Looking for some ideas on a new DR/Backup Strategy

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Posts: 2
Comments: 2

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here is able to help me, I'm a network administrator to a small windows domain network, we run approx 30 workstations and 4 dell servers, all of which are running Windows 2003 (3x 64bit, 1x 32bit). Currently we take a daily snapshot of the data onto a 1tb USB drive and take this offsite automatically.

As time moves on we really need to be looking at a DR solution that is as offsite and automatic as possible. Our site currently has 3x ADSL lines with Be* giving a total of approx 50mb down and 6mb up which should be sufficient for the data change we go through daily.

Now what I wish to do is backup our servers to a local storage device as images, in a DR situation I can simply boot up a machine running VM and then run each of my backup's as virtual machines, now what I want to then do is replicate this local machine off'site and have it sitting running VMware thus giving me DR, backup and the ability to run the virtualised images when needed.

Now Ive got a few questions and these are ...

1. Would you do it this way? if not why?
2. What hardware would you recommend for the storage? (HP D2D's have built in replication but seem privey)
3. What Acronis tools will I need?

Thanks in advanced
Mike

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 15:05
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Posts: 24
Comments: 3268

Hello Michael!

Welcome to Acronis Forum and thank you for finding time to share your concerns with us! I understand your scenario and will be glad to provide you with all necessary assistance.

You have specified a very reasonable scenario, though product choice depends on several details.

As far as I understood you would like to backup only Server OS machines.
Should you need to have an ability to manage the backup process remotely, I would advise you to use Acronis Backup and Recovery Advanced Server.
In case you have an ability to manage the process from every machine, feel free to use Acronis Backup and Recovery Server for Windows.

These products are identical in functionality, and the only difference is in the presence of remote control features. You can test both solutions, all demo version are available here.

In order to be able to boot the Virtual machine into the image created, you need to have it converted to the *.vhd or *.vmdk (depends on the virtual machine type). You can easily do it while creating a backup - just enable the Convert to VM option in the backup options. (Please find  more details in the User's Guide, page 206).

After that you will have a backup and a Vm created, so in case of a system crash you will have an ability to immediately boot up from a virtual machine and proceed with a recovery of the computer in question!

Should something seem confusing or have any further questions - feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience, we will be happy to help you!

Thank you!

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Wed, 04/14/2010 - 15:50