What is the best backup configuration for a home lab?

Depends on your budget and complexity requirements. Offsite? Redundant? Free or paid? You also don't need a product to backup VM's and you can script this as well. Some good products that are free for a couple VM's are Veeam and Unitrends.

Hi there,
I am currently making a home lab environment to learn Microsoft technologies (at present), I wish to create a file server to store evaluation software, documentation and personal data. I currently use a total of 100GB of hard disk space for all this data...
How often do you recommend me backing up this data using Windows Server 2012 R2?
I also plan on implementing Volume Shadow Copy in the near future...
This topic first appeared in the Spiceworks Community

Similar Messages

What is the best RAID configuration for a MacPro as a Logic User?

There ought to be a universal answer to this question: what is the best RAID configuration for Logic Mac Pro users? I will be more specific.
I use Logic Studio, Reason, Ableton, and Motu Symphonic Instrument simultaneously.
I want to fail safe my precious audio files and improve performance as the system reads/writes data from multiple files, from audio tracks to digital samples.
I want to run video files simultaneously to do nifty audio soundtracking to video.
Here is the configuration I have in mind.
HD 1: OS and Logic Studio, Reason/Ableton samples etc. software (non-raid) (250 GB)
HD 2/3: MIrrored RAID set for AUDIO FILES (500 Gb identical pair)
HD 4: Video files / Bouncing (1 TB)
Makes sense right? A disk for reading software. A pair of 500 GB disks for reading/writing audio files and sessions in mirrored array. A 1 TB disk for video and bouncing. The main question I have is, for audio files only, is striped or mirrored better? 64K blocks the best? And are there any more details. I assume to do this in Disk Utility.

Well, both Mirrored and Striped have their pros and cons. If you use mirrored, it will offer no better performance than the spec'ed drive along with it's sata bus speed. The plus point is, if one drive goes down, you have the second as a backup as the complete contents of one drive are mirrored on the other.
With striped you will get a performance boost because all files (for example a single project) will get written across both drives and hence split the load on the drives and the SATA busses. The drawback is that you'll have to make sure you have a good, regular backup schedule in place because when one of the drives goes to drive heaven, you're going to be stuffed without a full backup of both drives.
Exactly what performance boost you'd get will depend on your project, number of files, size of files, fragmentation of files, track count etc. You may find it would be easier to use the 3 drives straight, with no raid and have:
HD 1: OS and Apps. No samples at all.
HD2: Audio Files for Logic projects
HD3: Reason, Ableton, Logic etc instrument sample library
HD4: Video and bouncing.
Which is what I ended up doing although I use HD4 as an interchangeable backup for HD1 and 2.
There is no universal answer to this as each must make their own choice based on their preferences and needs. Mirrored will give you full backup but on-site, in machine backup. Not much good if something untoward and drastic happens to the physical machine. I think a few people toy with striped RAID but fall on the side of using the drives straight, as in their projects they don't see a big enough gain over splitting the data across your 3 remaining drives without RAID. Studios that seriously consider raid often go out and get a dedicated raid that can offer more variations than raid 0 or raid 1 (Striped and Mirrored) and better throughput.
I hope this helps a little and not just added to the dilemma.

What is the best system configuration for a video editing telecast quality using Adobe PRemier pro

We need an editing suite for telecast quality for our church.
What is the best system configuration please?
What are all the requirements to set it up ?

Buy a Desktop Video Editing PC http://www.adkvideoediting.com/
Build a Desktop Video Editing PC
-http://ppbm7.com/index.php/tweakers-page
-3 price level ideas in http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith/ADOBE.HTM
-what PC to build http://forums.adobe.com/thread/947698
-2 how to build videos http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1104182
-another video http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1145366
-another video http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1132363
-planning & Building http://ppbm7.com/index.php/intro-part-1
-memory for LGA2011 http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1098759
-an Adobe FAQ http://forums.adobe.com/thread/878520
-http://www.shawnlam.ca/2012/premiere-pro-cs6-video-editing-computer-build/
-http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+DIY9+Its+Time+for+Sandy+Bridge
+E/0xe9b142f408a2b03ab88144a434e88de7.aspx
-several more links http://forums.adobe.com/thread/815798
-build tuning http://ppbm7.com/index.php/final-results

What is the best backup plan for Archive Databases in Exchange 2013?

Hi,
We have Exchange 2013 with Hybrid setup with O365.
We have On premise exchange 2013 servers with 3 copies of primary Database & Single Copy of Archival DBs.
Now we have to frame backup policy with Symantec Backup Exec which has to backup our primary & Archival DBs
In 2007 exchange, before migration to 2013, we had policy of DBs - Weekly Full backup & Monthly Full Backup
Please suggest what would be the best possible backup strategy we can follow with 2013 DBs.
That too, especially for Archiving DBs
Our Archiving Policy are - 3 category - Any emails older than 6 month OR 1 Year OR 2 Year should go to Archive mailbox.
Keeping this in mind how to design the backup policy ?
Manju Gowda

Hi Manju,
you do not find best practice different from the common backup guidelines, as there is no archive db specific behaviour. Your users may move items to their archive at any time as well as your retention policies may move items that machted the retention policies
at any time. The result is frequently changing content to both, mailbox and archive mailbox databases, so you need to backup both the same way. You also may handle archives together with mailboxes together in the mailbox db
Please keep in mind that backup usually means data availability in case of system failure. So you may consider to do a less frequent backup with your archive db with dependency to the "keep deleted items" (/mailboxes) setting on your mailbox database.
Example:
keep deleted items: 30 days
backup of archive db: every 14 days
restore procedure:
* restore archive DB content
* add difference from recover deleted items (or Backup Exec single item recovery) for the missing 14 days.
So it depends more on your process than on a backup principle.
Regards,
Martin

What is the best battery configuration for lenovo 420s

I read on the lenovo website that you can get up to 9 hours on the thinkpad 420s and I was wondering if anyone knew the battery configuration to achieve this setting? So far I only get up to 3 hours maximum IF I have it on very low performance. I usually keep it on maximum performance when it's plugged in. Anyone have any ideas?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I would imagine that would be achieved using a 9-cell battery plus the supplementary battery that can replace the optical drive in the Ultrabay slot. http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?...

HT4664 What is the best graphics card for FCPX?

In the nonstop anti-FCPX propaganda is an article of interest — posted 7/9/12 — comparing the benchmarks of FCPX and PP6.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/Producer/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=83582 &PageNum=1
The system used was a 2 x 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Mac Pro from early 2009 running MacOS X version 10.7.4 with 12 GB of RAM and an NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 graphics card with 1.5 GB of onboard RAM.
In most cases PP6 outperformed FCPX with this configuration. However, in the comments Ben Balser pointed out that FCP X's A/VFoundation engine wasn't ideal on the NVIDA card:
"Quadro is actually not the best card for FCP X's A/VFoundation engine, but great for CS6's Mercury engine, so the test is amazingly flawed right there. Try both on a 5780 card and watch things drastically change. I've done that test myself. Exporting to Compressor uses a MUCH more sophisticated encoding engine meant for higher level, professional transcoding, not simple outputs, which are faster using Export Media…"
Apple lists this card on its support page: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664
So,
What is the best graphics card for FCPX?

Ben,
Thanks for chiming in on that article. It would be good to have a benchmark comparison with the two systems each with a preferred card.
I'm hoping to see some other comparisons on this thread. Also, some links to other articles about best practices and configurations.

What is the best option today for an external DVD Drive self powered

I am planning to remove the internal DVD-ROM and use the MCE OptiBay to install a second SSD in RAID 0 configuration, what is the best option today for an external DV-ROM, ideally self powered via USB or Firewire ?, thanks

can't say I agree with the RAID 0, if that messes up or one drive dies, you lose it all. Not to mention, The SSDs made like that aren't made for RAIDs...
The ones that can are really expensive, high end stuff.
http://addonics.com/products/externalcd/pocketusib.asp
http://addonics.com/products/externalcd/pocketii.asp

What's the best graphic card for FCP X and a Mac Pro (early) 2008?

I have a Radeon HD 3870 in my Mac Pro, it seems that I cannot use this configuration with Final Cut Pro X. Then what's the best graphic card for FCP X usable in a Mac Pro (early) 2008?
Thx,
Phil

You can get a 5770 radeon ATI MAC card
Avoid the 5770 cards on ebay and Amazon - many are black market or manipulated cards.
Buy it from Apple online store or B&H photo or Macconection
And in my case, I was able to sell my old 2600 XT card on ebay for $65 and put that money toward a 5770 card (Which was about $230 minus the $65)
I installed the 5770 in my early Mac Pro 2 x 2.8 and it works great

What is the best leaked OS for Z10 and why??!

What is the best system update for the BlackBerry z10 in terms of battery and use of the device?>>> "leaked ones"
Please advise me please ^ ^ Thank you??

Hello AZUZJUMA.
Amigo is depends on the taste of each person acuerdate each OS works differently on each device, but in my case I recommend the OS 10.1.0.4543 is one that has been more fluid and has been much better in performance ...
I'll leave the link for you to download if you like.
http://crackberry.com/leaked-os-10104537-blackberry-z10
Regards.
Kudos **Do not forget to give those people who help and advise you regarding your questions, as well give the answer like**
@ gutijose14
BBM Channels PIN: C0007093A
Do not forget to give LIKE Those people who help you and advise you about your doubts. if the review has been SOLVED** # 4LL #ÉliteRoad Make a backup of your BlackBerry
BlackBerry Protect and BlackBerry Link constantly. #ichooseBlackBerry10 Gutijose14 Forums Veteran I

What is the Best Safari Version for OS 10.9.5 Maverick on a MacBookPro, 2.4Ghz, 8 GB Mem.?

What is the best Safari Version for OS 19.9.5 Maverick on a MacBook Pro. 2.4 Ghz, with 8 gb memory?

The best version for Mavericks, in fact the only version, is an integral part of OS X. In other words you already have it.
Its version number is 7.1.5.
Keep OS X up to date: Update OS X and App Store apps on your Mac - Apple Support

I am a new mac user and I switch to mac due to the graphics that it brings. I do website in pc and I heard iweb is the best.NOW i heard that iweb will be discontinue. so what is the best application there for website using MAC OSX lion?

I am a new mac user and I switch to mac due to the graphics that it brings. I do website in pc and I heard iweb is the best.NOW i heard that iweb will be discontinue. so what is the best application there for website using MAC OSX lion?

It is now confirmed that iWeb, and iDVD, has been discontinued by Apple. This is evidenced by the fact that new Macs are shipping with iLife 11 installed but without iWeb and iDVD.
On June 30, 2012 MobileMe will be shutdown. However, iWeb will still continue to work but without the following:
Features No Longer Available Once MobileMe is Discontinued:
◼ Password protection
◼ Blog and photo comments
◼ Blog search
◼ Hit counter
◼ MobileMe Gallery
All of these features can be replaced with 3rd party options.
I found that if I published my site to a folder on my hard drive and then uploaded with a 3rd party FTP client subscriptions to slideshows and the RSS feed were broken. If I published directly from iWeb to the FPT server those two features continued to work correctly.
There's another problem and that's with iWeb's popup slideshows. Once the MMe servers are no longer online the popup slideshow buttons will not display their images.
Click to view full size
However, Roddy McKay and I have figured out a way to modify existing sites with those slideshows and iWeb itself so that those images will display as expected once MobileMe servers are gone. How to is described in this tutorial: #26 - How to Modify iWeb So Popup Slideshows Will Work After MobileMe is Discontinued.
It now appears that the iLife suite of applications offered on disc is now a discontinued product and the remaining supported iApps will only be available thru the App Store from now on. However, the iLife 11 boxed version that is still available at the online Apple Store (Store button at the top of the page) and those still on the shelves of retailers will include iWeb and iDVD. Those two apps were listed in small, gray text on the iLife 11 box that I bought.
Personally, if I didn't already have a copy I would purchase one to have it for reinstallation purposes if ever needed.
This might be of some interest to you at this time: Life After MobileMe.
OT

HT1338 What is the best online storage for photos. Specifically one that allows the original image quality to be downloaded should your hard storage goes belly up

What is the best online storage for photos. Specifically one that allows the original image quality to be downloaded should your hard storage goes belly up

I'd put them on an external hard drive(s) and burn them to a DVD as well (at least 2 - 3 copies on different drives/media); I prefer having control and a local solution instead of relying on a server and the possibility of someone (who shouldn't be) downloading my work.

What is the best Compressor setting for best quality video playback on an iBook g4?

I know the iBook and G4's in general are very outdated today, but I need to ask anyways. I have some video projects in 720p and 1080p in which I have down converted to 480p and also exported to MPEG-2 for DVD (personal wedding videos and videos made for my clients using Final Cut Studio). Anything encoded at most resolutions using h264 won't play on my iBook. Even 480p.
I have about 20 hours of mixed video content that I need it in a format that is suitable for an iPhone 4 and an iBook 12" with a 1.2GHz G4, 1.25GB RAM and I added a 250 WD 5400 IDE hard disk (running 10.5.8 and 10.4.11 for Classic Mode). I know the iBook doesn't seem like the best tool for modern video playback, but I need to figure out which setting will play best with iPhone 4 and iBook so I don't need to make 2 local copies of each video for each device.
The iBook plays best with the original DVD output MPEG-2 file and playing back in QT Pro or VLC... but I already have 180 GB's of MPEG-2 files now and my little HD is almost full. I don't have enough room to convert all the iPhone 4 counterparts. If I use Compressor 3.5.3, what is the optimal setting for iBook and iPhone .m4v or .mp4 files that can play on both devices? So far 720x400-480 widescreen videos @ 29fps works great on my iPhone, Apple TV 2, and other computers but seems to murder my poor iBook if encoded with high profile (and still choppy on simple profiles). 640x480 (adding black matte bars to my videos) plays fine in MPEG-2 but drops frames or goes to black screen if I convert it to mp4 (and looks bad on the iPhone 4 because of the matte). But if I convert on any of the simple profiles, it looks terrible on my iPhone 4 and a blocky on the iBook.
This is the problem leading me to having 2 copies of each video and eating my hard disk space. What is the best video setting for both playback on the iBook and iPhone 4? Can the iBook playback H264 at all in decent resolutionsat all? I don't really want to have a 480p .m4v collection for the iPhone 4 and a MPEG-2 RAW collection just to play the same videos on the iBook.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Update: The iBook can play any 480p video and higher if I encode them with DivX and in AVI format. But of course this is not compatible with my iPhone 4. At least I can shrink my library now and get away from the full MPEG-2s. I don't get why I can't use Apple's h264 though. There has to be a setting I am missing. The sample Apple h264 videos from the days of Tiger worked flawlessly on my iBook when it was new so the CPU must be capable of decoding it. I really can't understand this.
Also, since I made my videos in English for my family, I had to create soft subtitles for my wife's Chinese family, and I can't get players like QT with perian or MPlayerX to sync them properly to an AVI encoded with DivX, they only sync well with the iPhone 4 m4v/mp4 formatted files I made. This is a real pickle.
So now I may need three or four copies of each video, LOL. I need to hardcode the subtitles if I want to use AVI to playback on older machines, and keep the mp4 file for the iDevices too, while keeping higher quality h264 videos for my American relatives...
If h264 is compatible with my iBook, what is the proper encoding settings? Must I dramatically lower the settings or frame rate? I can settle on 2 copies of each video that way. One iBook/G4/eMac compatible video that syncs correctly with my srt soft subs, and another version that works well with my iPhone 4 and iPad.
All in all, I will end up with more than 3 or 4 version of each video. On my late G5 dual core I have the full 720-1080p uncompressed master files. On my i5 iMac I have the h264 compressed versions for distribution, and lower versions for my iDevices. Now I need to keep either full MPEG-2 files for the iBook to play, or convert to older formats like DivX AVI for our family's legacy machines. I am running out of hard disk space quick now, LOL.
Is there an easier way?

What is the best backup drive to use to backup a windows xp pc and to transfer that data to a new iMac i5 May 2011 and then to backup my iMac on it?

What is the best backup drive to use to backup my windows xp pc and to transfer these files to my iMac i5 new in May 2011 and then to backup my i5 iMac?

Get something with both USB and Firewire connections, as big as you can afford. Format it Fat 32, plug it into the XP machine with USB, drag and drop the files you want to keep, plug it into the iMac with Firewire, drag and drop again. If you want to use it just to back up your Mac in future, reformat it Mac OS Extended and enable Time Machine. If you're likely to want to share the drive with Windows PCs in future, leave it Fat 32.

What are the best plug ins for iMovie 11 running on Lion?

What are the best plug ins for Imovie 11 or Imovie HD running Lion? Especially transitions & effects for still pictures.
Thank you

Hi
For iMovie'08 to 11 - There are no Plug-ins - not supported at all
iMovie HD (in reality HD5) - doesn't work under Mac OS X.7 - at all
iMovie HD6 - can take Plug-ins and run under Mac OS X.7 - BUT some of the Plug-ins doesn't work under X.7
old list on - Plug-ins - Only relevant to iMovie HD6 (May be they are too old)
Stupendous software
www.stupendous-software.com
GeeThree
www.geethree.com
cf/x.
www.imovieplugins.com
Apple
www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/ezediapluginsforimovievol1.html
www.imovieplugins.com/fxhome.html
fxStabilizer - for iMovie - Google it
Yours Bengt W

What is the best backup configuration for a home lab?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for