Backing up data is, of course, not a fantastic piece of dual-core chips Intel to install on the computer at the same time, Mac OS X and Windows XP, but the systematic creation of backups helps avoid other kinds of shocks (such is not pleasant). Professional administrators for the purpose of using the software OEM vendors, Microsoft and independent developers, in the boundless range which itself features a leg break, but for most small and medium-sized companies programme archiving and data recovery, the built-in Windows, would be sufficient. Main - to understand the advantages and disadvantages of Windows Backup. Prudent use of this utility avoids the fate of unpleasant surprises and shocks.

Proved time, or even over the purchase of IBM's nobody sacked…
No IT specialist in sound mind does not want to explain to the client or the director about the failed recovery or backup. In the world of information technology data loss - a grave sin, so it is wise to use a reliable backup software. There is a saying: "For the purchase of IBM's nobody even sacked." We can say, and in a different way: a single system administrator to a small or medium companies for the use of these funds for archiving Microsoft has not yet been fired.

Master settings - friend IT specialist
You can, of course, work in advanced mode (Advanced mode, Fig. A), but the wizard configuration easier challenges at the same time, ensure that nothing is wasted. Let's look the truth: when the ear is constantly ringing phone, and while you are loading a package of updates, installing a patch on the system, and setting parameters for backup overlook some important indicator setup is simple.

The first thing Master Backup and recovery (Backup Or Restore Wizard) invites the user to select one of the options - or restore backups of files and settings. The former item, the user must specify which data are subject to backup. Of course, this may be as folders and files on the local computer or network to other computers. Once the necessary data selected, you must specify the vehicle for the storage of archival data. I once met a couple of customers who maintain data on the same hard disk, in the belief that this is the second disc (as a hard disk was divided into sections, and each of them have been assigned different label). Backup data is best stored in a safe place where they are not threatened by the fire, smoke, flood - what little there still might happen attack in the central office. The next phase will offer Master archive file name. Then you will see a window conclusion of the Masters with general information on the parameters archiving (Fig. C), but in reality, this is not the end.

Click "More" (Advanced) to specify the type of archiving:
• Normal (Normal) - creates a backup of all files and checks each of the copied files.
• Kopiruyuschy (Copy) - creates a backup file, but not mark them as copied.
• Extension (Incremental) - creates a backup of those files that have been created or changed since the last archiving, and mark them as copied.
• Raznostny (Differential) - creates a backup copy only those files that have been created since the last archiving, but unlike Dobavochnogo archiving, not mark them as copied.
• Daily (Daily) creates a backup copy only those files that have been changed on the day archiving (without altering bits archive files).

After specifying the type of archiving Master offers two options - "Check after data archiving" (Verify Data After Backup), and "do not create an exact copy of volume" (Disable Volume Shadow Copy). The third option - "Use hardware compression, if possible" (Use Hardware Compression If Available) - available only if I have the equipment. Noting the desired options, select, how will this be copied data - through its SQL data to the already existing media or by replacing the existing data, and do not forget to write the time and archiving name (that name archiving operation itself, and not to file archives. BKF, which will be created as a result of archiving). After that, you need to specify the name of a user account with the right to exercise archiving, and enter a password.
Before quit Wizard, click "Ask a timetable" (Set Schedule), and specify the tab "Calendar" (Schedule), when and how often will be implemented danyh backup. From the "Options" (Settings) can change the advanced settings - for example, for how long the program should perform archival copy and whether copying continue if the system is moving towards Battery.

When you create a backup, keep in mind the file names and labels
When configuring parameters backup to the master archiving and restoring a user points archival tag - the name archiving operations. In fact, as soon have to specify two names: archival label (the name of tasks) and the name of the archive file. BKF (name of the backup). They are very easy to, in addition, Windows Backup utility remembers recently used names and lists them by default. As a result, when entering a new archiving parameters there is a danger of inadvertently delete an existing operation and replace it with a new one. Therefore, before clicking on the button "Finish", make sure that you do not mistakenly delete the previous copy of the data or operation has been planned for archiving.

Important: advanced
In advanced settings dialog (Advanced Options), which can cause a click of the "More" (Advanced) in on the conclusion of the Masters archiving and recovery (see fig. C), the user can specify a number of important parameters. In addition to choosing the type of archiving, as has been described above, there can indicate whether a new backup or recorded over the older dopisyvatsya thereto, and whether archiving exercised regularly.

Not uslozhnyayte timetable and the type of archiving
Nevertheless, some organizations need daily backup of data. In such a case, I would recommend to customize Windows Backup Normal daily archiving. In doing so, save a few backups (at least one-week-old or older), and update them periodically. Thus, even if a user inadvertently deletes Monday to file a client and the problem found only on Friday, it will be possible to take advantage of the archive file is a weekly prescription and restore remote файл.Но some companies can not afford to lose data even for a half-day - in this case, the utility Microsoft archiving them is not adequate. It is one way to take advantage of backup data high availability (eg, RAID disk array or services online archiving data).

Most likely, you will come replacement rather than dozapis archive files

Most small and medium-sized companies, there is no need to store the data of more than one - two weeks. True, in some cases, it makes sense to keep at hand for backup data every four months, but on a regular basis you can override file archives made Normal archiving method. Therefore, many systems administrators when setting parameters archiving prefer the option to choose "Replace the existing archive file instead of Windows" option "Dozapisat new file to the existing archive."

The larger organizations, the terms of which have high requirements to backup data is to use more sophisticated archiving system. If small companies trying to use Windows Backup utility for managing multiple backup modes, its simplicity, immediately becomes an issue. A large businesses in general does not make sense to try crammed into the framework of this programme and the weekly Normal archiving, and Custom Difference archiving or through SQL. In such a situation far more effectively apply more sophisticated software.

Compressing data does not provide specific results - keep this in mind when planning archiving

The software from independent developers usually provides much better ways to compress than Windows Backup. I often had to do for its customers large amounts of backups, and I did not notice the results of special compression using Windows Backup standard removable hard disks, data CDs, and other such media. Hardware compression visible only when using tapes.

Data verification after archiving can be delayed
Windows Backup utility offers verification after data archiving, which allows you to make sure that archiving is successful. Almost all the experts recommend use of this opportunity. However, establishing the voluminous archives should be used with caution, because the verification process could take indefinitely.

I, for example, faced with a situation where companies routinely have failed to archive a 32 GB data volume for eight hours, because verification data was very long. After disabling this feature archiving has been carried out much more quickly.
Options verification of the data it makes sense to choose only if you make backups of small amounts (5 GB or less). To do so, check the box to the right of "Check after data archiving" (Verify Data After Backup) in the dialog box, "How do backups" (How To Back Up) Master archiving and restoration. If the file archive much more, I would advise periodically check backups manually - just open the archive and check its integrity.

When setting archiving using Windows Backup remember to limit the time allotted for the implementation of this operation. To do this in the window advanced settings (Advanced options), click on "Ask schedule" (Set Schedule), and select "Options" (Settings). By default, Windows allocates to perform scheduled tasks every 72 hours - is too long, especially for such tasks as archiving.