How to I remotely schedule backups on network PCs

[OscarVogel]

I need to schedule backups to run once on approximately 30 PCs on the
network. Most of the PCs already use task scheduler and ntbackup to backup
files to a server. But I need to run a seperate one time backup of
particular folders on each of the PCs. I'd like to schedule the one time
backups to run at scattered times over this weekend.

I'm hoping to avoid physically sitting down at each workstation to schedule
the task. I'd like to simply create a batch file and then somehow add a
scheduled task without going to each PC. My biggest problem is how to
schedule the tasks remotely. Or is there a completely better way to do
this? (should I instead schedule the server to pull the backups from the
PCs?)

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need to schedule backups to run once on approximately 30 PCs on
the network. Most of the PCs already use task scheduler and
ntbackup to backup files to a server. But I need to run a seperate
one time backup of particular folders on each of the PCs. I'd like
to schedule the one time backups to run at scattered times over
this weekend.
I'm hoping to avoid physically sitting down at each workstation to
schedule the task. I'd like to simply create a batch file and then
somehow add a scheduled task without going to each PC. My biggest
problem is how to schedule the tasks remotely. Or is there a
completely better way to do this? (should I instead schedule the
server to pull the backups from the PCs?)

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

The "schtasks" command line utility?

SCHTASKS /parameter [arguments]

Description:
Enables an administrator to create, delete, query, change, run and
end scheduled tasks on a local or remote system. Replaces AT.exe.

Parameter List:
/Create Creates a new scheduled task.
/Delete Deletes the scheduled task(s).
/Query Displays all scheduled tasks.
/Change Changes the properties of scheduled task.
/Run Runs the scheduled task immediately.
/End Stops the currently running scheduled task.
/? Displays this help/usage.

Examples:
SCHTASKS
SCHTASKS /?
SCHTASKS /Run /?
SCHTASKS /End /?
SCHTASKS /Create /?
SCHTASKS /Delete /?
SCHTASKS /Query /?
SCHTASKS /Change /?

 

[Danny Sanders]

You might consider training your users to save their files to the server in
a home folder you create for them. You could then just back up the server.
No need to worry about if a user left their computer on or not. Less $$$
because you don't need a backup agent for each PC. Eliminates backing up
files over the network. You could just attach the tape to the server and
since the server runs all the time you could backup the server when you
want.


hth
DDS