Client-Server Backup Software

Using Client-Server Backup Software

Client-server backup brings the most benefits in business environments. If you have a server that can remotely control client applications, then you can give all responsibilities related to configuring, running and maintaining backups to a single person (or role).

You do not need to teach your employees to back up their data, and the more computers you have, the more time and money you save.

Client-server backup: users on client computers may never know their data is being backed up

Centralized backup advantages are not limited to not having to teach employees. It can also be used to protect computers with no peripheral devices, back up servers that are located remotely, etc.

What You Can Back Up

Everything supported in standalone editions of our software is also available in network solution:

• Files-based backup. You can automatically back up of all important documents, e-mails, multimedia and any important files stored in a corporate network.
• Image-based backup. In addition to "targeted" backup of file system objects, you can also create complete HDD snapshots. In Windows version of our software, disk imaging can be performed in live mode, not requiring you to stop or reboot the system.
• Database backup. The utility is known for its rich database backup capabilities. Installing client applications on all enterprise servers enables you to protect all websites, CRM systems, mail servers and other critical data from one control point. Learn more about database backup.
• Supported storage. All client computers in Handy Backup’s client-server backup scheme can be used both as a source of data, or provide access to storage file systems (see technical details below). You can back up to USB, NAS, FTP, SFTP, FTPS, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and other places.

We welcome you to download our utility and create your first backups today!

Technical Details

Let’s see some details of how our client-server backup solution works. Client applications are called Handy Backup Workstations: perform operations related to data retrieval, storage and processing.

Workstations are controlled by Handy Backup for Workstations which keeps all schedules, writes logs, notifies about errors, etc. What happens when backing up a database from one computer to another computer’s hard drive:

1. Server issues a command to copy a database from one Workstation to another.
2. "Source" workstation connects to the database, reads the data, and transfers data stream to "Destination" workstation which in its turn writes the data to a designated storage.
3. Data between workstations is transported with the use of the rsync algorithm which allows copying only new data if there already are older versions of backups in the destination.
4. During the copying, the clients notify the Server about backup progress and inform of errors.

Client-server architecture in our software

Client-server architecture is used in all editions of our program including standalone versions designed to run on one computer. On the way from "Source" to "Destination", the data stream can be compressed, encrypted, and passed through other processing filters.

All modifications are performed using no temporary files, which lowers system requirements. Access to data and storage file systems is performed through the use of different plug-ins.

Data stream path: from "source" plug-ins on one client - through processing filters - to "destination" plug-ins on another client.