What is the right way to take Computer FILE BACKUP? Please read below the details.?

Question

(1) In my office I maintain 30 computers all are in network.
(2) We have a Backup software using which we compress the files and take bkup (overwriting) and keep it in another machine (one among the 30 computers). This procedure we have been following for a long time. Due to this all the 30 computers’ hard disks are more or less full now.
(3) I tried taking the backup in DVD. First I will transfer the backup files to this system through network. Then I’ll try to write the backup files to a DVD. Most of the time the DVD gets corrupted. I checked the OS (Windows 98) and also the DVD software (Nero) for any possible errors and found they are OK. But since the system is in network and connected to Internet, multi tasking will go on. The system has “AMD AMD Athlon(TM) XP 2000+” processor and it has 128 MB RAM.
(4) Now my question is am I doing something wrong?
(5) Is the system configuration is low for DVD writing of files of bigger size?
(6) R there any simpler ways to take bkup?

Answer 1

The computers are certainly low-end for writing DVDs, especially if you can't stop them from being used for other processes during the burn.

DVD backups are generally unreliable, unless you burn, then fully verify the disk. (Some apps will report the burn went ok, then verify, but a copy of the files from the DVD back to the HDD will give CRC errors.

Without shelling out to update all the computers on the network, you might consider using an online backup service like http://www.backuptotheweb.com. They support Windows 98 clients and have very reasonable rates.

The backups would be scheduled, automatic and would not interrupt the user. Best of all, you'd have the off-site backup built in, depending on if you need HIPAA compliancy or just want to ensure that your data is always available.

Answer 2

With the info you gave (and it is a fair amount of info) I would make two suggestions.

First, update the PC doing the burning. If it is a Win98 era PC, it is probably not powerful enough to do DVD burning reliably. Even a low end modern desktop (Dell as they starting at $300) would be an improvement. Make sure it is running WinXP Pro (or Vista)

Second, do your burning with the PC "offline". Backup to the PC, and then take it off the network (so nothing is interfering with the burn) and create the DVD.

Other then that, your system sounds like it should work for a small workgroup situation like you have. One thing you did not mention, that you might want to consider. Make sure that every other backup CD you create is being stored somewhere outside of the office building itself. Should the building burn, be hit by a tornado, flood, etc., you do not want your only backup DVD to be destroyed with the building. If you are not doing that, I strongly recommend it.

Answer 3

I think using Acronis products would help you a lot in this case.

Check out the following excerpts from their site. Basically you would have a central server with their Management Console app, from which you would manage backup and restore activities. Then, each of your 30 workstations would have the Windows Agent component, which would allow them to be backed up remotely.

You could either copy the backup files to a USB hard drive (handy and portable, and you could have multiple drives to swap out and easily take offsite in case bad weather is coming, or some other case where you need to evacuate), or you could have the files be written to the server from which the Management Console runs, and have that machine be the one to burn them to DVD-R.

One note about your current system with the DVD writer, the CPU speed is fine but you need a LOT more memory to write DVDs without errors! Try a minimum of 512 MB, ideally 1 GB or more. You may also want to upgrade it to Windows XP.

I've used Acronis products before and so far have not had any bad experiences with them. I'd strongly suggest exploring these options:

"Acronis Management Console

The Acronis Management Console provides remote administration, ensuring that all systems in your network, regardless of your domain and workgroup structure, can be accessed and managed from one location.

How does the Acronis Management Console Work?

Step 1: Install the Acronis Management Console on any machine in your network.

It is important to note that the Management Console can be installed on as many machines as you need. For example, if you have three administrators responsible for managing your backups, you can install the Management Console on the three systems used by these administrators. Moreover, this component can be used to manage both servers and workstations running Acronis True Image.

Step 2: Open the Management Console and install the Acronis True Image Agents on remote systems in your network.

Step 3: Begin managing systems, scheduling backups, and recovering remote systems in your network."

(from http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/ATIESWin/management-console.html)

"Acronis True Image Windows Agent

The Acronis True Image Windows Agent is a component of Acronis True Image that allows you to remotely manage backup and restoration tasks on Windows systems in your network.

How does the Acronis True Image Windows Agent work?

Step 1: Open the Acronis True Image Management Console and select to install Acronis components to a remote computer

Step 2: Select the Acronis True Image Agent and the remote computer where you want to install the Agent

Step 3: Install the agent on the remote machine

Once the Agent is installed, you can manage backup and restoration of this system from the Acronis Management Console. The agent performs all of the tasks on the remote system."

(from http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/ATIESWin/windows-agent.html)

Answer 4

I also can recommend you to pay attention to Acronis products. I had a problem with backing up data from three computers to another one by network. With Acronis products the procedure of backing up is automatic and I don't need to spend time to perform backup tasks by myself. Here you can read about Acronis products: http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/ATICW/

Answer 5

The previous asserting is, which you continuously get what you pay for. i'm no longer a super fan of AVG. i think of that there are alot of agencies available that sell antivirus/undercover agent ware/firewalls that are incredibly low-value. i've got put in antivirus application that has discovered virus's that AVG hasn't discovered. in case you would be unable to spare the money, those are good. a minimum of you have something. in case you may spend slightly, i might check out Norton, McCaffee, or computer acquaintances.