How to set up an external USB hard drive to backup a storage server in Windows Server 2008 R2
When it comes to personal data storage, you should perform regular data backups to ensure the safety of your files. But in the case of business or organizational data storage, backing up files is mission critical and could prevent costly workforce downtime or company data loss. Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 is a network storage platform for small businesses or enterprise organizations with ideal data backup capabilities. The platform is built on the flexible Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system and fully integrates into business network workflows. In this tutorial, we will walk you step-by-step through the process of configuring a scheduled data backup of your business or organization's files using the software that is included with Windows Storage Server R2.
Initial Setup
1. The first step is to turn on the Windows Storage Server and connect the desired external hard drive to the back of the unit via USB.
2. Next, wait for the disk to mount on the Windows Storage Server.
3. Following this, you should open Windows Server Backup by clicking on Start - Administrative Tools - Windows Server Backup. Wait for the Snap-ins to load before proceeding to the next step.
Scheduling Your Data Backup
4. Click on "Backup Schedule" in the right frame and you will see the "Backup Schedule Wizard". Read the information that's presented on the screen to decide what kind of scheduled data backup you wish to have. Then, click "Next".
Select Data Backup Configuration
5.Select "Custom" on the "Select Backup Configuration" screen and then click "Next".
In this next step, you will be selecting which items you want to backup. Be sure to include all items that are important to your business or organization.
6. Click on "Add Items" to select the specific volumes you wish to back up.
Select Disk
7. Select the disk and the kind of backup you wish to have. "Bare metal recovery" will save the "System
State" and the "Local Disk." You may also choose to backup all or just one of the Disks listed. When you have finished selecting the items you wish to include in the scheduled data backup, click "OK". Then click "Next".
Specify Time of Data Backup
8. Specify the backup time of your choosing. Select the desired time from the drop down list. If you chose "More than once a day," be sure to click on the desired time and then click the "Add" button to add the time to the backup schedule and "Remove" if you wish to remove the time from the backup schedule.
In these next steps, you'll go through choosing the destination type of your backup storage. Keep in mind that it is recommended to store your backup on a hard disk that is solely dedicated as a backup volume. Choosing this destination type will increase the reliability of your data backup.
9. Specify destination type. You may chose to either have your backups stored on a dedicated drive, a volume on the Windows Storage Server or on a shared network folder.
10. Click on "Yes" to confirm that you would like to keep the existing backups on the disk and then click "Next".
11. Lastly, confirm that you are creating a backup schedule and click "Finish".
Once this step is completed, the platform may take a moment to put in place all of these configuration options. Be patient as your data backup schedule and options are saved.
12. The status should show "Creating backup schedule…" and you should see a completed status message when the software has finished the scheduled backup. The platform will confirm that you have completed the scheduled backup process successfully. Click "Close" to finish the process. You should then be taken back to the main screen of the Windows Server Backup module.
Once this process is complete, you will have successfully created a scheduled data backup of your storage server. A complete backup of your files will be available even if your primary storage hardware has failed. For this backup process, it is recommended that you use a USB hard drive from a trusted manufacturer for your backup storage device. These drives are less likely to fail, come with extended warranties and are available in multiple storage sizes and configurations. In conclusion, although setting up this scheduled backup takes some configuring, the consequences of not setting up a backup could be extensive. Thus, it is highly recommended to go through this process in order to ensure the safety of your business or organization's files.
Initial Setup
1. The first step is to turn on the Windows Storage Server and connect the desired external hard drive to the back of the unit via USB.
2. Next, wait for the disk to mount on the Windows Storage Server.
3. Following this, you should open Windows Server Backup by clicking on Start - Administrative Tools - Windows Server Backup. Wait for the Snap-ins to load before proceeding to the next step.
Scheduling Your Data Backup
4. Click on "Backup Schedule" in the right frame and you will see the "Backup Schedule Wizard". Read the information that's presented on the screen to decide what kind of scheduled data backup you wish to have. Then, click "Next".
Select Data Backup Configuration
5.Select "Custom" on the "Select Backup Configuration" screen and then click "Next".
In this next step, you will be selecting which items you want to backup. Be sure to include all items that are important to your business or organization.
6. Click on "Add Items" to select the specific volumes you wish to back up.
Select Disk
7. Select the disk and the kind of backup you wish to have. "Bare metal recovery" will save the "System
State" and the "Local Disk." You may also choose to backup all or just one of the Disks listed. When you have finished selecting the items you wish to include in the scheduled data backup, click "OK". Then click "Next".
Specify Time of Data Backup
8. Specify the backup time of your choosing. Select the desired time from the drop down list. If you chose "More than once a day," be sure to click on the desired time and then click the "Add" button to add the time to the backup schedule and "Remove" if you wish to remove the time from the backup schedule.
In these next steps, you'll go through choosing the destination type of your backup storage. Keep in mind that it is recommended to store your backup on a hard disk that is solely dedicated as a backup volume. Choosing this destination type will increase the reliability of your data backup.
9. Specify destination type. You may chose to either have your backups stored on a dedicated drive, a volume on the Windows Storage Server or on a shared network folder.
10. Click on "Yes" to confirm that you would like to keep the existing backups on the disk and then click "Next".
11. Lastly, confirm that you are creating a backup schedule and click "Finish".
Once this step is completed, the platform may take a moment to put in place all of these configuration options. Be patient as your data backup schedule and options are saved.
12. The status should show "Creating backup schedule…" and you should see a completed status message when the software has finished the scheduled backup. The platform will confirm that you have completed the scheduled backup process successfully. Click "Close" to finish the process. You should then be taken back to the main screen of the Windows Server Backup module.
Once this process is complete, you will have successfully created a scheduled data backup of your storage server. A complete backup of your files will be available even if your primary storage hardware has failed. For this backup process, it is recommended that you use a USB hard drive from a trusted manufacturer for your backup storage device. These drives are less likely to fail, come with extended warranties and are available in multiple storage sizes and configurations. In conclusion, although setting up this scheduled backup takes some configuring, the consequences of not setting up a backup could be extensive. Thus, it is highly recommended to go through this process in order to ensure the safety of your business or organization's files.
Source...