Todd said:
Hi All,
Anyone know of a good open source backup software that
will backup an SBS 2003 server (xp server), to include
Exchange and M$SQL server 2005?
Many thanks,
-T
One of your unwritten requirements, is to do this
while the programs are running ? That would be
an important detail.
A lot of backup software, uses VSS and makes a shadow copy.
Running applications, have to listen to requests to quiesce,
in order for VSS to make a clean copy. That's mentioned here,
with examples of older software that is not prepared for this.
http://www.storagecraft.com/support/kb/article/8
There is one other statement in there which is interesting:
"Be aware that on Small Business Server (SBS) 2003,
the Exchange VSS writer is disabled by default, so you'll
need to turn it on for it to work properly with VSS requestors
such as ShadowProtect. See Microsoft KB article: KB838183
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/838183
"
I wouldn't think the backup application itself would be
that unique, unless it provides something "custom" to aid
the preparation phase of a backup. Such as making some
application quiescent. Normally, the OS has a set of
writers, which take care of common stuff. For example,
if I were to run my Windows 8 desktop right now, it would
not have an Exchange VSS Writer in it, so if I somehow
installed Exchange on a desktop, it would be unprepared
to do the backup properly. Then, a "good" backup program,
would have some kind of Exchange VSS Writer of its own.
Based on the commercial nature of Exchange (known to be
used by business users), I can't imagine any developer
in their right mind, giving a backup program away for
this. And if you couldn't restore later, who would
you turn to for help ? Somewhere in this solution,
the tool has to be "commercial enough", that you can
still get troubleshooting help if it fouls up.
And let's take another scenario - a hypothetical one.
Say I suggest to you, that you try Macrium Reflect Free
(a VSS based backup program). Would you dare try it against
a customer server ? Would the server have a backup available
in another form, that you could restore from ? Just testing
some piece of software, is going to be risky. Do you have
your own SBS2003 server to test on ?
*******
A license for this one, is $495. Imagine an open source
solution, turning down that kind of money.
http://windowsitpro.com/backup-and-recovery/review-shadowprotect-server
Paul
