You can then start a backup manually if you want by selecting the backup drive and clicking Start a backup for the server from the SERVER tasks list.
You can then monitor the progress from the Computers and Backup tab.
Just remember that the first backup will take some time! So be patient.
When it has finished, you should see the Successful status appear in the Backup status column – if not, click it to find out what went wrong.
You can check it backed up everything you were expecting by clicking on the SERVER and choosing the Backup tab – as you can see I had a successful backup.
If I double-click that I can see more information – so my system reserved partition, the Operating System and the D drive were all backed up successfully.
And that is it. You can now unplug the drive and store it somewhere safe.
[box type=”info” style=”rounded” border=”full”] My advice would be to have at least two backup drives in operation. One to backup to and store offsite and one that is backing up the server on a regular basis and remains connected.[/box]
We will be taking a look at restoring a server or folder backup in the next article.
Here is a short video showing server and folder backup in action:
So what do you think of this new functionality?
Why not give Windows Home Server 2011 a try, it’s available now on Microsoft Connect to download.
Download Windows Home Server 2011 from Microsoft Connect
How do you stop the server backup filling up the disc?
How do you stop the server backup filling up the disc?
You dont – unfortunately it will use whatever space there is on the disk and fill it. You have to monitor the space yourself and either replace the disk when its full or remove older backups. I wish it was better than that!
Thanks, what I feared. Not a very good way of doing it for a “home” product
One problem is how do you moniter as my external drive isn’t showing up in explorer?
One problem is how do you moniter as my external drive isn’t showing up in explorer?
I think the only way to check is to connect it to another computer and see.
Found how to monitor server backup drive. In dashboard Server Folders also has Hard Drives tab and THAT shows all the hard drives attached. Why explorer has it disabled is beyond me?
Found how to monitor server backup drive. In dashboard Server Folders also has Hard Drives tab and THAT shows all the hard drives attached. Why explorer has it disabled is beyond me?