Best backup software for a Server Essentials 2016 machine??

[davidm71]

Was wondering if anyone could recommend a good backup solution for MS Server Essentials 2016 system? Our server is running on a Dell PowerEdge T330 Server machine.

Thanks

 

[Solaris17]

Backups is a very wide ocean full of specific needs, open source, and expensive licensing.

If you want something basic that works just install the server backup feature.

Most home solutions (especially if your working with DBs like mySQL or AD are not going to work well for servers (if they even install due to OS host check) (no DB delta backup)

 

[Kursah]

I really like the Veeam Agent Free, it works great. I'm not sure how the free version handles DB's, and my server is a Hyper-V host rather than a bare metal server. Veeam is MUCH better IMHO than Windows Server Backup. But anything is better than nothing.

Edit: https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html

 

[Solaris17]

I really like the Veeam Agent Free, it works great. I'm not sure how the free version handles DB's, and my server is a Hyper-V host rather than a bare metal server. Veeam is MUCH better IMHO than Windows Server Backup. But anything is better than nothing.

Edit: https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html

I really like veeam as well the gold standard as far as im concerned.

 

[Kursah]

I really like veeam as well the gold standard as far as im concerned.

Until you use them at an MSP level, we're looking to go back to StorageCraft because their licensing management and updating, centralized management, etc. has turned into a messy time sink. But for end users, great backup and restore options with very consistent good images and very rare to have a bad image or backup chain, its one of the best. In this situation its great. And for many folks its amazing, I still highly recommend it. When you have 400+ Veeam deployments to manage, how they treat licensing and centralized management leaves A LOT to be desired IMHO.

 

[Solaris17]

Until you use them at an MSP level, we're looking to go back to StorageCraft because their licensing management and updating, centralized management, etc. has turned into a messy time sink. But for end users, great backup and restore options with very consistent good images and very rare to have a bad image or backup chain, its one of the best. In this situation its great. And for many folks its amazing, I still highly recommend it. When you have 400+ Veeam deployments to manage, how they treat licensing and centralized management leaves A LOT to be desired IMHO.

really? I used veeam at an MSP level and never used the free for desktops. Our deployment may have been different though. We used ent plus though to backup to B2 and S3 and never backed up peoples machines. All that data was generally linked to via SAN and we backed up the SAN along with the servers connected to it.

I considered storage craft as recently as 5 months ago but it just wasnt for us.

 

[Mindweaver]

Yea, I would just install "windows server backup". Go to Manage/Add Roles and Features then added the windows server backup feature. Then just connect a USB drive and add it as a backup media and then create a full/barebones backup schedule. Remember whatever USB drive you use, you won't be able to use it for anything else. Also, I would use 2x drives and swap them out periodically. I like Veeam as well but the fact that you are using an Essentials server license I wouldn't buy backup software that costs more than my server license. Plus, WIndows server backup has come a long way since it's early days. It's saved my ass many times.

 

[phill]

I'm glad I've seen Veem about a bit, we use it at work so even the free option should be worth a look.

I use the free MS software SyncToy. It seems to work ok and I've not had any issues with it backing up my NAS (Synology) box at home.. Will definitely have a look into Veem myself as well

 

[Mindweaver]

I'm glad I've seen Veem about a bit, we use it at work so even the free option should be worth a look.

I use the free MS software SyncToy. It seems to work ok and I've not had any issues with it backing up my NAS (Synology) box at home.. Will definitely have a look into Veem myself as well

Does Veeam have a free option for companies? I don't know if this guy needs this for a company. I'm just curious.

@OP - I like Backup Exec as well, but I haven't used it in years.

 

[phill]

Does Veeam have a free option for companies? I don't know if this guy needs this for a company. I'm just curious.

@OP - I like Backup Exec as well, but I haven't used it in years.

I'd be surprised if it was free for companies, but for us as home users I believe it does I know one of my colleagues at work uses it on his laptop. I think I'm going to have to try it out at home, I've the kit, I just need some time

 

[Solaris17]

WIndows server backup has come a long way since it's early days. It's saved my ass many times.

same, its a shame its essentials because bonus points if you are running VMs and leaving the host alone. iv had to restore some really bad VMs with WSB and it was fine.

Not to mention WSB like its name implies only kind of looks like the win 7 windows backup, but they are not the same thing.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Just remember a robust backup plan involves multiple layers and copies of backups - with at least one full backup maintained off-site.

And one problem we have seen too often is admins go to great lengths and expense to build a backup system, then they never test it to see if it works, or if they actually know what to do in the event of a catastrophic failure. Then when the need to do a complete restore arises, at best (and if lucky) all that happens is there is excessive downtime. At worse, the backups don't work and restoral fails. Not good.

What you need to do, once your backup plan is in place, is pretend your server room is flooded or is otherwise destroyed by fire or tornado (or theft!). Then you need to replace the hardware (hopefully already on hand) and restore all the data from your back up and test to see if it works and how much, if any recent data is lost.

Other scenarios to test for include sabotage by a disgruntled employee or vandals. Corruption by malware. A ransomware attack. A failed major upgrade to your company apps or the OS. And of course, drive failure - remember, "all drives will fail - eventually!"

You need to make sure upper management is 100% on board with this plan and the "training exercise" needed to fully test the plan and to train sysadmin in implementing it. Truly testing it is an investment in preparedness.

 

[Mindweaver]

And one problem we have seen too often is admins go to great lengths and expense to build a backup system, then they never test it to see if it works,

Yea, I can't stress this enough to the OP. Backup testing is a must.

 

[Solaris17]

There is a saying among sysadmins, that there are no successful backups, only successful restores.

 

[Bill_Bright]

There is a saying among sysadmins, that there are no successful backups, only successful restores.

Never heard that before but it sure makes sense. In fact, I think I will copy it to add to my list of notable quotes.