Servers must be backed up because they contain all the data for the entire network. In most networks, workstations are not backed up because they usually don’t contain any data of major importance. (Individual workstations would be backed up only if the users are trained improperly and don’t store all their data on the network.) Users can mistakenly save their data to their local workstation. Also, user application configuration data are normally stored on the workstation. If a workstation’s hard disk goes down, the configuration is lost.
For backups to be successful, users need to ensure that all necessary data is located on the network. You can do this in two ways: user training and folder replication. Training is time-consuming and costly, but productive in the long run. Users should understand the general network layout and know how to save their data in the proper place. This keeps all user data centralized and makes it easy for the administrator to back up the data.
When you replicate folders, client platforms that support replication will share their hard disks (or portions of them) with the rest of the network. The network backup software then backs up those portions of the workstation that the administrator specifies.
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