using a backup server

[Phil Rushton]

I have two identical servers a main and a backup. Both running 2003 sr2 and
terminal services in a workgroup. User profiles and documents are all stored
on the main server.

I want to be able to synchronize the main server with the backup server so
that all I have to do is unplug one and plug in the other so people can
carry on working.

What is the best practice for doing this? I tried using Backup and Restore
but when I log onto the backup server it creates a second empty profile. I
named the backup server identical to the first.

--
Regards
Philip A Rushton
ICT Officer
029 2052 7187
www.age-concern-cardiff.org.uk

Why not visit our online shop for quality clothing and other items at
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Age-Concern-Cardiff

Visit here for information on Age Concerns Insurance Products and Services
www.ageconcern.org.uk/shop

This message is confidential. It should not be disclosed, or used by anyone
other than the intended recipient, without the prior consent of the author.
If you receive this message in error, please advise the author.

The opinions or statements expressed herein are my own. They should not be
taken as the position or opinion of, or viewed as having the endorsement of
Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: using a backup server

Phil Rushton <phil.rushton@age-concern-cardiff.org.uk> wrote:
> I have two identical servers a main and a backup. Both running 2003
> sr2 and terminal services in a workgroup. User profiles and documents
> are all stored on the main server.
>
> I want to be able to synchronize the main server with the backup
> server so that all I have to do is unplug one and plug in the other
> so people can carry on working.
>
> What is the best practice for doing this? I tried using Backup and
> Restore but when I log onto the backup server it creates a second
> empty profile. I named the backup server identical to the first.

For just data files, you could use robocopy in a batch file, scheduled to
run regularly. Cheap and cheerful.

For user profiles, since you're not using AD, it's a bit trickier, I
suspect. Why are you using a workgroup, out of curiosity?

 

[Anthony [MVP]]

Re: using a backup server

Phil,
Can you describe the problem a little more? Does the Restore work fully
except for creating a duplicate profile?

You asked about the best practice for synchronizing a backup server. To
really synchronize, in real time, you would need to cluster two servers.
Otherwise, a quick way to restore to a different server is to do a full
image backup with a product like Acronis or Backup Exec System Recovery,
Hope that helps,
Anthony,
http://www.airdesk.co.uk


"Phil Rushton" <phil.rushton@age-concern-cardiff.org.uk> wrote in message
news:QIadnaCqNIIcH37VnZ2dnUVZ8szinZ2d@bt.com...
> I have two identical servers a main and a backup. Both running 2003 sr2
> and terminal services in a workgroup. User profiles and documents are all
> stored on the main server.
>
> I want to be able to synchronize the main server with the backup server so
> that all I have to do is unplug one and plug in the other so people can
> carry on working.
>
> What is the best practice for doing this? I tried using Backup and Restore
> but when I log onto the backup server it creates a second empty profile. I
> named the backup server identical to the first.
>
> --
> Regards
> Philip A Rushton
> ICT Officer
> 029 2052 7187
> www.age-concern-cardiff.org.uk
>
> Why not visit our online shop for quality clothing and other items at
> http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Age-Concern-Cardiff
>
> Visit here for information on Age Concerns Insurance Products and Services
> www.ageconcern.org.uk/shop
>
> This message is confidential. It should not be disclosed, or used by
> anyone other than the intended recipient, without the prior consent of the
> author. If you receive this message in error, please advise the author.
>
> The opinions or statements expressed herein are my own. They should not be
> taken as the position or opinion of, or viewed as having the endorsement
> of Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
>
>

 

[Phil Rushton]

Re: using a backup server

We only have a simple peer to peer network. AD is overkill as far as I'm
concerned.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eMxW349IJHA.5060@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
Why are you using a workgroup, out of curiosity?
>
>

 

[Phil Rushton]

Re: using a backup server

Thanks
I've downloaded the trial of Backup Exec System Recovery. I'll see how it
works.

"Anthony [MVP]" <anthony@no-reply.com> wrote in message
news:%235Lg1n%23IJHA.3424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Phil,
> Can you describe the problem a little more? Does the Restore work fully
> except for creating a duplicate profile?
>
> You asked about the best practice for synchronizing a backup server. To
> really synchronize, in real time, you would need to cluster two servers.
> Otherwise, a quick way to restore to a different server is to do a full
> image backup with a product like Acronis or Backup Exec System Recovery,
> Hope that helps,
> Anthony,
> http://www.airdesk.co.uk
>
>
> "Phil Rushton" <phil.rushton@age-concern-cardiff.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:QIadnaCqNIIcH37VnZ2dnUVZ8szinZ2d@bt.com...
>> I have two identical servers a main and a backup. Both running 2003 sr2
>> and terminal services in a workgroup. User profiles and documents are all
>> stored on the main server.
>>
>> I want to be able to synchronize the main server with the backup server
>> so that all I have to do is unplug one and plug in the other so people
>> can carry on working.
>>
>> What is the best practice for doing this? I tried using Backup and
>> Restore but when I log onto the backup server it creates a second empty
>> profile. I named the backup server identical to the first.
>>
>> --
>> Regards
>> Philip A Rushton
>> ICT Officer
>> 029 2052 7187
>> www.age-concern-cardiff.org.uk
>>
>> Why not visit our online shop for quality clothing and other items at
>> http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Age-Concern-Cardiff
>>
>> Visit here for information on Age Concerns Insurance Products and
>> Services
>> www.ageconcern.org.uk/shop
>>
>> This message is confidential. It should not be disclosed, or used by
>> anyone other than the intended recipient, without the prior consent of
>> the author. If you receive this message in error, please advise the
>> author.
>>
>> The opinions or statements expressed herein are my own. They should not
>> be taken as the position or opinion of, or viewed as having the
>> endorsement of Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
>>
>>

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: using a backup server

Phil Rushton <phil.rushton@age-concern-cardiff.org.uk> wrote:
> We only have a simple peer to peer network. AD is overkill as far as
> I'm concerned.

How many nodes?

I don't like workgroups, because I like centralized management and security.
I've got SOHO offices with three users set up with AD. It's a lot easier to
support. Just my $.02.

>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote in
> message news:eMxW349IJHA.5060@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Why are you using a workgroup, out of curiosity?