MS Backup and SyncToy 1

[seaport]

I am a programmer but put in charge of server administration from time to time. Now I am setting up procedures to backup the server. I am using both MS backup and SyncToy. I use SyncToy because it is very easy to get to the backed up files. Here are my questions:

1. Is it right to use SyncToy? I use it to backup all two drives (including C drive). I noticed that some errors occurred because files cannot be copied. I guess they are system files or files currently running. I am OK with that because I also use MS full backup and System state backup to backup those files.

2. I use MS backup to back up system state. But how frequent should I backup System State, every day, every week, or just backing up before changes are made to the server system?

Thanks in advance.

Seaport

 

[Zelandakh]

I don't use synctoy as I find ntbackup does what I need.

System state should be backed up when you make a change to the server.

 

[58sniper]

If it fits in the maintenance window, full backup every day in ntbackup.

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/

 

[Zelandakh]

I'd backup files (Excel etc) every day as Pat suggests.

Then C and system state each time you make a major OS change.

 

[seaport]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions.

Could you explain why SyncToy is not a good choice? I can see two limitations of SyncToy. First, it cannot backup system files/state; Second, it is very slow for the first-time sync.

So I can see SyncToy is good for backing up my Data Drive. It takes more time than an daily incremental backup, but less time than a daily full backup.

I can do a daily full backup of the data drive. As I understand, the reason to doing a full backup rather than an incremental backup is easier file restoration. Am I right?

Seaport

 

[Zelandakh]

I can't give reasons not to use a product that I don't use but I've used ntbackup successfully for...eek...a lot of years and I find it bullet proof.

Full isn't easier for restore really but it is less hassle. I've only ever been an advocate of full backups and used to do 7TB of full backup each and every week day because you get bitten once and you don't want to get bitten again...

 

[58sniper]

SyncToy is just that - a toy. It's more for users and syncing data for them. I wouldn't trust my environment (and thus, livelihood), to anything other than a backup product truly designed for backing up the resources in my environment.

Keep in mind that both Zelandakh and I are enterprise and business focused. YMMV.

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/

 

[seaport]

Hi,

Thanks for all your help.

Seaport

 

[Roadki11]

If its an AD server or "the only" AD server i would do system state everyday in addition to your weekly masters.

RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[seaport]

Hi,

By AD Server I guess you mean "Active Directory". The Office network is a simple workgroup, not a domain. So I think there is no need for daily system state backup.

Seaport

 

[Zelandakh]

Agreed.