Automatic Backup of Windows Server to Online Backup Service
Server online backup for business is a different animal than home online backup.
For the most part, syncing data among multiple computers or having mobile access are not the big concerns. Reliability of that backup, security of the information, and having a solid application that will not crash your server are very big concerns.
Marketing Ads Do Not Cater To Server Online Backup
There is a lot of hype about online backup services and they all trip over themselves to have new mobile apps for the latest Apple or Android device. While that’s great on the one hand, what about businesses and those with a Windows home server they want automatic backup for?
Preferably, the program would install and run as a service on the Windows server so that you do NOT have to be logged in to the server for the backup to run. Not a new idea here.
Yet in my search for the perfect server online backup service for my clients Windows servers I have come across VERY little information, let alone support, for the idea.
While I did find a couple of business online backup services that I can recommend and did end up selecting for our own use, it took much more time and trouble than it should have.
But, my loss is your gain!
Here is what I have so far, and I will try to keep it updated as I learn more and more online backup services come around to our way of thinking.
In the first table of online backup vendors you will find the services that, in our opinion, do qualify as full fledged server online backup options. The second table are those that the vendor considers suitable for the purpose, but that we do not. Consequently there is no one to five star rating on this second table.
Bear in mind that when it comes to individual or home backup, these other services might do quite well – in fact one is a clear favorite of ours.
Chart Summary of Server Online Backup Services – Part 1
| Online Backup Service |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Mozy Pro | Basic | Enterprise |
| Server OS Support |
All Windows Servers | Windows Server 2003, 2008 | Windows Server 2003, 2008 1 |
| Server Online Backup Rating |  |
 |
 |
| Run Method | Runs As Service, default | Runs As Service 2 | Runs As Service 1 |
| Continous Backup |
No, just FREQUENT schedule | Yes, Files <500MB Only | No, just FREQUENT schedule |
| Scheduled Backup |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Server Grade |  |
|
|
| Take Action | Try Mozy Pro | Try IDrive | Try ElephantDrive |
1 ElephantDrive (04/26/2011): We officially supports Windows server 2003/2008; but as long as java is installed our software should work on most server OS’s. Lastly, our software can be run as a service so that you do not need to stay logged in. To do this Exit the software -> Go to Start -> All Programs -> ElephantDrive -> Advanced -> Run as a Service.
2 IDrive (04/26/2011): The IDrive application is designed to run as a service by default. So, the machine need not be logged into any user profile for the scheduled backups to work. The application needs to installed and configured for backup in the Administrator login profile.
Chart Summary of Server Online Backup Services – Part 2
| Online Backup Service |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Basic | Basic | Carbonite Pro |
| Server OS Support |
All Windows Servers | None | Windows Server 2003 & 2008 supported but not tested |
| Run Method | Logged In 3 | Logged In | Logged In |
| Continous Backup |
|||
| Scheduled Backup |
|||
| Server Grade |  |
|
|
| Take Action | Try LiveDrive | Try SugarSync | Try Carbonite Pro |
3 LiveDrive (04/25/2011): Runs as logged in user; Can use 3rd party app to run as service but LiveDrive does not support that.
Why I Believe Server Online Backup Must Run As A Service
I believe small businesses have just begun to tap into the realm on online backup services and when they do, those businesses large enough for a real server will want a real server online backup service that runs in real time, on a server that is NOT logged in.
Why is that so important, can’t you just lock the server console?
Sure you can.
But do you ever apply updates to your server, perhaps with WSUS that will automatically reboot your server after the update is applied (usually around 3am)? Despite Microsoft’s perennial promises, updates today are just as likely to require a reboot these days as in olden days.
But can’t you configure an automatic login, with an automatic lock (after a minute of unprotected status perhaps?)? Sure.
Why not just have the backup run RELIABLY running as a service that can (should be) installed with recovery options set to restart the service?
How about power outages. You have a UPS that will shutdown the server when the battery runs low, right? (I heard a few of you utter a ‘no’). When the power comes back on the server will restart, you hope, and you also want your backup service to restart.
Let’s focus on making a server online backup that is as bullet-proof, user-proof and stupid-proof as possible. When you find an online backup service that does this you can simultaneously enjoy the fruits of their labor AND support them and their work encouraging more of the same.
So take a look at the mini server online backup review above and select one that meets your needs.