Backup of PC over Internet

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  Simon,

   

  As far as I am aware this is not possible.

   

  I am sure that you have to be on the same LAN for the backup process to work properly.

   

   (After all that is why the WOL,(wake on lan) function is built in to run overnight when the PCs are switched off.) This is incorrect see Ken's comment later.

   

  There are a couple of things to check to prove that it cannot be done.

   

  1. The easiest way to tell for sure is fron your system tray is your WHS icon green when you remotely log-in to your server.
  2. If not then the backup now option will not be available.
  3. Log on to your server remotely throgh youraddress at livenode dotcom or homesever dot com
  4. Click on the computers tab and your laptop that you have should be greyed out meaning that WHS cannot see it.

  Hope that's clear if not post back and I will try to answer the queries.

   

  Regards,

   

  Andi

   

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 11:03 AM
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  Not east, but apparently it can be done. See this post;

   

  http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2120328&SiteID=50

   

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 11:38 AM
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  No, Windows Home Server backup is designed to work on the LAN, as Andi has said so you wont be able to do it.

   

  You might want to consider going to the Micrsoft Connect site and registering this suggestion for V2 of WHS - if its something that enough people are interested in Microsoft may include in the future.

   

  Andrew

   

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 11:48 AM

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  Andrew and DFW posted while I was typing this....
  
  I would have to agree...I see no way to do a PC back up in the same what it does at home on the network. Is this something that is in the works at MS???? Maybe a MVP can lend a hand on that one...
  
  As an alternative, you can backup specific files on your pc via FTP to a remote server....but not a pc image.  This can be done in two ways: (1) buy a membership to one of those remote backup services and back up at night over the web, (2) If you have your own server for a web site you can use Handy Backup to back up your files via FTP to that server. Again, neither will do a pc image for a full backup like WHS does.
  
  Not sure you would want to FTP into WHS because FTP is pretty unsecure to leave open all the time on WHS.
  
  Personally, I'd just back up personal presentation files, photos, etc. on a DVD while on the road and then add the laptop back to the network when I got home for a total backup and image.
  
  Sidenote: I use Handy Backup on WHS to run redundant backups once a week of super important files. These backups are sent out from WHS via FTP to my remote web/game server.  This redundant backup is good in case of a home fire/disaster or theft. Plus, it's cheaper than those backup services depending on what you pay for your web server......
  
  Hope this helps...
  

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 11:50 AM
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  Thanks for all the replies, i think you are right its a no go, but i will post the idea on the feedback for v2.  I can currently sync using groove but just hoped it might be possible to backup through the internet while i am away. 

   

  Thanks all.

   

  Simon

   

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 11:56 AM
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  It's seems like this would cetainly be possible over a VPN connection. SoincWall has some nice ones. I would call their support line to verify this. If I try to implement this in my setup I will post my experience as well.

  Tuesday, October 9, 2007 4:32 PM
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  G'day,

  I do backups on WHS over the internet about once a week for one of my relatives.

  I use a VPN endpoint on my ADSL router from the remote house and then the PC thinks it is on the land.

  I would suggest doing the first backup on the land and then do incremental backups after that.

  You could also set up a vpn directly on WHS if your router doesn't have vpn endpoints.

  Wednesday, October 10, 2007 10:30 PM
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  Yes, you can via a VPN Connection (although not sure about automatically).  There have been previous posts about people using Hamachi to do just that.  The only real "requirement" is that you should do your first backup inside your LAN (otherwise it could take a LOOOOONG time).  I would suggest a forum search for Hamachi and see what comes up.

  Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:02 PM

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  Andi, Windows Home Server doesn't use Wake On LAN for backups. A WHS client wakes itself; the connector sets a hardware timer when the PC goes into standby mode.
  
  And it is possible to back up to WHS over a VPN connection,as others have reported. A VPN connection creates a virtual link to your home network. You can use a router that supports VPN, or you can use something like Hamachi. Backing up over a VPN connection certainly isn't supported, though, and it will deliver terrible performance, so I would recommend in the strongest terms that people not even attempt it without a burning need.
  

  Thursday, October 11, 2007 1:11 AM

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  Thanks Ken for correcting my misunderstanding.

   

  Apologies to everyone else if I mislead them with my post.

   

  Regards,

   

  Andi

   

  Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:47 AM