Good ghost / image software(?)

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nzsouthernman

44 posts

Geek

#163389 9-Sep-2008 22:43

Depending on the model of server (like an HP ML350G5) the iLO that comes with it supports ISO/connect to local CD/connect to local floppy out-of-the-box. If you need to boot the SP cd when you're remote ensure that you've got an updated ISO of it onsite on something you can get to to remotely via RDP other than the dead server, then hit the iLO IP from that machine's web browser and you're away laughing. We usually ensure that there's at least one spare accessible machine on each site we manage remotely that is capable of being RDP'd into just for this kind of occassion. FWIW ShadowProtect rocks. It'll rock more when they can deal to the 'restore to a smaller disk' hiccup. I just wish you could image & restore a Citrix server that's had its drives remapped...

exportgoldman

1202 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#163397 9-Sep-2008 22:55

I've been R&D'ing ShadowProtect / Acronis and found the following issues I'm working through

Things I hate

ShadowProtect
1. Can't restore to smaller Hard Drives, so not very good for imaging desktop PC's etc. (you can't always assume new PC = bigger HD)
2. E-Mail notifications are very spammy, no option for end of day backup summary.
3. Doesn't have built in eject option for removable hard drive cartridges, have to use DOS script/RSM eject command and look up friendly or GUID name of drive.
4. Incrementical backups can end up getting very complex
5. Can't do drive to drive imaging, so cannot use as a full imaging solution (have to use GHOST as well)

Acronis (SBS Edition)
1. Restore to a virtual machine using their ISO Boot disk takes a long long time (10 hours / 8GB) only solution Acronis offers is to build your own BardPE and install their extention. ShadowProtect does the heavy lifting and makes a BardPE CDROM for you that you can just download from their web site.
2. Still have not successfully done a dis-similar hardware restore. ShadowProtect is really good in this regard.
3. Installer is too complex, has 4 different things to install, reminds me how BackupExec ended up - too complex and buggy.
4. BootCD doesn't browse Windows Server 2003/Vista Shares
5. BootCD doesn't seem to work with FTP.

Things I like

ShadowProtect
Simple, not much to learn. Clean interface, free 30 day trial, no crap before downloading from website.
BootCD is based on XP/Vista and have DOS command prompt, Windows networking etc.

Acronis
Does drive to drive imaging, seems to have a lot of features.
Logging is 'cleaner' than ShadowProtect, easier to read.

Tyler - Parnell Geek - iPhone 3G - Lenovo X301 - Kaseya - Great Western Steak House, these are some of my favourite things.

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek

#163999 12-Sep-2008 14:25

Take a look at this:

DriveImage-XML
http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

I've found it super handy. I can do a live partition backup directly to another drive. It restores quick too. I've only used it's basic drive backup and restore so far, but it looks to be pretty powerfull.

Plus, it's FREE for home use!

--
Craig.

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