Data Backup

[debug]

Hi all,

I am sitting with a little bit of a problem. I need to create backups of people's pst files (outlook data files) across the network on a daily basis. We use exchange but limit mailbox sizes to 300 and 500mb accordingly. Once their files get too big we archive excess mail to a pst file. Backing up/copying (using ie Robocopy) the pst file across the network with a script (log off script) is the easy part.
Let's say the users PST file is 1GB in size. If the user access the pst file or 1 item of mail gets archived, robocopy picks this up as a change and copies the entire file again.

My question is basicallly if there is a program that can only replicate the change inside the pst file without copying the whole 1GB file again. I realise that archiving to pst will probably only happen once every few months ( as needed). Suggestions would be much appreciated.

Regards
d

 

[ghalied]

Try these, helped me out so many times.


http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=10

 

[debug]

It seems after some investigation that Server 2003 R2's DFS would be the way to go. We are using this for replicating data between servers but I don't think it offers replication from client pc's to servers. Unless the user has a link to the DFS share which would be avaiable in "Offline" mode as well. Only problem is PST and MDB files cannot be hosted on a network drive AND also be availabe offline. Bummer.

"DFS Replication uses a new compression algorithm known as remote differential compression (RDC). RDC is a "diff-over-the wire" client-server protocol that can be used to efficiently update files over a limited-bandwidth network." Courtesy of M$.

 

[Claymore]

BTW, Microsoft does not support te placement of PST files on network drives. It can cause all sorts of issues.

 

[debug]

Indeed. PST and MDB files.