[dba-Tech] Once and for all time: server backups

Jim Lawrence accessd at shaw.ca
Sat Jan 30 10:37:06 CST 2010


It is very interesting listening to your remote and backup solutions.

I use Hamachi, in conjunction with Windows server admin terminal and remote
product (Remote Desktop), on all my clients. Regardless of how their DNS
changes through their own system or ISP or web site issues (The clients or
myself have a few web sites or parts of sites supported off the local
servers) there is always a way in... I have never ran across a more reliable
connection method.

There is also LogMeIn Pro which provides all those connection features
required. A few local support companies use this product with all their
clients. There is also a LogMeIn Backup/Sync application which integrates
with their remote product. The prices for a single user are $70 and $40 CAN,
a year, respectively. LogMeIn is the owner of Hamachi (bought Hamachi out a
few years ago) and therefore uses Hamachi's VPN, security and dedicated
addresses.

I was trying to use Microsoft's OneCare backup system. Unfortunately, it is
as 'dumb as a box of rocks' went it comes to reconnecting to a remote
server. As soon as the remote station or server has to be rebooted OnCare
can no longer connect again... you could enter the login credentials, as
presented, as many times as you want, no joy. Even with the remote server
clearly connected via file explorer... exasperating to say the least. The
product is not a total right-off as by going in the products options and
resetting backup path, it will then allow it to reconnect. OneCare could be
a good product if this issue was resolved as it is only 40 for 3 stations.

That is my take on the current status on small integrated remote and backup
systems. 

Jim

 

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Mark Breen
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 4:38 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Once and for all time: server backups

Hello Gustav,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this up and let us all
know.

Gbridge looks great, I currently have Hamachi installed in quite a few
machines now, but I will keep Gbridge in mind for my next remote link, if
for no other reason, than to try out another tool / set of tools.

Thanks also for the intro to second copy.

I have to install two 1 TB USB disks this week as alternating off site
backups.  As the data is sensitive, I am in the process of creating 1 TG
encrypted volumes - it takes 16 hours each.

I then have to figure out the best / simplest way to mirror one folder on
the customers Win2K3 server machine.

Options are

DeltaCopy
SyncToy
SecondCopy
GBridge (maybe but I do not need the remote facilities)
MS Windows Backup

No MS Exchange and no MS SQL Serer

The data I am backing up is approx 20 GB, so I have the storage options or
preparing - like the olden days with tapes - a daily, Friday 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
 and Monthly and Annual backup sets.  This would give step back
possibilities.

It is low budget - I want to complete 100% the task in one day including
showing the customer how it all works and that it is easy to understand and
use.

Any thoughts anyone?

thanks

Mark




On 29 January 2010 16:54, Gustav Brock <Gustav at cactus.dk> wrote:

> Hi all
>
> Sadly, we had to give up on DeltaCopy and rsync. This is just not a
> combo for Windows machines with a WAN in between - to many protocol sync
> errors, troubles with security settings on folders, and an installation
> and configuration task that takes a top notch techie _days_ for tweaking
> and testing. It just doesn't pay off.
>
> HOWever, we found a small gem, Gbridge:
>
>  http://www.gbridge.com/
>
> This is a unique combo of VPN connection with authentication via your
> Google account, a backup program, a folder sync, a secure web interface
> to your file store, remote control (with a little help from VNC), and
> extensive logging - at zero cost. The only feature missing is some
> method to e-mail a summarized report of the happenings.
>
> You can connect any count of machines both from your intranet and
> remote invited machines, you could even build an extranet with this tiny
> tool.
>
> This we use for backing up to a remote location (my home).
> In addition we backup to a local machine using Second Copy:
>
>  http://www.centered.com/
>
> This is not free but cheap and features archiving of previous versions
> of files when updated at the main server.
> Finally the main server is backed via MySecureBackup to "the cloud" at
> Amazon.
> Everything is run an controlled from a dedicated backup station
> (actually an old laptop with an external drive).
>
> So now we have a setup for backing up the main file server:
>
> 1. Server to local backup station via Second Copy
> 2. Backup station to remote location via Gbridge
> 3. Server to the cloud via MySecureBackup
>
> This forms a 2½ way backup setup (2. will fail if 1. fails) which is
> satisfactory as a 2 way system is minimum in case one system should
> fail.
> If you change the main server (NetWare at the moment) to a Windows
> Server, Gbridge could run on that and you had a 3 way setup.
> Of course, the backup station represents a single point of possible
> failure but for operation only, not for storage. If that is a concern,
> the operations of this machine could be split onto two machines or even
> three.
> Further, with a Windows Server you could activate its default shadow
> copying backup for a fourth backup system suited for a system recovery
> where the above backup setup is for file backup only.
>
> /gustav
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