Backing up data in SharePoint has always been a somewhat daunting task.  With SharePoint 2010, Microsoft has given us new and vastly improved options while leaving existing methods unchanged.  In this multipart series, we will take an in-depth look at each of the available methods.

Challenge 

What are the options available in Central Administration for performing a Farm Backup in SharePoint 2010, and how do they differ from MOSS 2007/WSS 3.0?

Solution

The Farm Backup options in SharePoint 2010 are similar to the Farm Backup options in MOSS 2007.  The Farm Backup process is far the slowest executing method we will discuss, but it is also the easiest to implement.

To access the Farm Backup options, navigate to Central Administration -> Backup and Restore

To configure a farm backup, click Configure Backup Settings:

Number of Threads

This setting controls the number of internal threads used the backup process.  As the text explains, increasing this number can speed up the backup process, but the higher the number, the more verbose and potentially confusing the logs will be.

Backup Location

This is where the farm backup files are saved.  As the text explains, a sub folder is created for each object that is backed up.  This backup location needs to be an existing network share specified as a valid UNC path.  Your SharePoint service accounts and your SQL service account need permission to write to this folder.

Click OK to save your farm backup settings.

From Central Administration -> Backup and Restore -> Farm Backup and Restore, click Perform a Backup:

On this page, components to be included in the farm backup are selected.  A description of each component is included in the right-hand column.

Select the components to be backed up, then click Next.

Notice that the installed solutions are now available to be selected.  This is a change from MOSS 2007/WSS 3.0.

Backup Component

Changing this option will take you back to the previous screen where the components to be backed up can be selected again.

Backup Type

As the text explains, a full backup will back up the selected content with all history.  A differential backup will back up only the selected content that has changed since the last full backup.

Backup File Location

This is the same backup location we set earlier on the “Backup Configuration” page.  It can be modified if needed.

Estimated Backup Size

The estimated disk space (in megates) is displayed.

Click Start Backup to start a farm backup.

The “Backup and Restore Job Status” page is displayed.  Your farm backup is now in progress:

Notes

As you can see, the farm backup option in SharePoint 2010 is a simple and straightforward process.

The Backing Up Data series will return with a discussion of Granular Backups.

See Also

• Backup and recovery overview (SharePoint Server 2010) [TechNet]
• Backup and recovery best practices (SharePoint Server 2010) [TechNet]
• Cannot open backup device ‘F:foldername’. Operating system error 5(Access is denied.). [MSDN]