Need backup solution for a small office

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Tue, 05/26/2009 - 3:27pm

autoboy

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Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Need backup solution for a small office

I have about 10 PCs in my office. Most are Vista 32. I have a few still on Windows XP. Two are Macs. One mac is dual boot Vista 64 using Bootcamp. One Linux box. This may grow to 20 computers eventually.

I have a Dlink NAS that serves as general storage. It gets backed up once a week to an external server. People are supposed to back up their files to the NAS but they don't. I would like to find a solution so I can backup all the PCs in the office on a daily basis.

I was thinking I would get a WHS for the office and use that to backup the PCs. The macs and Linux box would need their own software running that would use the WHS as a NAS.

I could also just buy backup software that uses the NAS for the storage.

Any suggestions?

Tue, 05/26/2009 - 3:40pm

Mike Garcen

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Joined: 1 Oct 2006

Yeah, WHS seems like the way to go...even moreso if you could find a way to connect the NAS to it (eSATA?). WHS will do everything automated, and is real simple. Plus, the latest HP versions have support for the MAC back-up software, doesn't it? Don't have a mac, so little experience...

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Tue, 05/26/2009 - 3:45pm

Mast3rL33

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According to the HP site, Mac's backup solution Time Capsule is also compatible now as well. I am looking at the product myself, but may not have the money to purchase very soon.

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Tue, 05/26/2009 - 4:08pm

Izrun

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Joined: 9 Oct 2007

WHS only works for a max of 10 computers, so that might not be the best option for you.

Tue, 05/26/2009 - 5:48pm

LandShark

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Joined: 17 Dec 2006

my home server is running WHS, and I love it. I have 7 PC (included HTPCs) @ home.

btw, does anyone know how to get Mac to backup to the WHS box if the box is home brew?? or it's more like a special plug in that HP wrote for themselves??

My HTPC 3.0 setup

Tue, 05/26/2009 - 10:09pm

autoboy

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Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Well, Time capsule is important if it works. I'll check that out. The 10 max issue is a bit of a problem although I bet there are ways around that. The more than 10 issue isn't a problem right now especially if the Macs using Time Capsule don't count, but it doesn't sound that awesome that I can't expand.

Why would I add the NAS to the WHS? Why wouldn't I just take the HDs out of it and transplant them to the WHS? Then I could sell the NAS. It is still a good box.

Edit: WHS is limited to 10 connections using the backup function so the Time capsule computers should not be a problem. It could also be used on computers that are not as critical for access to the files without the backup. This *might* work for me but I will need to find out a bit more.

Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:49am

George Schmauch

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Joined: 21 Dec 2006

autoboy wrote:

Why would I add the NAS to the WHS? Why wouldn't I just take the HDs out of it and transplant them to the WHS? Then I could sell the NAS. It is still a good box.

Exactly. I'm using WHS to back up just two computers in the house, but it works so well, it's not even funny.

Quote:

Edit: WHS is limited to 10 connections using the backup function so the Time capsule computers should not be a problem. It could also be used on computers that are not as critical for access to the files without the backup. This *might* work for me but I will need to find out a bit more.

Just to ensure people are clear: WHS is limited to 10 computers, as well as 10 users. See here.

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Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:09am

autoboy

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Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Quote:

Just to ensure people are clear: WHS is limited to 10 computers, as well as 10 users. See here.

WHS supports two servers per household. That would work for me. After that, I'll have to switch to a new system.

Need backup solution for a small office

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