Image Windows Server 2003 to External HDD

[roadsweeper]

Hi

I want to take a full image of a hardware RAID Windows 2003 Server onto an external (USB) Hard Disk Drive. Ideally this should be schedulable and able to occur in the background whilst the server continues to run.

I'd use Norton Ghost for this kind of thing normally but it doesn't support Windows 2003 Server or, officially, RAID.

Any suggestions as to good quality and cheap software to achieve this? I have some options but want to check I've not missed anything...

Cheers,

roadie.

[BliarOut]

Have you looked at Acronis? I know it can do scheduled images/inject only changes sectors into images etc, but don't know if it can officially handle 2K3 server and RAID. I would have thought it's worth a look.

[roadsweeper]

Thanks for that. I've just taken a look at Acronis but the server version is $700, compared to the $50 price of the PC version. This is part of the problem, they apply huge multiples to the price of the software just to run it on a server when it's really little or no different to the home PC version.

Any other suggestions?

[JamieBeeston]

What version of RAID are you using?

It shouldnt make any difference to ghost really, esp not if Raid1.

another option you have (If Raid1), just buy a third hdd and every week, just pop out one hdd and replace it with last weeks backup.

The RAID will rebuild, and you have an instant copy of all your data! Fastest possible backup times too.

[roadsweeper]

JamieBeeston said:

What version of RAID are you using? It shouldnt make any difference to ghost really, esp not if Raid1. another option you have (If Raid1), just buy a third hdd and every week, just pop out one hdd and replace it with last weeks backup. The RAID will rebuild, and you have an instant copy of all your data! Fastest possible backup times too.

Hi Jamie

It's not a particular RAID version because I want to use it in lots of different circumstances, some with RAID0, 1 or 5 and some without RAID.

I do like the suggestion of a 3rd HDD though - nice thinking.

[_DeeJay_]

That's assuming RAID1. It'll also leave you exposed whilst the new disk rebuilds and will negatively impact performance of the RAID array...

D

[JamieBeeston]

_DeeJay_ said:

That's assuming RAID1. It'll also leave you exposed whilst the new disk rebuilds and will negatively impact performance of the RAID array... D

Said it only works on Raid1 (or 10!)

Performance impact can be minimised on the controll if you like, but it wont be as bad as the performance hit of an Application mirroring the drive (as that will need CPU time as well!) and you're not exactly THAT exposed, given you have an exact copy in your hand

but sure, there is a minimal < 5% chance of risk imho.

The faster the drives / system / RAID Controller you have, coupled with the less data the less time a rebuild will take.

Maybe 10-20 mins on a decent system.