How to backup WHS macine?

[Gambler]

What is the best option to backup a WHS machine? I have read several threads in the forum describing how a WHS machine can be used to backup other computers on a home network, but little to no discussion on how the files on the WHS machine should be backed up. Any suggestions?

Can SyncToy be used to backup the WHS machine to a NAS device or some other storage device?

 

[JackMDS]

Many people do not backup the actual WHS OS.

It is Not a Workstation, so in most cases the OS part is what is installed at the initial installation, and it is installed on ts own partition separate from the Server's DATA

If some thing goes wrong with the OS partition you just re-install the OS.
Re-installation of the OS does Not touch the Server's Data part.

In any case take a look at this too, http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2009/03/21/backing-up-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

.

 

[notposting]

Few things to point out:

1) I haven't done this yet, but when add a drive you can use it for Storage or Backup I believe. You would use this to backup the data on another (usb/fw/esata/network) drive.

2) You can backup the computer backups with an addin I believe (like whsdbbb or something like that). It's not standard since the thinking is that if the server goes--well you still have your machine. Of course, if you play with your machines a little riskier because of that safety margin, well, that's where you want to make those backups.

3) The OS itself...I think this is the trickier part. Normally as Jack said you can just re-install, though you may have some nagging irritations with passwords, user accounts, etc...I think some people have tried things like imaging it, though I'm not sure how successful that is.

 

[RebateMonger]

You have to decide what you want to back up. There's:

1) The OS partition
2) The client backup database
3) The file shares

The backup method chosen depends on what you want to back up.

Reinstallation of the OS is normally trivial and can normally be done without the loss of either the client backup database or the file shares. So, generally speaking, there's not a big need to back up the OS partition.

File shares can be backed up with many file utilities. Here's an article on how to synchronize two Windows Home Servers using SyncToy. WHS also provides the option of disk redundancy, but that's not as secure as backups.

http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2009/02/syncing-two-windows-home-servers.html

The client backup database in WHS can also be backed up using a free WHS add-in or manually by temporarily stopping two services and copying the database files elsewhere.

 

[Gambler]

Thanks for the replies. I am more interested in backing up the client databases and file shares - more so the file shares. I would like to keep all of our photos, music, data files, etc. in one location so we can access them from any computer in the house.

It is my understanding the WHS OS will occupy about 20GB on the first hard drive. It is good to know that reinstalling the WHS OS will not overwrite the data partition. However, if this drive fails the OS and data partition would be lost - right? This is why I was interested in backing up any client databases and file shares.

Also, if the primary drive fails and takes out the OS and data partitions on that drive, what happens to data stored in client databases and file shares on a second drive added to the system for extra storage capacity? I assume any data on the drive will it be overwritten when the file shares are restored from the back up. Would it be possible to access the files if the second drive is attached to another computer?

 

[JackMDS]

The short come of WHS is that you can not back the whole thing with an application like Acronis TrueImage.

However the content of the Files Shares are saved in regular format and can be copy/sync. to other storage in order to maintain more copies. Or in case of failure put the second drive as data drive in an other computer.

 

[RebateMonger]

Also, if the OS disk fails, you can replace the disk and leave the other disks in place and WHS will detect that there used to be a Windows Home Server there and, after re-installing the OS, will re-index all the data files on the other disks. If you didn't have disk redundancy enabled you will lose the data that was on the OS disk, but you don't necessarily have to do any separate data recovery operations to get your old WHS data shares back.

Microsoft has several white papers that document how WHS works, including backup and recovery procedures.

 

[RedFiveSW]

My HP WHS has a backup built in for just the file shares. The client backups are not as important unless the client and your WHS fail at the same time.

 

[JackMDS]

Some of the brand names that sell Windows Home server install additional Add-Ins that they develop themselves or buy from 3rd party.

My first post in the thread have a link to such an Add-in.

 

[Gambler]

Many thanks to those who replied to my questions. I really appreciate the feedback. I think I am beginning to get my head around how to approach backing up the information on a WHS machine. The links have been very informative.

Now for the fun part . . . selecting the hardware for a WHS build!

 

[notposting]

Many thanks to those who replied to my questions. I really appreciate the feedback. I think I am beginning to get my head around how to approach backing up the information on a WHS machine. The links have been very informative.

Now for the fun part . . . selecting the hardware for a WHS build!

A good motherboard for it: Biostar A760G M2+

ECC support, 6 SATA ports, Gb LAN, plenty of USB (for making file backups) and the PCIe x16 can be used for non-graphics cards (future controller card expansion). Pair with a 45W TDP processor and you're golden. Mine is running with a dual core and 2 hd's and idle power is at 48W.

Good luck with whatever you build

 

[Tech_savy]

Check this link it can help you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Home_Server

 

[darkamulets]

A good motherboard for it: Biostar A760G M2+

ECC support, 6 SATA ports, Gb LAN, plenty of USB (for making file backups) and the PCIe x16 can be used for non-graphics cards (future controller card expansion). Pair with a 45W TDP processor and you're golden. Mine is running with a dual core and 2 hd's and idle power is at 48W.

Good luck with whatever you build

Running that in a normal size case or something smaller?

 

[notposting]

Running that in a normal size case or something smaller?

For now a regular size Antec tower, SLK1650B I believe. Will eventually move to something with more capacity for drives. Preferably with plenty of 5.25" bays to jam the multi-drive units into. Still some room in the case so I don't need to go there right away.

Won't need to worry too much until I start ripping the entire DVD library to disk. Doing the CD's now so it will be awhile.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Having at least two drives in a WHS box and using folder replication should be enough security, IMHO.