ntbackup replacement for Server 2008 ?

Gomjaba · 06-03-2009, 02:36 PM

Does anyone know a good replacement for ntbackup on Server 2008 ?

We are looking basically for

> VSS support
> Ability to backup to network share
> File-level backups

And the whole lot for a-moon-on-a-stick .. cheap ish

dynamik · 06-03-2009, 02:41 PM

You'd probably be looking at something like Symantec BEWS. Not sure about anything that falls on the "cheapish" side of things though...

Gomjaba · 06-03-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamik

You'd probably be looking at something like Symantec BEWS. Not sure about anything that falls on the "cheapish" side of things though...

I mean not a program which costs like hundreds / server

Claymoore · 06-03-2009, 03:14 PM

How about the built-in Windows Backup in 2008?
Windows Server Backup Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server 2008

It supports VSS, the ability to backup to network shares (except for system state), and file-level backups. Tape drives aren't supported, and you can only backup Exchange 2007 if it is SP2, but other than that I'm not sure why it wouldn't work for you.

Gomjaba · 06-04-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claymoore

How about the built-in Windows Backup in 2008?
Windows Server Backup Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server 2008

It supports VSS, the ability to backup to network shares (except for system state), and file-level backups. Tape drives aren't supported, and you can only backup Exchange 2007 if it is SP2, but other than that I'm not sure why it wouldn't work for you.

Mmm... I don't remember WHY we didn't want to use it .. I guess I'll give it another try ..

Gomjaba · 06-04-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claymoore

How about the built-in Windows Backup in 2008?
Windows Server Backup Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server 2008

It supports VSS, the ability to backup to network shares (except for system state), and file-level backups. Tape drives aren't supported, and you can only backup Exchange 2007 if it is SP2, but other than that I'm not sure why it wouldn't work for you.

Actually, I do remember now because it DOES NOT support Filebased backups (unless I am being stupid here).

The site clearly states

Quote:

Folders or files
Back up just individual folders or files if you only want to be able to recover those items.

However, it doesn't .. every schedule setup with Windows Backup does a full image backup. The only way I see is using Robocopy which is clearly rubbish as a decent backup solution .. Unless I really miss something silly here ..

Gomjaba · 06-04-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

applies to: Windows server 2008 r2

aaaaahhhhhhh ....

Claymoore · 01:34 PM

Now it makes sense. All the backup options are volume based rather than file + folder unless you have R2.

I'm not real happy with windows backup either, having learned the hard way that system state can't be backed up to a network share - fortunately I had some extra drives lying around from some servers we virtualized. I never intend to use windows backup as a primary backup methodology, but it's nice to have in a pinch to help prevent RGEs when troubleshooting other problems. Thankfully MS has returned the ability to backup Exchange 2007 on server 2008.

I have been mostly happy with the Exchange integration in the new HP Data Protector 6.1, but HP DP is probably overkill for you. Perhaps something light like BackupAssist might do the trick. They have a free trial and maybe someone else here has some experiences they are willing to share