Introduction
Windows Server Backup is a native backup solution that comes integrated into Windows Server. It helps you to backup and recover the operating system, application and data – for free, but may be with a limitation in regard to functionality and features, no roadmap, and no adequate support compared to commercial ones.
In fact, Windows Server Backup does not have a commercial version that offers the advanced features required to meet modern business needs. It is a basic backup solution. To obtain more advanced features, you would need to purchase a commercial backup solution – a totally different non-Microsoft backup product.
BDRSuite is a commercial backup product that supports different backup workloads, including Windows Server Backup. It is a paid version, but you can backup upto 10 Windows endpoints for free. It sounds interesting. Isnt it?
Let’s jump to some of the differences between native Windows Server Backup and BDRSuite.
(UI) User Interface Showdown
Windows Server Backup offers a single UI for each Windows Server. Practically, that means you would require 5 different remote connections to 5 different Windows Servers. There is no centralized user interface. This is not feasible.
On another side, BDRSuite offers a web UI that can be accessed from anywhere within your network. Practically, you could manage 5 different Windows servers using a single UI.
Pricing
Windows Server Backup is free. However, you need to purchase a Windows Server license. You don’t purchase a license to do backup but to promote your server to a different role, e.g. WSUS, WDS, Print Server, AD, DNS, DHCP, or others. On top of that, you configure Windows Server Backup.
BDRSuite, even as a commercial backup solution, offers you to backup upto 10 Windows Endpints for free. If you want to scale up to more than 10 machines and have full functionality, you would need to upgrade to Standard Edition, which comes with a price tag.
Free Edition helps you to back up your Windows Endpoints at zero cost. You can download the FREE edition here Download BDRSuite & Get Started Now – For Free.
- Backup 10 Windows Workstations with no feature restrictions
You can read the difference between Free Edition and Standard Edition HERE.
Beyond Basic Backup: Exploring the Advanced Features
BDRSuite is a comprehensive backup solution. It offers some common features as Windows Server Backup, including disk image backup and data backup. However, there are plenty of features that BDRsuite supports and Windows Server Backup doesn’t. Let’s explore this further.
Both, BDRsuite and Windows Server Backup support Application-Aware Backups. That includes Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL, and SharePoint. However, Windows Server Backup does not support Active Directory, and BDRSuite does.
BDRSuite supports Advanced Near Continuous Data Protection (CDP). CDP helps you to back up changes in real-time. Windows Server Backup does not support CDP.
BDRSuite supports Automated Verification of Backups, and Windows Server Backup does not support it. Automated verification of backups helps to verify if backups are healthy and if they can be recovered in case of a disaster.
BDRSuite supports offsite copy, and Windows Server Backup doesn’t. Offsite copy means copying the backup to a safe remote location to ensure extended data protection.
BDRSuite supports Replication to Hybrid Cloud, and Windows Server Backup doesn’t. Replication to a hybrid cloud environment involves replicating backup data to a cloud-based storage solution in addition to local backup storage.
BDRSuite support built-in cloud disaster recovery. You can copy your backup to the Vembu cloud. Windows Server Backup does not support this feature.
Some other features that BDRSuite supports and Windows Server Backup doesn’t are:
Parallel VM Processing: parallel backup of multiple virtual machines/disks in a single host
Multi-host Backup Support: backup of multiple hosts from a single UI
Software Defined Backup Storage: manage and orchestrate backup storage resources
Higher Grade Backup Encryption: stronger encryption algorithm such as AES-256, secure key generation and storage, advanced authentication protocols and
Scale-Out Backup Repository: seamless expansion of backup storage capacity by adding additional nodes or servers.
You can read all the details here Feature Highlights.
What Lies Ahead for BDRSuite and Windows Server Backup?
Microsoft doesn’t focus much on improvising the existing Windows Server Backup for the last couple of years. Everything is shifting towards Azure.
BDRSuite is constantly working on improving its flagship product. You can always visit BDRsuite at www.bdrsuite.com to check for the latest product enhancements.
Technical Support
Windows Server Backup is a built-in feature of the Windows Server operating system, and the support you get is based on the overall support of the operating system. Microsoft supports you in case you have any issues with installation and configuration. The response SLA depends on the support level you are using.
BDRSuite support 24/7, and you can contact them via email, call and chat. In order to do so, you would just need to create a Vembu account.
Wrap up
Windows Server Backup is a native Windows feature to backup your Windows Servers. It comes at no cost and it is considered a basic backup solution.
On another side, BDRSuite is a commercial version that also offers free backups of upto 10 Windows workstations. It includes all the advanced features you can’t find in Windows Server Backup including CDP, flexible scheduling, high-level encryption, hybrid and cloud backup and more.
This article addresses some of the differences between Windows Server Backup and BDRsuite.
I encourage you to download the FREE product and evaluate it based on your needs.
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