Windows Server 2008 Backup and Restore

Microsoft seems to be intent on undoing its longstanding practice of licensing other people's software for use in its operating systems. Take the Longhorn code project, for example. The evergreen disk defragmenter, a limited version of Executive Software's Diskeeper, has been replaced by new code written by Microsoft. More significantly, the NTBACKUP program from (originally) Seagate Software has also been replaced by new Microsoft code.

One could argue that licensing code written by specialists was a good thing for operating system users. Diskeeper worked well and provided a graphical interface (and progress indicator) that the new defrag tool conspicuously lacks, although Microsoft claims other virtues for its new utility. The old NTBACKUP program was robust, reasonably flexible, somewhat scriptable, and based on an industry-leading tool (Backup Exec). Is the new backup software a step into the future, or a quickie solution so that prospective users can tick off the "integrated backup utility" checkbox on their shopping list?

Over the next several weeks I'll be blogging about significant pros and cons of the Server 2008 version of the backup tool that debuted in Windows Vista, so that you can decide whether the supplied software is a step forward or a step backward - and, more importantly, whether your organization will need to turn to a third-party solution for the features it needs.

Recent blog posts...

Final thoughts on Starter GPOs...at least for now

Everything you need to know about Server 2008 Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

Tips and Tricks on Rolling Out Windows Server 2008