@NetworkNerd said:

Man, I can completely identify with the problem you're having. We have an Estimating tool that is much the same. If you change the code in the master template, it's near impossible to propagate that change to every other spreadsheet that already exists. There may have been columns added, etc., and that can make things even more complicated.

I agree when I finally demote that old server and use a CNAME, the problem will be resolved. The new file server has an alias so it will make the next migration much easier.

It still doesn't change the fact that our backbone to our panels, purlins and roofs are all determined by an extremely messy and complicated VBA project. For someone who isn't a developer and just doesn't have the time to study (believe me, I've tried), it will be a herculean effort to convert this to another format one day. I've been able to enhance it here and there but not by much.

@Dashrender

Right, I do need to migrate DNS off the old server...VPN services are also still there...

Well, I am in a position where I do need the CNAME of the old server in place so we can fix an in house software quirk.

Going back to my check list, this appears to be the next step:

		§ Transfer FSMO Roles to new Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller
			□ Transfer all 5 or one at a time and start demoting your old Server 2003 DC's in the next step. But the key to remember is to NOT demote any of the current domain controllers that have any of your FSMO roles on them. Be sure to transfer them off first before proceeding to DC demotion.
			□ http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/05/27/step-by-step-active-directory-migration-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2012.aspx

And all of the suggestions lead to that I can do this during business hours....so, taking this step by step. OK to proceed as according to the link above?

@Dashrender said:

How far away from turning off the old server are you? Once you turn it off (or can rename it) you can put in a CNAME in your DNS pointing to your new server to solve this problem.

This was my plan "B" for sure...I guess I can start working on the remainder of the DC migration...

I hesitate to ask VBA questions because they are usually so customized to the business people are in.

We have a major Excel/VBA project that I had to update code in to point to our new file server when we migrated a few weeks ago. The spreadsheet attaches a XLA file to a project each time it is opened. So, the info in the XLA file is there and updated.

Somewhere along the line, it updates the Excel Object ThisWorkbook. All of the older spreadsheets (pre new file server) open with the updated XLA file but old server info in the ThisWorkbook object. So that one part of the older project refers to the old server and beyond changing every old job which would be an astronomical task, I tried searching that XLA file to see when it may put that info in there and can't seem to find it.

The work around was to turn back on the share on the old server that references in the ThisWorkbook object could be accessed and reached.

So it is kind of weird...and without someone seeing this entire code, it may be hard to figure this one out...

Let me ingest these recent posts and see what I can do...I did try Veeam this weekend since I've not gotten Unitrends setup yet. Over the weekend, I just tried a file copy of our two most important directories to our NAS. One of them I started at 9:49PM on the 12th...came in today and it is still running at 83% and 549 KB/s. This is going on 36 hours...This directory contains:\

47GB of Data
1,142,899 files

Mind you it isn't going to an enterprise level NAS and it is the first FULL backup but I still expect better throughput. So, saying this, my current backup solution may not be doing so bad...there is a bottleneck somewhere.

@scottalanmiller said:

My understanding is that you can only do VM backups with that license.

This is a VM I am trying to connect to...

When trying to run some test backups, now getting this:

"[System] file-level backups not supported in Free Edition License."

Getting confused now in this free license...I've looked at this but it doesn't help: http://support.unitrends.com/ikm/questions.php?questionid=809

@garak0410 said:

@art_of_shred said:

You can create a CIFS or NFS share on your NAS to attach storage that way. Here's how...

http://support.unitrends.com/ikm/questions.php?questionid=936

This helps...now if I can get past this point, I'll be good:

The login info is correct but I am sure there is something missing...

It wanted CIFS...working now...moving on...

Question about backup drives in Unitrends. Does the drive have to be an attached VDISK or can backups go to a network location? I am trying to create a VDISK on our NAS to attach to the Unitrends VM and it drive creation is just CREEPING...terrible slow. I've checked the storage options and they all appear to have to be VDISKS unless I am missing something.

Thanks...

So, I will see where this leads over the next few days...

I assume I should also have a solution for my Host right? But the free Unitrends won't take care of that...correct?

I'll be keeping my current solution for now to backup SQL.

@art_of_shred said:

Follow this...

http://www.unitrends.com/documents/administrators-guide/user_manual/getting_started/to_create_additional_backup_storage_for_hyper-v.htm

Then this...

http://www.unitrends.com/documents/administrators-guide/user_manual/getting_started/to_expand_storage.htm#XREF_77149_To_expand_storage

Excellent...thanks! Freeing up space from my NAS to make room to test this...

@art_of_shred said:

There are 2 places to get the agent for Windows. You can get them on the web site: http://www.unitrends.com/support/latest-agent-releases , or you can pull them from the share on the appliance (UEB). If you go to your server, open up <Run> and enter \192.168.1.50 (ex. ...it's whatever the IP of the UEB is) you can see the Windows Agent Share folder and get it from there. There will be a 32 and 64 bit option, as well as the bare metal agent, which is only for physical Windows platforms (not virtual).

Excellent...this helped...was able to load the agent on my virtual Domain Controller...now next question...

How do I set up a connection to my NAS to store the backups? Does it need to be a VDISK or can I use a network path to the NAS? Wasn't sure what option sets up Backup Destination.

@scottalanmiller said:

Cool. Keep us in the loop. If you need Unitrends help ping @art_of_shred

I've also pinged him. I was going to try the Unitrends Forum but not sure if the free edition is even supported there.

I got to add a client in Unitrends Free and I get this:

Summary: Error communicating with system.

Cause: Call was unsuccessful.

Detail: [System] Remote agent installation is not supported with Windows 8.1 or 2012R2. Please download and install the agent from the Unitrends website onto the Windows system.

@scottalanmiller said:

Unitrends free should definitely handle the servers. No agents needed. We just need to figure out where an agent error is coming from.

About to fire it back up (fingers crossed it didn't cause the wear on the host but doubtful it did) and let you know where I stand on it.

I've discussed this with Scott in another discussion one time but it is time to look at backups again. I didn't have the budget nor the time to look at new backup solutions at the time of my move to 2012 R2. However, now that our current solution is dreadfully slow in a virtualized environment and will not work, time to look at other solutions.

I do have the Unitrends Free version installed as a VM but never could get it working but I am about to try again.

Management is aware of the need for a better solution so I may get money to spend though the cheaper the better.

Here's my setup:

Hyper-V Host with two VMs:
VM1: Domain Controller
VM2: File Server and Services

Physical SQL Server
4 workstations with local SQL (that have to be local) that I like to backup

Looking for, hopefully, an all in one solution to backup Active Directory, SQL DB's, Files (granular), and perhaps VDISK and VM backups as well.

So, let the bidding begin!

@scottalanmiller said:

Fingers crossed then. Could have been almost anything.

That's what I told management...fingers crossed...the only thing I didn't turn back on was Unitrends Free (which I've not had time to use yet but will soon as you may see in another thread)...

So far, this hasn't returned though management had their concerns about it and virtualization. Praying it was just a fluke.