However, I can think of no easier way to add the job security benefit of good backup to the network administrator today. My maxim, “all employed network administrators have current backup” remains true, regardless of the number of ways to achieve dependable backup.įrom virtual machine (VM) snapshots (on the virtualization or storage platform), to off-site vaulted media backups, there are layers of cost and complexity that may be necessary for some data. The reason the built-in Windows Server Backup application is so valuable is that it does a sophisticated and reliable job of server backup that is absolutely mission-critical yet is often seen as adding cost, complexity, or third-party applications into the solution.
This feature is particularly useful to restore the computer to a usable state after a failed application or buggy update installation in a low-drama fashion. Windows Server 2012 continues the Windows Backup application legacy, which is good news it’s a great feature and I’m glad they didn’t mess with it. The Windows Server Backup application that is built in to Windows Server versions 2008 and later is a little gold mine, and I’ve written about it before, as well as ways to manage it.
