Looking for Offsite Backup Solution - Input Needed

[DrkSide]

Not sure if this is the right spot for this.

I have a few customers asking for me to backup their server information offsite and a few individuals that have expressed interest in backing up their home computer. They don't care for backing up to the cloud via Mozy or another service like that and would prefer to stay with a local company (Me).

So I have been searching for a software solution that I can run my own backup server off of my server 2003 (soon to be 2008 ) box. These seem to be few and far between. I have looked at Crashplan Pro and Druva. I like the data deduplication of Druva but Crashplan seems to be a proven solution.

Anyone have any input on this?

My server is a intel dual core celeron with 2GB of ram and 6TB of storage. Currently it is running Server 2003 and a VM of Windows Home Server to backup all of my local machines. I want to build a dedicated server if I get more customers but I don't have the $3K that I would like to put into one right now so the cheaper the better until I get it up and running. I am not currently running any type of raid but I will be duplicating the data that is backed up to a second disc somehow.

[OvRiDe]

Crashplan

http://b3.crashplan.com/

Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris clients.

Allows you to back up to your own machines or your friends machines for free, or for a small annual fee you can use their cloud. The neat thing is you can do all three options at the same time if you want.

[Airbozo]

Just make sure YOUR backup plan is spot on before charging someone else for this service. When you enter into an agreement to provide professional backup services you can suddenly become responsible for other peoples data, which can open you up to legal issues.

IMO you should provide at least 2 different backups. Local to your site and an offsite spare in case something happens to the local data (fire, theft, etc.).

Make sure to draw up a legal agreement that protects you from damages in case they do something dumb, or something out of your control eradicates their backups.

[DrkSide]

OvRiDe - I am moving beyond just backing up friends machines. I am going to be charging my customers for this service. So I would have to use Crashplan Pro. I will also be backing up servers (2003 and 2008 ) as well as laptops and workstations.

Thanks for the input. Crashplan is at the top of my list right now. I will probably be starting a trial today and installing it on my server.

[DrkSide]

@Airbozo - I already have the legal agreement drawn up.

I am looking to offer onsite, offsite (my office), and a second offsite (probably friends office) in the service.

I have a customer that wants to be a test subject in return for a month or two free once I get the problems worked out and the service reliable.

The one plus to crashplan is that it does not require me to set up vpn devices as the software takes care of that. This will be a big help in startup due to cost but I am worried about bandwidth.

[OvRiDe]

Logmein Backup is a product that an IT company I sub for uses.

https://secure.logmein.com/products/backup/

Its about 4 bucks a month per PC, its not too bad since you'll probably be marking it up a bit as a service to your customers.

They have been really happy with it, and its taken alot of the hassles out of the process.

It also doesn't require a VPN connection back to the backup server.

[DrkSide]

I didn't even know Logmein had a backup service. OvRiDe, how does this work when backing up a server. Exchange and SQL support at all? I didn't see it on the website but I thought I might give them a call in a little bit.

I use them to remote manage a couple servers and family pc's. Makes the process a breeze.

Edit: Just found it in the KB, it can backup SQL and Exchange.

[Airbozo]

Question:
Are you just going to be responsible for the data storage or backups and restores?

You could offer tiered services based on your involvement.

I store my backups, a copy of my friends and some family's backups in my fireproof safe and they do the same for me. Gives me a warm fuzzy if nothing else. I also periodically test my backups. I make sure my friends and family know they must do the same or backups mean nothing.

[OvRiDe]

I also periodically test my backups. I make sure my friends and family know they must do the same or backups mean nothing.

Can I get an AMEN!!

I don't know how many times I have had a tape brought to me that was so overused that it was almost clear, and have them ask me if I can fix it after the fact.

[DrkSide]

Airbozo

I will be responsible for everything for most of the people that use it. I cater to small companies that have no IT staff, therefore I am it.

Testing the backups is a must. A backup doesn't do any good unless it can be used. OvRiDe, I hated when I worked for a company that used tapes as a backup. It was a pain just getting the people to change them out since I was normally not in the office. Luckily I never had to do a restore from them.

[Airbozo]

Airbozo

I will be responsible for everything for most of the people that use it. I cater to small companies that have no IT staff, therefore I am it.

Testing the backups is a must. A backup doesn't do any good unless it can be used. OvRiDe, I hated when I worked for a company that used tapes as a backup. It was a pain just getting the people to change them out since I was normally not in the office. Luckily I never had to do a restore from them.

I have run dozens of tape robot units from 8 tapes to 8000 tapes... If maintained properly, restoring is easy. The best practice has always been to use tape as offline and near online storage with disk as online backup. With the price of disks it is now not uncommon for small companies to use disks in place of tapes. Tapes are far more durable though and anything important I still keep tape backups. Not many though. The company I work for still sells tons of new robot units to medium and large companies.

[dr.walrus]

I think providing a realistic, cheap answer to this relies on a few factors:

1. Criticality of data
2. Speed opf restoration
3. Do you need to be on-site to restore
4. Disaster management - what exactly are you agreeing to protect against?
5. Quantity of data
6. Regularity of backup needed (Business DB - very regular; File server - not quite so regular)

Fill in those blanks and we can give you a better answer.

[DrkSide]

1. Data is from Critical to not - Anything from SQL Databases that change hourly to file servers (most of my customers have one server as an application server that utilizes databases for the applications and for everything else. No exchange servers yet but I want to be able to back them up.)

2. Speed is Dependant upon the restore. I will backup locally to a external drive as well as two offsite locations. Local restores will be fast but online restores for a large amount of data will not. Possibly a solutions that lets you load an offsite backup onto a external and transport it to the customer site. Keep in mind this will only be offered to customers that are local.

3.No, this can be done either through the backup software or via a remote session (normally I use logmein but I also have instanthousecall)

4. Agreeing to protect against data loss except for events that are out of my control eg. tornado, flood, earthquake. Basically protecting against hardware failure and file corruption.

5. Quantity of data will vary between customers - some have only one or two workstations and some have servers. The most will probably be 100-150GB in size.

6. I would like to have all backups done daily, and also a weekly set (or possibly monthly). Space is cheap compared to data loss.


I have talked with a friend who has a development company that I used to work for. They have just upgraded their blade server and have room if I want to use it for the backup server. They are also getting a second location in Tulsa at the first of February. The only problem with that is I won't have access to the physical machines. I would rather keep the backup server on my equipment, but I am still talking with him on prices.

Maybe that will give you a better idea.

I started the LogmeIn backup trial and put it on a remote server. Started a backup and it is running very slow. I am only getting about 40KB/s transfer right now. I think this is due to the software nature of the connection and I was afraid that it would be slow. I may have to invest in some VPN equipment.

[OvRiDe]

Tape is still king in the backup world, but not always the most affordable for the small business.

The big problem with services like Logmein or any of the cloud service backups is your at the mercy of your clients internet connection. They may have fast internet, but if they are using it.. it will kill your upload. It may speed up later in the evening when their traffic dies out. A VPN solution may not gain you anything.

You might check out Crashplan as well, because it will allow you to do a local backup, a remote backup, and a cloud backup at the same time. At least then you'll have all your bases covered.


They are also getting a second location in Tulsa at the first of February.

Huh wha... Tulsa! I'm in Tulsa! :D

[DrkSide]

OvRiDe - I am in Fayetteville about 2 hours east of you. There is a data center in Tulsa that they are putting a second blade rack and second san just for redundancy of the first one. I can't remember the name.

I have given up for the moment my brain is fried from looking at all the options today and thinking about beginning to test them. Plus steam just finished downloading need for speed hot pursuit that I picked up for $30 today.

[OvRiDe]

Sounds like the perfect diversion! Enjoy

I would be curious about which DC they are in, I have a Dell 2850 thats looking for a home.

[DrkSide]

OvRiDe, I want to say it is TulsaConnect but I am not sure. I know that he will pay an arm and a leg for it. He does custom software for walmart vendors and sells alot of it.

[OvRiDe]

Yep, I am familiar with TulsaConnect, and yep.. they are expensive! I have heard really good things about them, but they are out of my price range.

[simon275]

Carbonite Pro

http://www.carbonite.com/business/default

Has an admin panel, users can restore themselves and you can create accounts, they do full on backup and the backend.

Also Iron Mountain are big and well known and are used by basically most Fortune 500 Companies for their range of services. http://backup.ironmountain.com/

[ADIE]

Hello DrkSide,

Why do not you use the latest features of Druva inSync v4 (http://www.druva.com/download/insync/laptop-backup).

Its simple, easy to install and you can try it for free for a complete month in production environment with its complete set of features.

Cheers,
~ADIE