This solution also delivers backup and restore and, unlike the previous solution, is designed with the smaller workgroup environment in mind. With the initial installation setting up a server, it also provides a centralized repository. In addition Lockstep advise an optional mirror backup off-site to ensure a complete recovery is possible of all corporate data.
You will need a Windows environment to install your Backup Server on (95, 98, Me, NT, XP or 2000), with 10Mb and, of course, enough space for all your required backup files. Take into account you will be compressing data and you should be able to work out the required capacity, but it is always better to overestimate. Client machines also run on Windows 95, 98, Me, XP or 2000 and need 10Mb of space for the software. Once installed, the solution delivers the means to restore selected files and those that have been deleted. You can roll back settings to those last backed up if a problem occurs, and also implement the full disaster recovery option if things go wrong.
Backing up on disk is convenient and fast. There is little impact on resources, an important consideration for many companies. The actual client software installation does require manual implementation, and this may be time consuming, although we are talking about a solution specifically designed for the small to medium enterprise.
Once installed on each workstation and laptop, the administrator will have all the data and settings for future restoration of a computer, and each subsequent backup will only include changes to the original backup information. Reports can then show backup status, how many files were scanned and backed up, with their size, etc. To be protected the user can opt for automated backup, but can also manually protect data that is important and which has not yet been backed up.
The documentation, refreshingly, comes in ring-binder paper format and is easy to follow and understand. We liked this SME solution, which allowed users to protect work between automatic and scheduled backups, and the ease with which it could be implemented into the smaller environment.
