Posts made by openit

@openit Also seems MS do not have separate team/ dept. to handle MS Teams like they have for Yammer.

@openit But with Yammer, I have seen "Network Admin" which gives more control over Yammer users, groups , backup etc. not sure about MS Teams yet, I am waiting for there reply for my email for details on MS Teams like where this data gets saved, is it available forever ?, can we backup the teams, chats ? allow/disallow users to let create there own team and can/cannot join Teams on their own etc.

Anyone have any idea on my queries ?

@Minion-Queen said in Microsoft Teams announced:

@scottalanmiller said in Microsoft Teams announced:

@Ambarishrh said in Microsoft Teams announced:

@scottalanmiller said in Microsoft Teams announced:

Ah ha, it's a FAT app only, no online component. Not available for Linux, so this makes the O365 suite not universally the same as far as platforms. There is no web interface for Teams. I have it on my phone, but not my desktop.

Teams has web interface too, the only thing that doesnt work on the web yet is the video chat and screen sharing. MS Teams supports edge, chrome and Firefox but yeah i dont see a native desktop client yet for Linux.

It does? If the web page opens the ONLY thing the web interface had for me was download links to apps. It didn't "do" anything at all. Nada. Zero web interface.

Same here: It forced me to download the app. Which from what I can see does less than the free version of Skype does. Just more clutter. Yammer seems to be better than that does.....

But Yammer do not have Destkop app. With MS Teams there is Desktop app and Mobile app, didn't tried Web one. I feel more better with MS Teams due to Desktop app because it's more comfortable than Web, could be bit faster and Screen Sharing (no such feature in Yammer).

@dafyre said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@Dashrender said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit do you have the NAS already? If not, you could build a SAM-SD style box, install your backup solution on that box directly and backup locally.

I mention this just to make sure those reading this thread are aware that you don't have to have a Server and a NAS when looking at the isolated backup model.

No, not yet, I got to purchase NAS, I need to plan for software and then I will purchase.

I am not really sure what's this SAM-SD box ? I guess, running some server on Linux which have good storage and then setup it as Backup server ?

That's one use for it. Basically it's a server built for reliability more than anything else. @scottalanmiller would be able to better define it since he's the one that came up with the idea... SAM-SD = @scottalanmiller - storage device, lol.

I see. It would be nice if I can get link for article on this topic, I think @scottalanmiller blogged it ?

@Dashrender said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit do you have the NAS already? If not, you could build a SAM-SD style box, install your backup solution on that box directly and backup locally.

I mention this just to make sure those reading this thread are aware that you don't have to have a Server and a NAS when looking at the isolated backup model.

No, not yet, I got to purchase NAS, I need to plan for software and then I will purchase.

I am not really sure what's this SAM-SD box ? I guess, running some server on Linux which have good storage and then setup it as Backup server ?

@dafyre @DustinB3403 @Dashrender

Cad we are using is from AutoDesk.

1. Moving to linux could be an option, even Autodesk is supported for linux (say CentOS), that's very big deal, because user knows Windows and we, IT have little knowledge on Linux. To save money I never want to do that, as I learnt from different scenarios and from forums, at the end of the IT will fallen into problems, Management never sees ( if Manager is from IT background, then maybe exceptional case) how many bucks you saved by using free or open source, but loss or downtime, so plans about Linux.

2. Even myself, I love opensource software and plays around CentOS, pfsense, Zentyal, and so many. I believe I can set it up properly and get it run, but difficult part is troubleshooting if any issue occurs, so no to Linux as of now at least.

3. For sure, I need to push the task of bringing the network under domain.

4. On one hand, by seeing issues with Ransomware, I have started to think about Backup for local pc data and other big issue I need to think about is "Users security awareness". And if I plan to migrate to Linux, then I would be gone LOL

@DustinB3403 said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@BRRABill said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

Hey why hasn't anyone tried talking the OP out of doing this? You know, the whole "no data on the PC" thing?

I feel hurt. LOL.

We do have file server on Windows server and users have been given access on and working with. But the issue is with CAD files they work, even do not suggest them to work directly on shared folder which take the performance down, so now they have working data (which is important).

Now, your question will be if you have Windows Server, why network is not in domain, and my answer is "so many computers are Home Edition", working on to make all Professional Edition.

If the business is running Home Edition licenses of Windows, you have bigger issues. You know you can't implement AD on Home, so you'd have to upgrade those to professional (or beyond).

I'm assuming the Windows licensing is adhered to the computers, which means you can't move it from device to device (legally). So you have a few choices, purchase a MAK license, and re-image and upgrade each user system to Windows Professional.

Or try your hand at a linux distro, and see if all of your software is functional on said linux distro.

Around 50% are Home Edition, not all. Yes, no domain for Home Edition. I guess, no need to reinstall os to convert.

@scottalanmiller @Dashrender
As mentioned above in my latest post, users got to keep data in local pcs for performance reasons.

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

It is good to step back and ask.... is backup of endpoints really needed? Have you considered addressing the need to back up endpoints?

As I said in latest post, even though we have file server, users required to work on local pc due to CAD things, because of performance reasons, so if users have data on local pc, it's important.

@Dashrender said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

I would like to ask you, with what would you suggest based on my requirements mentioned in my Post ?

I really think that Veeam Endpoint Backup is likely the way to go. As @JaredBusch pointed out, the risk of compromise through ransomware, while important to consider, does not exist today and planning around it is foolish. If you are backing up to NAS, just snapshot to protect against that. The product is commercial, enterprise and completely free and that's not going to change in any reasonable future.

Use PDQ Deploy and you can roll it out quickly and easily to your entire fleet without needing Active Directory.

OK so he can deploy it easily, but can he configure it easily? Or will he still have to touch every machine to configure the backups and the destination?

That's painful

@Dashrender said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@BRRABill said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

Hey why hasn't anyone tried talking the OP out of doing this? You know, the whole "no data on the PC" thing?

I feel hurt. LOL.

While I agree with this, the OP asked for a specific solution. He didn't say... How do I make sure I don't loose any data from my end user PCs?

Additionally, we just learned that he doesn't have the PCs attached to a domain. This means there is a likelihood that he doesn't have a shared admin credential over all machines ( but it's possible he does), also he's missing out on things like GPOs.

I do have admin account on all workstations with same credentials. Yeah, missing out GPOs.

@BRRABill said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

Hey why hasn't anyone tried talking the OP out of doing this? You know, the whole "no data on the PC" thing?

I feel hurt. LOL.

We do have file server on Windows server and users have been given access on and working with. But the issue is with CAD files they work, even do not suggest them to work directly on shared folder which take the performance down, so now they have working data (which is important).

Now, your question will be if you have Windows Server, why network is not in domain, and my answer is "so many computers are Home Edition", working on to make all Professional Edition.

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

I would like to ask you, with what would you suggest based on my requirements mentioned in my Post ?

Use PDQ Deploy and you can roll it out quickly and easily to your entire fleet without needing Active Directory.

Is that PDQ Deploy Free is going to do trick for us while we are being in Workgroup ?

@openit Could be ok once Veeam launches Central Mgmt by next year, so this Central mgmt from going to have good control to manage or just to monitor ?

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

I would like to ask you, with what would you suggest based on my requirements mentioned in my Post ?

I really think that Veeam Endpoint Backup is likely the way to go. As @JaredBusch pointed out, the risk of compromise through ransomware, while important to consider, does not exist today and planning around it is foolish. If you are backing up to NAS, just snapshot to protect against that. The product is commercial, enterprise and completely free and that's not going to change in any reasonable future.

Use PDQ Deploy and you can roll it out quickly and easily to your entire fleet without needing Active Directory.

I see, so two things coming to my mind 1. Urbackup or 2. Veeam Free with NAS (which should have snapshot facility. But still stuck at central mgmt, don't know if backup is working or failing

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@DustinB3403 said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

Any of these solutions will work on physical installations or virtual ones. We just make the assumption that you are running a virtual environment.

He said it was for PCs in the original post. I figured he was talking physical desktops (or laptops). People don't tend to call servers PCs, even though they are too. I was assuming physical in every response.

Yes, only for physical desktop computers I am looking now.

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

UrBackup should work here, too. Totally free.

I just found, Your post on Spiceworks :

Backup is one of those areas where open source is still weak. Some products, like Amanda, do a decent job but charge for components necessary to make them really useful. So while the base is open source, much of the product itself is not.

Backups are one of the few places where even I, a dedicated lover of open source, often choose commercial-only solutions.
OR, if I am going to stick to OSS, I don't use a backup system but simply write scripts to do it.

It's very true. UrBackup looks decent, but it's no Veeam or StorageCraft (yet.) I'm very hopeful that someone in the open source space is going to get backups up to the enterprise level.

I see.

@DustinB3403 said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

@openit said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

Dear all,

Looking for backup software for Windows environment with following requirements:

1. Software that can isolate backup destination to protect from ransom-ware so that PC got infected will not effect backup target.

2. Software can take snapshot or system image.

3. Of course schedule backup and data retention option.

4. Centralized Management.

5. Good price, of course:)

The backup destination will be NAS box and we got around 100 PCs.

I prefer perpetual(one time payment) license.

Thanks all !

So above is your original post. Lets bullet out what you want and need.

1. Backup isolation. Every centrally managed backup solution can do this, with detatched storage from the host/server. UrBackUp does this and is free. (There is a paid support version as well)

2. Most solutions can do this, and offer a ISO to reinstall from the last image taken. UrBackUp also does this, and is offered for free.

3. Any backup solution worth paying for has scheduling and retention. UrBackUp has this.

4. UrBackUp runs from a server, and has a Web Console so while centrally managed, the jobs can be viewed from any system with access to the web server address.

5. UrBackUp has both free, and paid options.

Very nice response.
Especially about isolation point, which I don't have any idea about Backup Server.
I should have a look at UrBackUp and may go for paid one if requires (not sure if paid one is again perceptual or subscription).

@scottalanmiller
I am willing to go with commercial one for reliability cause (possibly perceptual license and good price).

Very first point is, our workstations are not under Domain (it's different story why, I am working to bring it on).

I would like to ask you, with what would you suggest based on my requirements mentioned in my Post ?

@scottalanmiller said in PCs Backup software that can isolate backup destination to protect from Ransomware virus.:

UrBackup should work here, too. Totally free.

I just found, Your post on Spiceworks :

Backup is one of those areas where open source is still weak. Some products, like Amanda, do a decent job but charge for components necessary to make them really useful. So while the base is open source, much of the product itself is not.

Backups are one of the few places where even I, a dedicated lover of open source, often choose commercial-only solutions.
OR, if I am going to stick to OSS, I don't use a backup system but simply write scripts to do it.