Backup Server

Backing up data and having an effective backup and disaster recovery plan in place can help mitigate risks related to major data loss. Files can be lost unexpectedly due to computer crashes, virus infections, hard drive failures, theft, ....

For our backup server we are using free and open source BackupPC. It is a high-performance, enterprise-grade system for backing up Unix, Linux, WinXX, and MacOSX PCs, desktops and laptops to a server's disk.

BackupPC Features

• A clever pooling scheme minimises disk storage and disk I/O. Identical files across multiple backups of the same or different PCs are stored only once resulting in substantial savings in disk storage and disk I/O.

• One example of disk use: 95 laptops with each full backup averaging 3.6 GB each, and each incremental averaging about 0.3 GB. Storing three weekly full backups and six incremental backups per laptop is around 1200 GB of raw data, but because of pooling and compression only 150 GB is needed.

• Optional compression support further reducing disk storage. Since only new files (not already pooled) need to be compressed, there is only a modest impact on CPU time.

• No client-side software is needed. The standard SMB protocol is used to extract backup data on Windows clients. On Linux clients, tar over ssh/rsh/nfs is used to backup the data. With version 2.0.0, rsync is also supported on any client that has rsync or rysncd.

• A powerful web (http/cgi) user interface allows administrators to view log files, configuration, current status and allows users to initiate and cancel backups and browse and restore files from backups.

• A full set of restore options is supported, including direct restore (via smbclient, tar, or rsync/rsyncd) or downloading a zip or tar file.

• Supports mobile environments where laptops are only intermittently connected to the network and have dynamic IP addresses (DHCP).

• Flexible configuration parameters allow multiple backups to be performed in parallel, specification of which shares to backup, which directories to backup or not backup, various schedules for full and incremental backups, schedules for email reminders to users and so on. Configuration parameters can be set system-wide or also on a per-PC basis.

• Users are sent periodic email reminders if their PC has not recently been backed up. Email content, timing and policies are configurable.

BackupPC Installation

We can install it as an addition to our Small Business Server solution, on dedicated off-site VPS or dedicated server unit on your other business/home location.

Let’s schedule an initial consultation meeting at your offices to discuss this solution in greater detail!