Backup Server

[Toms88]

Hi. Just after some advice on storage and backup solutions for my home network. I currently have 3 physical servers (1 DC etc, 1 Web Server, 1 Backup Server). Also on the network is one desktop and a laptop. I also have a few remote machines in other locations (il get back to this later)

The backup server is currently just a 2008R2 install on a desktop machine with a small 60gb disk for the OS. I want to make this the backup box for my entire home network which currently consists of about 5tb of data, although this will probably increase to about 8tb in total. What drives would you recommend for backing up this data, and what RAID configuration would work best? As this is just a personal project at the moment i don't want to spend fortunes if possible!

With regards to the remote machines, does anyone know of any free software that allows backups to a remote server (ie my backup server) they would recommend?

Cheers!

 

[unleashed]

Have you looked at server 2012 essentials. Should do just about everything you need including backup of remote client using the pre-configured VPN connection.

 

[Imy]

Microsoft SyncToy is pretty good for free. You can also automate it via Scheduled Tasks.

I use RAID0 personally on both ends (source and backup) for simple volume management and for cost savings as no space is wasted. For drives, I have a mixture but recently got 5 of the Seagate 3TB (1TB/platter) drives and they seem to be running well so far.