Backup Server Project for my University

[UnitingDust]

Hello. I am a undergraduate student who decided to do a miniproject for my university. Whatever idea/plan that comes out of this project will be funded by the university (after approval of course) and I can actually go ahead and build the actual dam thing. However I am completely new to this sort of thing. The only prior experience I had was computer building and not stuff with servers. This is when I would like to look to the LTT community for help and guidance on where to start. 

 

You might be wondering why did I even do this project if I have no experience. This is actually my work study job (federal job sort of) where I am basically paid to learn to do something so why not do something that I actually have an interest in? So for project.....

 

PURPOSE: Graduate students at the university's laboratory constantly do work and run simulations and shit on the university's desktops. They want to have a backup server where all of their important files can be stored and accessed if needed. The previous solution was to run each computer in RAID 1 but a power surge occurred and wiped out both drives so one month of work disappeared.... So my job is essentially to create a working backup server

 

 

BACKGROUND:

- There will be roughly 10 PCs. Ranging from shitty $500 ones to $4000 ones. I have no idea what operating systems they run on but I will find out

- Going to need to buy a server, shelf of some sort (?), UPS, and KVM switches (have to research this stuff 2)

- Each computer will have automatic backups daily to the server

- Preferably this will be a wired project and not wireless, because it will be more reliable (?)

- All of the PCs and the backup server will be on this giant shelf

 

So now this where all of the questions come in. What servers do I look for? How do I do automatic backup updates? How do I set up the server? And it goes on and on and on...

I would appreciate a nudge in the right direction and what topics I should be researching. After all, I am being paid to learn this stuff. If you feel as if I can change the setup to make it more efficient, please do suggest so. I am completely new to this. If you need any clarification or questions, please ask. Thanks! 

 

Also on a side note, I have been watching LTT videos for a LONG time. I have some minimum level of understanding of servers from killer server videos that LTT posted. 

[Electronics Wizardy]

If you want something that just works look at a prebuilt solution, like a synology nas or a dell nas.

 

For backup, you can use something like veeam, windows backup.

 

 

Id strongly suggest you get a consolution with a IT pro. It much better to sit down with a pro for a hour than to ask the internet or try to make your own thing.

 

 

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Alright, I do a lot of server stuff so I can over you some insight.

What I would do in your scenario, one SUPER BEASTLY server running Windows Server 2012 R2 with all the clients virtualized within the Server OS, running WIndows 10. Then build a bunch of thin clients- which will all draw only about 20-30W's from the wall with a possible 24 core, 48 thread server drawing only 400W's under a full load. Each client would remote desktop to a virtualized instance of Windows over the network which is fast and secure and removes the need for nightly backups to the server, when the server can just run redundantly, backing up entire computer images all the time. 

[knightslugger]

Do not forget to consult a State/Federal Cyber Security Specialist on the nature of what you are doing. this might seem like just school, but Universities are government facilities. you don't want to be on the wrong side of this.

[UnitingDust]

4 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

Do not forget to consult a State/Federal Cyber Security Specialist on the nature of what you are doing. this might seem like just school, but Universities are government facilities. you don't want to be on the wrong side of this.

It isn't actually the University itself but a self run "group" from within the laboratory. Essentially it is independent of the university but is still funded by the university. I also have a supervisor which overlooks and checks my progress so I am fine.

[knightslugger]

Well you can lead a horse to water i suppose... Just keep in mind it's a Felony if you're wrong.

[Mark77]

Linux or FreeBSD, Supermicro hardware, a nice hot-swap capable case that can hold 10-20 3.5" drives and sit on a rack, a modest Xeon CPU and ECC RAM, and RAID-6.

 

Clients can use rsync, or their Windows backup software of choice. 

 

 

[UnitingDust]

2 hours ago, Jacktastic-Mofo said:

Alright, I do a lot of server stuff so I can over you some insight.

What I would do in your scenario, one SUPER BEASTLY server running Windows Server 2012 R2 with all the clients virtualized within the Server OS, running WIndows 10. Then build a bunch of thin clients- which will all draw only about 20-30W's from the wall with a possible 24 core, 48 thread server drawing only 400W's under a full load. Each client would remote desktop to a virtualized instance of Windows over the network which is fast and secure and removes the need for nightly backups to the server, when the server can just run redundantly, backing up entire computer images all the time. 

That is an option that I will keep in mind. However I am pretty sure I have to use the desktops that are provided as of now. 

[UnitingDust]

1 hour ago, Mark77 said:

Linux or FreeBSD, Supermicro hardware, a nice hot-swap capable case that can hold 10-20 3.5" drives and sit on a rack, a modest Xeon CPU and ECC RAM, and RAID-6.

 

Clients can use rsync, or their Windows backup software of choice. 

 

 

Would a backup software such as ShadowProtect be recommended? 

[leadeater]

28 minutes ago, UnitingDust said:

Would a backup software such as ShadowProtect be recommended? 

That or Veeam Endpoint Backup Free, Crash Plan (Free for local/offsite). There's actually tons of free and paid options, main difference is do you require a support agreement or not so if yes go paid.

[UnitingDust]

Another question, how would I go about connecting the PCs to the server by WIRE. I know there is an option for over the network which I think is the NAS. Would I have to use a NIC or something? I am still not sure whether or not to go by wire or wireless. My university has its own network and I most likely have to look into that if I go the wireless route.

 

EDIT: I think I might have found the solution? Network Switches. Create a local network and have the backups go to the server. 

 

[leadeater]

2 hours ago, UnitingDust said:

Another question, how would I go about connecting the PCs to the server by WIRE. I know there is an option for over the network which I think is the NAS. Would I have to use a NIC or something? I am still not sure whether or not to go by wire or wireless. My university has its own network and I most likely have to look into that if I go the wireless route.

 

EDIT: I think I might have found the solution? Network Switches. Create a local network and have the backups go to the server. 

 

Are the computers not already networked? On the main university network. If so all you need to do is get permission to add the backup server to the network, if not then yes you'll need to buy a switch.