Business Server

Business Server


How does a small business build a server for online backup for off site clients?

I want to build a server with appropriate software/hardware to make it very simple for clients to backup & retrieve data.
"Big Cheese" said; "Hire a rackmount server in a data center. Your internet connection wont be sufficient for clients to backup/retrieve data."
I ask why not & tell me more about a data center & what kind of 'net connection would I need. How do you know my internet connection isn't sufficient?

Hi Ed,

This is a very simple task. Let me elaborate.

You can either rent a server from a dedicated server provider or "host" the server in-house in your office. I'll start with the latter approach:

1) Buy a server from either Dell, HP, or another vendor with the operating system and appropriate licenses

2) Request a static dedicated IP from your Internet provider (you will need to sign up for their business connection)

3) Install server FTP software on the server (or secure FTP for good measure of security)

4) Create an FTP account with login name and password for each client

5) Deliver the credentials and the IP to your clients and ask them to upload the files using a client FTP program.

6) Be knowledgeable enough to maintain and secure the server from intruders. A compromise could lead to serious consequences such as non-public material business information leak.

Keep in mind that having a server in-house means that you have to have contingency plans in place. For example, what if a component or components fail, how long does it take for the vendor to send and replace the part? Does it inconvenience your clients if such disruption happens? What if there's a power loss or Internet connectivity loss? Does the power company provider a Service Level Agreement (SLA) whereby they promise to bring power back up within certain hours? What about an SLA for the Internet connection?

Which brings me to the former approach. It consists of renting a fully managed dedicated server from a provider that will take care of all the above without you having to worry about anything. The main advantage being that you're hiring a provider that houses the server in a data center facility with grid power redundancy with diesel generators (in case UPS and power is completely out), Internet connectivity redundancy (multiple data carriers with failover), and also hardware failure replacement (most provider carry spare parts and servers for rapid same-hour replacement).

The advantage is that you'd be worry free and can focus on your business instead of adding overhead, which is unnecessary for such a simple task. Also, your clients will be more confident in your business.

By the way, how much backup disk space do you need? Feel free to get in touch with me should you have any question or comment (joe at unixy.net or email me at my Yahoo account). I'll be glad to help out.

Best Regards

Microsoft Small Business Server and Essential Business Serve