Backing up file on network workstations

The easiest thing to do is set up a batch job on your server, kicked off by the scheduler, which attaches the disk on a workstation, copies the files or directories it wants to a directory on the server, then disconnects the workstation, and moves on to the next. The NET USE command maps the drive, NET USE /DELETE releases it.

PROS - you do not need to keep drives mapped all of the time. Users do not need to copy files.

CONS - users need to leave computers on during the critical period. Server needs to know which areas/files to copy. Server needs rights to user systems.

Alternate solution:
Each user has a network folder, which is automatically backed up. User is responsible for putting important stuff in the folder.

PROS - simple, no rights needed, user can turn off machine.

CONS - the obvious -- user does not remember to copy files.

Other backup software, most of it expensive, may have a client agent on each workstation to trigger a backup (Legato, Archive and others). The user stations still need to be turned on.

Good luck.

If the files all reside in the same folder on each workstation (and your users are logging in to a domain!), try putting a copy command in the login script which copies the files from the workstation to the server. THen include the server folder(s)in your usual backup process. This process is then transparent to your users.

Windows 9x agents, are free in Veritas Backup Exec. You can install it, and them make a "job" for each station (or group of stations).You can schedule it. Remember "append to the media" and not "Overwrite the media"

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