Best software/hardware backup solution for Windows Server 2000?

[skeebop]

Can you guys recommend me a good backup solution for 100+GB of data on a Windows Server 2000 Environment? I could quite possibly start converting all users to roaming profiles with documents therefore having to increase capacity down the line of how much needs to be backed up, but for now, lets just say 100+GB of info including the OS, and other files shared onboard. Can you recommend me a good corporate software backup that is easy to restore in an emergency and a good hardware solution like an AIT or something like that? Thanks.

[M11]

Sony makes excellent tape drives that have proven to be error free and reliable. How much storage is dependant on how much data you have, but more importantly, how fast new data is created. My compay makes frequent of Veritas Backup Exec at client locations, and for good reason. It is intelligent about backup, allowing a multitude of scheduling options and flexibility as to how the backup is performed. It can allow incremental, full, etc. It is designed for use with tape backup systems. Overall, it has been easy to configure and always has allowed for fast recovery.

[skeebop]

how is the restore process? pretty fast and efficient? does one most likely have to get the OS and veritas software loaded again and then restore the machine, or simpler than that?

[M11]

The restore is efficient whether you have to reload windows or just recover files from the backup. For windows recovery, I would recommend ghosting the server immediately after you get a working configuration but before you put everything on it. BackupExec is not designed to restore windows, thats ghost's realm. If you're running a networked environment with multiple servers, BackupExec's automation and centralization will be of great benefit.

BackupExec:
http://veritas.com/Products/www?c=product&refId=57


Backup Exec™ 9.1 for Windows Servers is simple enough for the novice user to install and administer, yet flexible to meet the needs of large departmental workgroup or remote office environments. Administrators can now manage Backup Exec with a consolidated, browser-like graphical user interface, or a new web-based administration console and snap-in for Windows Server 2003, Storage Server 2003, or Windows-based NAS appliances. Additional ease of use administration features include:

Outlook-style Calendar Scheduler - efficient viewing of scheduled operations
Information Desk - quick access to support information, manuals and wizards
One-button Backup - speedy, short-cut for a complete system backup

Simplify management of remote office servers with centralized administration.

Admin Plus Pack Option - centrally clone and manage remote backup servers
ExecView - monitor job activity across a distributed environment

Fastest, Simplest Installation and Configuration

Task Wizards - rapid installation, media management, and cluster configuration
New Job Templates - eliminate the need for individual job editing
Automatic Discovery - detect new unprotected databases and volumes at risk

The Backup Exec architecture is designed to minimize network traffic and maximize throughput performance. Optional Remote Agents for Windows and NetWare servers use VERITAS exclusive Agent Accelerator™ technology for distributed processing and source compression when protecting or restoring remote file and database servers.