At home, my family runs a 5 pc Vista network. All workstations are used on a daily basis. Backups are really cumbersome. There is about 20-30 gig worth of data that needs I backup nightly.
My current backup solution has been as follows:
One one pc, is a shared drive. All the data from the 4 other workstations is copied (not moved) to the 5th pc over the network. A USB hard drive is then connected to the 5th pc and a backup to this device is then performed.
It takes forever to move all the data first from all the workstations to the 5th pc and then from the 5th pc to the USB drive.
Would anyone have a suggestion on how to improve my backup process. I do like to keep a copy of my data offsite (ie USB Hard drive) so that in the event of any kind of disaster, an offsite backup is available.
Thank you

"-1"

Try this:
1. Click on Start -> Control Panel
2. Click on Programs
3. Click on the Turn Windows Features on and off link under Programs link (If a UAC prompt appears click Continue.)
4. Scroll down to Remote Differential Compression and uncheck the box
5. Click OK and after configuration is complete, restart your computer
Good luck.
Lang

* -1:

This may not help you, but it may be something you'd like to check into. Windows Home Server just went to RC1 and I have been so pleased with this product, I can barely contain myself.... Microsoft has done good with this.
You have to signup for it, but that shouldn't be a problem. If you have a computer to spare, even an old one, this could be something for you to try. They've take Windows Server 2003 SBS (very solid) and added some components to make it so simple to use for a home network. One of the nicest features, it will back up all your computers on the network. Have a look, if not for you now, it could be be down the road. Microsoft had originally planed this as strictly an OEM appliance, but I do believe that thinking has changed and they will offer it to users as a separate product to install. There's been no official word on that or future pricing. I really do like what they've done with this.
microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer
Here's an excited Paul Thurrott talking about Windows Home Server beta. winsupersite.com/reviews/whs_preview.asp
-Michael

winsupersite.com/reviews/whs_preview2.asp An updated review from April on the CTP release.
* MICHAEL:

"MICHAEL"

I signed up and never heard a word from MS...
Lang

* Lang Murphy:

Lang, did you sign-up at the Connect site? connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver
You'll see a link "Click here to sign up for the Windows Home Server RC" which is, https://connect.microsoft.com/programdetails.aspx?ProgramDetailsID=1475
Then you'll see "Apply for Participation in this Program"
Hopefully, they'll get back to you. They've expanded the testing for RC1, so you should get accepted.
-Michael

* MICHAEL:

A friend just told me that after he finished the "Mandatory Survey", he was able to download HomeServer right away. Don't forget to click "Product Keys" and then "get key". He was able to do all this without waiting for any acceptance email.
-Michael

"MICHAEL"

Hmmm... will have to check that out... thanks!
Lang

"MICHAEL"

Dude! AWESOME! I'm D/L'ing as I type... Never occurred to me to check out "My Participation" to see if WHS was listed. Doh! I am really, really, psyched about checking this out. I have a laptop I'd like to use it on but it only has a 60GB drive... guess I have to go off and read the WHS forums to see if I can get away with a 60GB HD... if not, I've got a GX240 with a gig of RAM into which I can drop a 160GB HD.
Thanks again, Michael!
Lang

Lang Murphy wrote:

We've been using WHS since the betas and just upgraded to the RC. It's really a great product and we love it! I don't think it will work or it meant to work on a laptop according to the FAQ's. We have it installed on an old BX440 mobo with 1 gig of RAM and an overclocked 1 gigahertz Celeron with two 250 gig pata HDD's. Runs great! Enjoy! Frank

Lang, install it on a spare desktop. It's meant to be run headless - not something that one can do with a laptop ;-)
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-) Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-) MVP Windows Shell/User
"Lang Murphy"

* Lang Murphy:

You're welcome, Lang.
As Frank and Jane have said already, WHS is really meant for a desktop machine, and meant to be run headless. Although, I'm sure quite a few also use it from time to time as a usable OS.... I do. When I'm messing around with the machine that has WHS, I'll do some surfing and read newsgroups too. You can tweak it a bit to make it more desktop/user friendly if you want. The only "bad" thing is it's such a great a OS for every day use, you might get spoiled.... Windows Server 2003 is absolutely rock solid and quick as a server, and to use as a desktop OS. But, it terms of controlling the basic functions of WHS, you can do that from the "Console" on the other connected computers. I would be careful if you go into "Services" and want to try to enable/disable certain things. Little things like enabling "Themes" is fine, but some Server 2003 services that have been disabled may mess up WHS if you enable them.
The WHS forums can be very helpful, be sure to check them out.
I think you'll enjoy WHS. It does what it's supposed to do and does it well. Even though I have local backup plans in place for my machines, the backup feature in WHS is nice and seems to work well.... just another safety net for me.
The joy of testing something new..... have fun!
Take care,
Michael

MICHAEL wrote:

Michael, have you tried Server 2008? Frank

* Frank:

Absolutely. Been playing with that for awhile. Haven't you seen me brag about it here?
I've really only played with it as a desktop OS and not as a server. It is a fine piece of coding. Stability and performance that I hope is worked into Vista come SP1.
-Michael

MICHAEL wrote:>>>Michael

No...in all the excitement I guess I missed it.

just like Vista. Well almost except no snipping tool and no dreamscene, but with Aero and everything else. Frank

With WHS, is there a way to setup security.
For instance, can we have the kids computers backed up to WHS and have the data accessible from every pc, but at the same time, have the parents pc backed up and only give access to the parents. This prevents files from accidentally being deleted, modified, etc
"Jane C"

"Frank"

Yeah, read in the WHS forums that they're enforcing HW minimum reqs in RC so, yes, it'll be the desktop. Thanks for the feedback.
Lang

"Jane C"

What? One can't rip off the LCD? ;-)
Yeah, I'll be going with the desktop.
Thanks!
Lang

-1 wrote:

Sure, you can a make access or block any folder/file/user. Frank

"MICHAEL"

Michael,
I went off and read the WHS forums this morning and since RC is enforcing HW reqs now, I know I have to use the desktop. I'm clearing off a 160GB drive as I type and will drop that in my GX240 and have at it this weekend.
The GX240 is connected to an 8 port KVM... so I'll have access to it from that. No doubt I'll mess around with the console. Until I see it, I guess I won't know which method is the preferred method (for me) although I'm assuming the purpose of the console is to keep the inquisitive from bringing their server down. ;-)
If the GX240 presents problems, due to HW issues, like I have a USB 2.0 card installed, then I'll try a GX620, which, I should think, is new enough to meet all reqs.
Should be an interesting weekend! LOL!
Lang

Lang Murphy wrote:

Frank

* Lang Murphy:

Let me/us know how it goes. This may not be the proper forum but several of us here are using WHS, so you can also post questions to this thread, and Frank, myself, or someone might be able to help. If some of the anal types don't like it, let 'em get over it. ;-)
I'm not an expert by any means, but if I can help, my email in my headers is valid for now.... I usually change one of the characters in the email address every few months, I only use it for newsgroups.
Have fun playing, testing, and tweaking!
-Michael

"Frank"

Will do, Frank, will do.
Lang

"MICHAEL"

Michael,
Us talking about WHS won't be any worse than the wildly off-topic stuff posted by enthusiasts of other OS's who frequent this NG.
I appreciate the offer to assist. I will avail myself of your offer, no doubt.
I hope to dig into WHS tomorrow.
Regards,
Lang

"Frank"

Frank,
Installed WHS today on a Dell GX620. The install went well... had to install drivers for the NIC, video, audio, and chipset, but once that was done... the thing's up and running like a champ. I have one Vista client set up and will start playing around with it.
Thanks,
Lang

"MICHAEL"

Michael,
As I told Frank up the thread, installed WHS on a Dell GX620 today. After installing some missing drivers, the server's up and running like a champ. I have the client installed on one Vista seat and will commence "playing". Thanks for the supporting words.
Lang

* Lang Murphy: