i can see there is a GUI version:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2006.11.utilityspotlight.aspx
If i want to copy to two locations at the same time i could run this in two seperate instances.
Question: Why is the Server 2003 Resource kit needed?
thanks for the reply. I can see how Robocopy would work, after going a quick google search i can see there is a GUI version:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2006.11.utilityspotlight.aspx
If i want to copy to two locations at the same time i could run this in two seperate instances.
Question: Why is the Server 2003 Resource kit needed?
Totally forgot about the GUI version, that includes the same version of Robocopy as the Resource kit does, just adds a GUI front end to it.hi TheOutcaste,
thanks for the reply. I can see how Robocopy would work, after going a quick google search i can see there is a GUI version:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2006.11.utilityspotlight.aspx
If i want to copy to two locations at the same time i could run this in two seperate instances.
Question: Why is the Server 2003 Resource kit needed?
Only reason to get the Resource kit is to get Robocopy, as it's not included with Server 2003. The utility spotlight download is all that's needed, though the Resource kit does have quite a few other useful tools.
ok ill give the GUI a go and post up the results 
after playing around with this i decided to go withe command based Robocopy. With the use of simple .bat files it works a treat.
Thanks guys, much appreciated :smooch:
Thanks guys, much appreciated :smooch:
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