Copying contents from one server to another.

[perbear]

I have an HP Ex470 which has been running for more than a year. At the moment I have PP3 installed and 2 harddrives (and I will add another one later on). What I want to do now is to transfer the contents from this homeserver to a new one, an HP Storageworks X510 Data Vault. The old server will then be moved to a new home and hopefully run happily ever after there.
Any suggestions how I could and should do this? We are talking about less than 400 GB of files (of which 60 GB are duplications)

[dvn]

Cut and paste will work for your folder shares. The add-in, WHS Backup Database-Backup (BDBB), will manage the PC backups.

[IndyLux]

This is something I've thought about too as we get ready for a future release of Vail. I actually don't really care about my pc backups as I plan to re-back up each machine as it's added to the new server. I'll just be cutting and pasting (and waiting).

[usacomp2k3]

I recommend copy/paste actually. No sense deleting the data before you know it is safe at the new place.
Oh, and robocopy might be of use.

robocopy \\homeserver1\music \\homeserver2\music * /e
robocopy \\homeserver1\photos \\homeserver2\photos * /e
robocopy \\homeserver1\videos \\homeserver2\videos * /e

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

If possible, put both servers on the same switch to speed up the transfer. The more hardware between the servers the slower the transfer. Comments are per personal experience.

[perbear]

Thanks a million, guys. I do have enough space left in my switch so I will be able to make a transfer when both servers are online. I will let you know when I am done - or if I get into trouble.

[dvn]

@perbear + AJ - Oops...yes, I actually meant to say copy and paste.

I've gotta check out robocopy. I've heard good things about it.

[perbear]

<p>Thanks a million, guys. I do have enough space left in my switch so I will be able to make a transfer when both servers are online. I will let you know when I am done - or if I get into trouble.</p>

Just wanted to make a closure here. Much later I am afraid: In the end I never did come around to copying. The old backups and files rests on the old EX470 and from the moment I plugged in the x510 it has made the new backups. I have tried Vail (betas 1 and 2) on a third machine and now that WHS 2011 is out in RC I really don't know what to do (try it or leave it?) But the copying and pasting never happened.