Backing up data in a workgroup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wabz
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Wabz

I am working on a small network where computers are in a workgroup as
opposed to a domain. What is the most effecient way to perform backups
of all data on all computers short of walking around backing up each
one of them?

Is there a utility that can back up all machines in a workgroup in one
fell swoop?

Many thanks
 
Wabz said:
I am working on a small network where computers are in a workgroup as
opposed to a domain. What is the most effecient way to perform backups
of all data on all computers short of walking around backing up each
one of them?

Is there a utility that can back up all machines in a workgroup in one
fell swoop?
Click to expand...

It really depends on how much data you have, how many workstations are
involved, and your budget. So without knowing the answers to that, here are
some general suggestions:

1. Buy either a USB external hard drive (500GB or even 1TB are not very
expensive now) or an NAS (Network Appliance Storage device). Connect the
USB external drive to one of the workstations; the NAS goes directly on the
network. The backup software that comes with these drives usually isn't
very good. I like Second Copy from www.centered.com ($29.95). You're only
going to buy one copy and install it on the one machine that has the
external drive connected. If you use a NAS, pick a workstation to host SC.
Create SC profiles to back up each user's Desktop, My Documents, Favorites,
and I usually include the Firefox user profile. Leave the workstations on
at night and have Second Copy back up after hours. This assumes you've set
up network file sharing, of course.

This method has the advantage of consolidating all the data into one
location. I usually make various folders for the users' data inside one
directory on the external drive cleverly called "Back Up". This way when
you or your minions go to burn the backed up data to DVDs (which you should
also do regularly and take them off-site), everything will be in one place.

2. If you have 10 or more workstations you should have a server and all data
should be stored on the server, not on the workstations. You don't have to
use Active Directory but it is advisable. You still need to back up that
data with SC and burn DVDs.

3. If you only have a few workstations but a lot of data, consider using one
of the online backup services. One of my clients only has a few machines
but since they are an advertising agency the size of their data is huge. I
have SC back up to a large external drive daily but it would take them
forever to burn DVDs. They are using Mozy Professional (not Enterprise) for
off-site backup and are very happy with it.

Malke
 
Wabz said:
I am working on a small network where computers are in a workgroup as
opposed to a domain. What is the most effecient way to perform backups
of all data on all computers short of walking around backing up each
one of them?

Is there a utility that can back up all machines in a workgroup in one
fell swoop?

Many thanks
Click to expand...

One method is to use XCopy to copy the relevant directories from each
computer. You can set up a batch file with the necessary commands and
use Windows Scheduler to start it at the same time each day. You can
either back up all the data to one computer that is backed up to another
media after the backups finish or you can use an external drive for the
source of all the backups. Either way you need to occasionally check
the backups to make sure there are no problems.
 
I am working on a small network where computers are in a workgroup as
opposed to a domain. What is the most effecient way to perform backups
of all data on all computers short of walking around backing up each
one of them?

Is there a utility that can back up all machines in a workgroup in one
fell swoop?

Many thanks
Click to expand...

Microsoft's "Windows Home Server" does automatic, daily backups of up
to 10 computers in a workgroup:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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