NT Server 4 Backup Help

[arnold8]

Hi Guys...is there any utility (preferably a freeware) that can be used to backup the important files / databases (SAM), onto another HDD or onto another remote PC conneced in the LAN ? Could you also help in specifying what are the critical components that are needeed to be backed up. I do have any Backup Tape drive here and I don't want to loose my job if there is a system crash !

 

[merlinx]

I'm working on one programm that wiil suit your needs, if you can wait I'll send you a copy.

;-)

 

[JimInKS]

I'm not sure what your situation is, but the most important files to backup are your corporate data. Tape backup is not that expensive, at least compared to the expense of not having it.

If you are having trouble justifying a backup solution just visualize coming to work Monday morning and finding the server room gutted by fire and the server a glowing blob of pastic and steel. Then what do you do...

 

[djhawthorn]

I've used Second Copy (

http://www.secondcopy.com

I think), which works fine for this purpose, and is not very expensive... Not freeware unfortunantly. MCSE NT4/W2K

 

[arnold8]

thanx merlinx...really appreciate if you could send me a copy of that program. Also Jim...how do I backup my coporate data...if I do not have a Tape DAT device ? can I put this data on the hdd ???

 

[JimInKS]

I guess my point was you need to get a tape backup system. I don't know how large your server or network is but you can get a small tape backup unit and software for the price of a PC. I like the Sony 4mm DAT drives, the media is cheap. You can pick up a Sony SDT-9000 that will hold 24G for about $700. It is a SCSI device so if you don't already have a SCSI controller you would need that also. If you server is IDE I'm sure you can get an inexpensive IDE drive also. The catch is the cheaper the drive the more expensive the media (in general), at least at the low end.

Having a tiered backup stratagy (Like a standard 10 tape rotation) gives you a lot of protection for things like

"I had this huge spreadsheet that I have been keeping for several years and now it won't open! How can I fix it?" Just restore a previous copy from one of your backups.

Or, a virus wipes out a huge chunk of your data.

My intent is not to sound critical, since I don't really know your situation. But in my experience small business does a horrible job of doing backups. Without doing backups you may feel you are saving money right now but the cost of recreating all your data (if it is even possible) will be many times greater than the cost of doing backups.

Anyway, it looks like some others have suggestions for your specific question. Good luck finding a solution that works for you.