Backup of .pst files to central location

[amanua]

The network consits of just 12 users and have outsourced the mail server to an ISP and outlook 2003 is configured on each workstation using pop3.
Since the .pst files are local to the workstations and to be able to restore these files incase the workstation crash is there any way to get these files to a central location that can be backup to the backup server.

 

[58sniper]

PST files on anything other than the local workstation is not only not supported, but strenuously recommended against by Microsoft. And for many reasons. But then again, PST files are evil and should be abolished. But that's my .02.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[robmazco]

Really only way is to physically copy the pst files up to network. If your network is backed up regularly then they will be too.
Maybe have them copy it up once a month.

DO NOT under any circumstances or for ANY reason attempt to move them and access them from the network, it will fail and ruin the pst sooner or later.

 

[JamesONeill]

We use Symantec's Backup Exec Desktop/Laptop Option which is very smart in how it backs up PST files. Instead of attempting to backup the entire file, it will recognise when an new item is added to the PST file and only copies that single change to the central store.

This is also very useful if you have users who ignore the recommendation of not saving anything to their desktops. To work around this, the DLO can be configured to scan any location on a local PC for changes to send back to the central back up location to be included on our daily backups.

James O'Neill BSc (Hons) MBCS