BackupPC is a free, open source package for doing backup to disk for
WinXX/Linux using Samba.  BackupPC version 1.01 has been released
on SourceForge, see http://backuppc.sourceforge.net.

Key features are pooling of identical files (big savings in
server disk space), handling DHCP clients (eg, laptops that are
intermittently connected to the network and whose IP addresses
change), and no client software.  Features are summarized below.

We use BackupPC to backup 100+ laptops to a linux server.  We use
commercial software on the backend to backup all our servers to
tape.  This hybrid setup works well for us.

BackupPC doesn't (yet) have all the fancy features of some commercial
solutions, but it is good value for money :).

Craig

BackupPC features:

  - A clever pooling scheme minimizes disk storage. Identical files
    across multiple backups of the same or different PCs are stored only
    once resulting in substantial savings in disk storage.
  - One example of disk use: 65 latops with average 3.2GB each.
    Storing one full backup and two incremental backups per laptop
    is around 240GB of raw data.  But pooling of identical files
    requires only 87GB.
  - No client-side software is needed on WinXX machines. The standard smb
    protocol is used to extract backup data. On linux clients, the
    industry-standard Samba package is used to provide smb shares
    that are used for backup.
  - A powerful http/cgi user interface allows administrators to view log
    files, configuration, current status and allows users to initiate and
    cancel backups and browse and restore files from backups.
  - Supports mobile environments where laptops are only
    intermittently connected to the network and have dynamic IP
    addresses (DHCP).
  - Flexible configuration parameters allow multiple backups to be performed
    in parallel, specification of which shares to backup, which directories
    to backup or not backup, various schedules for full and incremental
    backups, schedules for email reminders to users and so on.  Configuration
    parameters can be set system-wide or also on a per-PC basis.
  - Users are sent periodic email reminders if their PC has not
    recently been backed up.  Email content, timing and policies
    are configurable.
  - Tested on Linux and Solaris hosts, and Linux, Win95, Win98 and
    Win2000 clients.
  - Detailed documentation.
  - Open Source hosted by SourceForge and freely available under GPL.