What would you recommend for backup (hw/sw)

[mspain]

Hi all,

I am in charge of a network with 4 Windows servers. 1 acts as a file server, 1 is an Exchange server, 1 hosts our antivirus solution, and the other is used for a database application we use.

I currently have an Exabyte tape loader that uses 80gb/tape to backup at night but this is just not cutting it anymore. It is slow and the software I have is unreliable.

I probably have around 150GB of data I am looking at backing up. I also have to take into consideration electronic discovery laws so being able to easily retrieve individual e-mails would be nice.

I am really not too familiar with backup technology. What hardware and software combination would you all recommend for the needs I have described. Unfortunately for us, we also don't have a whole lot of money to spend.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LeeMason]

Have a look at dumping the tape backup and going for online disk-to-disk backup. If you have 150GB abut also want to keep backups for some time (as well as taking Exchange mailbox level backups) you will probably need a target server with 250GB-500GB of storage. That's not really that much these days. If you want an offsite copy for DR you might want to have a look at offsite replication of your data. This can be done to a second office (if you have one) or to an Internet backup service provider.

Have a look at something like the Thecus 1U4500 as a backup server. You get free backup software with it. This can then use NSYNC to sync the backup to another similar device offsite. Even better would be to install some modular backup software on that device such as Ahsay OBS. This will also include the possibility of using Exchange mailbox level backup and there are many Internet backup service providers who can run an RPS (Replication Service) for this system.


Lee Mason
Optimal Projects Ltd

http://www.opl.co.uk

http://www.backupsanywhere.com

 

[mofusjtf]

I agree with Lee, swith to a disk based backup. You can explore CRU Data Port products which are hot swap hard drives. Or something from Cybernetics.

As for software, I'd look into imaging software. Storagecraft is a good one. Of course there are a bunch oc other too.

 

[Hokie97VT]

What do you think of Sonicwall CDP and Baremetal for backup? We are a slightly larger company than described by mspain and are in the healthcare field.

 

[LeeMason]

Haven't really seen the Sonicwall product. Obviously they are diversifying from security appliances into backup. The product that I mentioned previously does support baremetal backup/restore (as an add-on module) as well as CDP.


Lee Mason
Optimal Projects Ltd

http://www.opl.co.uk

http://www.backupsanywhere.com