How to Backup a Server

When you have a Windows Server running in your office, it is important to include it in the backup process.  Backup for Workgroups makes it easy and affordable to backup this important part of your business.  Let's discuss a few preliminary topics first before we explain how Backup for Workgroups can backup your server for you.

What do I need to know about my server before I can back it up?

Servers are typically computers that operate as a shared resource on your network for the benefit of all your employees.  Some servers perform dedicated tasks and other servers are multi-purpose.  You need to know what Windows Operating System your server is running and make a list of the key applications you are using so you can make sure that the backup software you select supports the backup of all of these elements.

When you have a dedicated server, such as a domain controller or an Exchange Server, you need to select backup software that supports the dedicated activities of this particular server.  When you have a multi-purpose server, you may need a backup program that can backup a broad range of applications to make sure everything gets backed up.  If you can't remember what applications are running or installed on a particular server, you can go to the Start menu, select All Programs, and review the list.

What are the common applications that run on a server?

With Windows, the two most common applications that run on servers are email server applications, such as Microsoft Exchange Server and database server applications, such as MS-SQL.  Other common applications you may find on a Windows server are domain controller, Active Directory, accounting software programs, appointment and scheduling software, document management programs, sales or customer contact management programs, and web servers.

Why is backing up a server different than backing up my desktop computer?

Generally speaking, backing up a server is different than backing up your desktop computers because:

• Servers tend to be a shared resource in which an employee does not "sit in front of it" to monitor its status
• Servers need to run continuously without interruption, and
• Servers tend to have files that are in use all the time.

When an employee uses an assigned computer, the employee can make sure backups are running in two ways - they can manually run the backups as needed or they can use automated backup software and check on this periodically to make sure the automated backup software is doing its job.  Because an employee usually does not sit in front of a server every day, you need a backup program that can send you reports letting you know the status of the server backup program.

Servers are always running to provide you and your employees with the ability to use the resources that they provide.  As a result, you need a backup program that does not interrupt the server activities while the server is running.

Since servers tend to have files that are in use all of the time, you need a backup program that can handle backing up open files.

How does Backup for Workgroups backup a server?

Backup for Workgroups is a client/server application.  The server side of Backup for Workgroups is called the Data Repository Manager.  The Data Repository Manager holds the backup data and is installed on a computer that has access to enough storage space to hold your backup files.  The client side of Backup for Workgroups is installed on the computers that you want to backup.  If you have just one server you want to backup, you can install both the Backup Client and Data Repository Manager on this one server.  The Backup for Workgroups Setup program will walk you through the process of installing the Data Repository Manager and the Backup Client.

So, let's assume that you have just one Windows Server that you want to backup.  And your Windows Server has access to a storage device with sufficient storage space to hold your backup data, such as an external USB hard drive.  You have downloaded the Backup for Workgroups trial software and you ran the Setup program to install and configure your Data Repository and Backup Client on your Windows Server computer.  Now what happens?

You are ready to backup your Windows Server.  The Backup Client will automatically detect that it is installed on a Windows Server and it will activate certain server oriented functions for you.  The Backup Client will default to backing up all the local drives and all applications installed on this computer.  If the Windows Server is running Windows 2003, the Setup program will ask you if you want to use the Open File Add-On.  Assuming you select "Yes - I want to use the Open File Add-On" - the Backup Client will activate the Open File Manager when it begins a backup.  The Open File Manager will allow the Backup Client to backup all of the files on this Windows Server including files such as: Exchange Server databases, MS-SQL databases, Active Directory databases, Windows Registry information, open accounting files, etc.

If you need to backup a Windows Server that is running Windows 2000, you can use a combination of the other add-ons available to include Exchange Server and/or Active Directory information in the backup process.  The Backup Client also supports the ability to stop services to perform a backup, and then once the backup process is complete - the Backup Client restarts the services for you.  When you stop services during the backup, the backup process should have access to all of the information to make sure all the data is accessible to the backup process.

Do many people use Backup for Workgroups to backup their servers?

YES!  Almost every one of our customers is using Backup for Workgroups to backup at least one Windows Server!  But you should not let the backup process end at the server level, you should remember to include all of your desktop computers in the backup process as well.  Your employees have a lot of data on their desktop computers and if you leave their computers out of the backup process and they experience data loss - you are looking at a non-productive employee who needs to recreate data - if they can.

Backup all your Windows computers with Backup for Workgroups!

We have priced Backup for Workgroups with small enterprises in mind - you need to include ALL of your computers in the backup process affordably.

Looking for more information?

We have a step-by-step walk through of the installation process ready for you to read so you can see just how easy it is to install Backup for Workgroups.

You can see how easy Backup for Workgroups is to setup -
click here to read the simple installation steps online.

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