1

I have been researching on Spiceworks the different opensource options for backups.

My setup is currently like this:

I have about 10 computers that I run Syncback on. It copies the entire C:\ directory over to my file server at different times of the day (usually on the staff’s lunch breaks). It is set to do incremental copies.

Every night, the server will make a compressed copy of the drive that the staff backups are in and send it to a networked external harddrive. I have the networked external harddrive set up to save 2 weeks worth of backups (just in case)… So there is a backup week 1 and backup week 2. Then once a week, I will plug in a portable HD and create an offsite copy of what is on the drive (sometimes copying zipped folders that were backed up the week before).

I feel like I have made this more complicated than it should have been. It kind of started small, but then I have backups that are backed up 2-3 different times in different places. Which is OK I guess… My real problem is that when Fbackup compresses the files at night, it takes FOREVER. It usually takes around 4-6 hours and this is because it zips ALL files every night (even if they weren’t modified)… Which I feel like is wasting resources…

My other problem with this setup is, there is so much to keep an eye on! Between making sure the computers are backing up properly to making sure the batch files are running correctly to copy the files on the server over to the networked external harddrive. Needless to say, the current configuration works, but it is buggy.

I just need something to do backups. I plan to implement Clonezilla soon for our images solutions.

I have really been looking at Urbackup for backup solutions. But then there is Bacula… There are so many options, I am clueless at what to choose any try!!! Any suggestions?

5 Spice ups
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I usually dont backup user PCs as we dont encourage them to save anything (relates to work) on local PC. Saying that, your needs might be different. I use Cobian backup for some server stuff which is not bad and free. Community will have more answers for you. But…

If you change your mind and plan to buy a backup solution DO NOT buy Symantec BE.

FOG server for imaging. Rock solid.

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IMO:

Yes, this is too complicated.

Write your restore procedure in a manner that someone else can execute it without you to determine just HOW much too complicated it currently is.

All staff folders (my docs, any other attached shared network folders) should all be on a central server which is backed up. Then workstations can be imaged irregularly, at times of change.

Then, I recommend you look into a supported (supportable) Backup Solution ( such as Unitrends backup applicance or a full Symantec solution) for the servers.

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Most users don’t save too much on their computer. But I have had on more than one occasion where a staff member’s computer crashes and I am blamed if the information is not saved… Since I have implemented what I have, we have had staff’s computers go down and I give them a “loner” laptop and I copy and paste the documents they had in their backup to that laptop… So they still have “their files”… Even though I don’t think I should have to backup each staff’s computers, it has made my job easier in the long run… More and more, staff are using flash drives… Which is OK, but I am trying to stress to them to make a backup of their flashdrive to their work computer every now and then… If their flashdrive quits, they are out of luck…

Right now, my budget doesn’t allow for any purchases… So I need something completely free. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but just something to help get files backed up. I have been thinking about FOG for imaging as well as Clonezilla, but I need to get my backups implemented before I start on the imaging… Although I can’t wait! It will be so nice to have everything loaded and image my 60+ computers! If one of our computers needs re-installed, it is automatically a 1- 1 1/2 day process to get everything installed and up again…

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I would look into mapping user doc’s to home directories on a server.

Configure VSS for w/e you want your retention time to be. Then if a users computer goes down, as soon as they log into a “temp” machine or right after you reimage it; all of their docs will remap like nothing ever happened.

You could then use something like sync back to update a DR version of a backup on an external drive.

If your users are mobile, you can setup your file redirection to use offline cache. Then at this point whenever they are on your lan, their docs will resync and update the copy on the server that has VSS enabled.

1 Spice up
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Kyle - Are you looking only for an open source solution, or would you be interested in a proprietary solution as well?

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I have tried mapping folders before… But staff saves their documents in different places. Half save them on their desktop and half save them in their Documents folder… I have tried to train them to saving things in the documents folder but half of the people didn’t listen to me at all… So thats where I got the idea to just save the entire user’s folder (which includes documents, pictures, and desktop)…

8

That’s a hard fight to fight. You can map Desktops as well. The only problem with that is if a user logs onto another machine that does not have an application installed that they normally use, obviously their shortcut will not work.

The only other thing you could do is work with HR. Introduce a policy that simply says. “IT will backup My Documents with X retention time. Anything stored on the desktop or elsewhere will not be backed up by IT, nor will IT be responsible for”

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I don’t know… I might try mapping both the documents and desktop then… It would be no different than me copying and pasting from the backup that I have been doing…

It is a huge uphill battle to change anything where I work. I have been here a year and a half and there have been 4 people before me… And I have been here the longest… So staff has listened to the 4 before me and now it seems like they don’t trust my decisions at all just based on what the last 4 have done… Not all staff, but just a couple in the administration team (HR included). They don’t like change at all… But I do think I will write something up just as a CYA measure…

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Ok, so would I go about doing this like the link below:

http://headstrongfarm.hubpages.com/hub/Windows-7_-_Moving_My_Documents

I’ve never mapped the documents and desktop folders before … a little embarrassed to admit that. :slight_smile: About all I have done is create a mapped drive for the staff member…

11

You can try these two solutions:

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I was thinking about Bacula and Urbackup… Both look like good products… So I am needing to decide between those two or mapping the documents/desktop folder…

13

Or a proprietary that is built on open source :slight_smile:

2 Spice ups
14

If the clients are running Windows 7 or higher and you have AD, setup a group policy that maps documents, desktop, and favorites to a network share. That way if you give them a new computer, the only thing you need to do is make sure that the programs that they use are installed and all other data should be there. If anyone stores files in another folder than that on their computer (my wife was one of those) then they learn the hard way.

edit Here is a link that explains GPO for documents: http://www.howtogeek.com/99403/it-how-to-map-network-drives-on-windows-clients-via-group-policy/

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i.e. Folder Redirection :slight_smile: