Backup multiple computers - easiest way?

[Upgr8er]

Hi All.

I did a search and found a good archived post that I wanted to resurrect but you can't reply to archived posts.

I need to backup at least 3 systems. They're all on my home network. I once bought a Maxtor One Touch system but they failed to tell me that "One Touch" also meant only "one computer" so back it went.

So I was thinking a 500gb "make my own external" would be a good start but what software would give me the ability to walk up to each machine, plug it in and "go?" When it was done I would hope to have an image file that would be just as easy to shift into reverse. Perhaps I could do this on the network? I'd be okay with that.

I've read a little about NAS systems and file servers but what I read didn't talk much about what type of backup I was getting. I have lots of installed software on each machine and would like to just be able and zap it all back in one shot. So I definitely prefer to restore from an image so it would be back as it was before the HD failure.

I have Drive Image 7 and have made images before but only on my "main" machine. But now the only place the image fits is on the same drive as that "main" machine . . . not a great backup solution.

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas?

Thanks!

 

[RebateMonger]

Windows Home Server is a painless way to automatically make backups of every system on your home network. (Note, though, that only XP and Vista 32-bit are supported for automatic backups at this time).

 

[Upgr8er]

Thanks. That does look good but generates a few questions, if you don't mind:

To use that do I have to set up a separate machine as a "server" first or could I just install the software (on some or all computers?) and direct the backup to a simple external or networked drive?

Could you describe the general steps I would take if one of the drives took a dump and was replaced with a new one? Would I have to do a fresh Windows XP install on the new drive first?

Thanks again!

 

[JackMDS]

For backup purpose a Network Storage (NAS), and a Server do the same thing.

Unfortunately, the inexpensive NAS' are slow and problematic.

To set good NAS you have to spend over $500.

Therefore, for over $500 you can buy (or build) a server like Windows Home server.

The initial setting of a server takes a little more time than a simple NAS, but once set you have a File backup server and much more.

As an Example WHS.

Store files, and does auto backup.
Can be used to stream Audio and video.
Does not need any expensive RAID concoction.
If you have few Drives, (any kind any size can be mixed) it automatically make them appear as one drive called WHS.
Does auto mirroring and back up too.
Ready for HTTP and ftp servers has also self-signed certificate for SSL connection when needed. SSL is done through HTTPS and any Browser can use the connection secure No need for any additional security settings.
Provides Dynamic DNS "you_name.homeserver.com" that is registered free by Microsoft when you set up the server.
I.e. No need for Hamachi, Go to my PC, LogMeIn, DyDNS, or any other services that do you a favor, and can shift from free to pay, or partial pay when they want to.
Windows Home Server 120 days trial can be obtained from Microsoft for $5.99 shipping.
http://www.microsoft.com/windo...wshomeserver/eval.mspx

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Upgr8er
Could you describe the general steps I would take if one of the drives took a dump and was replaced with a new one? Would I have to do a fresh Windows XP install on the new drive first?

1) Boot the damaged PC with a generic WHS Restore CD.
2) Log onto the Home Server and select the image to restore (by date of backup)
3) Choose the hard disk volume to restore the image to.
That's it.

My Windows Home Server Backup and Restore

Technet: Windows Home Server Backups

WHS is installed on a separate PC (or purchased as a finished computer). No monitor, keyboard, or mouse is needed. Only a wired connection to your home network is needed. The PC that it's installed on doesn't have to be the latest and greatest.

The HP product (the first released in the U.S.) is about $550 with a 500GB hard drive and quick-removal SATA slots for three additional hard drives. Identical sections of files on different PCs are only stored once, so the backups are smaller than you'd expect.

 

[Upgr8er]

Wow, guys . . . . thanks!

Sounds like the way to go.

I was planning on upgrading my daughter's Pentium 2.4 with 1 gig of ram with something better. Would hers make a good system for that? If so, I guess I would just need to slap another drive in it and I'll be good to go?

Thanks again !!!