Server Backup
On-premise server backup using Acronis or Veeam. Image-based backup with incremental scheduling and retention policies. Covers Windows Server, Linux, and hypervisors.
Key highlights
- Image-based and incremental backups
- Windows Server, Linux, and hypervisor support
- Flexible retention and scheduling policies
- Granular restore at file or VM level
A server without a backup is a server in danger
Servers are the critical infrastructure of your business: file storage, email, databases, line-of-business applications. If a server fails and you have no backup, you lose all the data on it. not just recent files, but your entire operational history. the cost of recovering lost data (if it's even possible) is far higher than the cost of backing it up regularly.
Server backup is often done manually or with consumer tools (USB external drives, basic Windows backup), which are unreliable and unmonitored. Sentire's server backup service uses enterprise backup software to automatically back up every server, verify every backup, and store copies off-site so that a disaster at your location can't destroy both your server and your backups.
Data loss is sudden and final
A hard drive failure gives no warning in most cases. one day the drive works, the next day it won't spin up. if you wait until failure to think about backups, you're too late. the only defence is continuous, verified backup. Sentire automates this so you don't have to remember, and we verify that every backup actually works.
Image-based backup vs file backup
Image-based backup (Acronis, Veeam)
An image-based backup creates a complete snapshot of a server. everything. the operating system, every application, every file, every configuration. if disaster strikes, we can restore the entire server image to the same hardware (or similar hardware) and it comes back up exactly as it was. alternatively, we can restore individual files or folders from the image if you only lost specific data. this flexibility is powerful.
File-level backup
File backup saves only the files and folders you specify, not the operating system or applications. it's simpler to manage but less flexible. if the OS or an application gets corrupted and you only have file backups, you can't easily restore the whole system. file backups are useful for cloud storage (Microsoft 365 backups) but less useful for on-premise servers.
We recommend image-based backup as the primary method for all servers. it gives you the most flexibility and the fastest restore options.
Acronis vs Veeam
Acronis Cyber Backup
Acronis is a reliable, cost-effective backup solution suitable for small to medium businesses. it handles physical servers, virtual machines, and even endpoints (laptops and desktops). Acronis is widely used in Kenya and has local support partners. we often recommend Acronis for clients just starting a formal backup programme because it's straightforward to deploy and manage.
Veeam Backup and Replication
Veeam is the market leader for virtual machine backup. if you run Hyper-V or VMware, Veeam is often the best choice. it has powerful features like instant recovery (boot a VM directly from a backup while you repair the original), granular restore (restore specific files from a VM backup without restoring the whole VM), and excellent compression. Veeam is more sophisticated than Acronis, and costs more, but for businesses with large virtual environments, the value is clear.
Either platform works with Sentire's backup and disaster recovery strategy. we help you choose based on your infrastructure and requirements.
Scheduling and retention policies
Backups run on a schedule you define: commonly daily for full backups or daily incrementals with weekly fulls. incremental backups only back up data that's changed since the previous backup, so they're fast and use less storage. retention policies define how long backups are kept: typically 4 weeks on-site and 12 months in the cloud. this means you can restore from any point in the last year if needed.
We configure retention to balance recovery capability with cost. keeping backups for too long is expensive. keeping them for too short is risky if a problem goes undetected for weeks. twelve months is a sensible middle ground for most businesses.
Backup storage strategies
On-site storage
Recent backups (typically the last 4 weeks) are stored on a NAS or external storage at your office. this allows fast restore if you need to recover a file or rebuild a server quickly. on-site storage is fast but vulnerable to the same disaster (fire, theft, power failure) that destroyed the server in the first place.
Off-site storage
Older backups and critical full backups are copied to cloud storage (Acronis Cloud, Azure, or Microsoft Azure). this protects against total loss. if your office burns down, your backups are safe in the cloud and you can restore everything remotely. we typically keep 12 months of backups off-site.
Backup monitoring and alerts
We monitor your backup jobs continuously. a backup that fails silently is worthless. every backup is logged, and if a backup fails or runs late, you're alerted immediately. as part of Sentire's managed IT service, we receive these alerts and investigate. a failed backup gets fixed within hours, not days.
Disaster recovery planning
Backups are one component of disaster recovery planning. a backup ensures you can recover your data. a disaster recovery plan ensures you can get systems back online quickly after a disaster. Together they form a complete protection strategy. we help you document recovery procedures and test them regularly so that when a real disaster strikes, you know exactly what to do.
Automated backups you can trust
Sentire's server backup service removes backup responsibility from your IT team. backups run automatically on a schedule, stored both on-site and off-site, monitored continuously, and tested monthly. when a restore is needed, it usually takes minutes, not hours. that reliability and simplicity is what you pay for.
Also in Backup & Disaster Recovery
Cloud Backup
Off-site backup to Azure or Acronis Cloud. Ensures data survives a site disaster. Also covers Microsoft 365 which Microsoft does NOT back up natively.
Hyper-V & VMware Backup
Acronis Cyber Protect backs up Hyper-V and VMware virtual machines at the hypervisor level, agentless, incremental, and replicated off-site for complete VM-level recovery.
Disaster Recovery Planning
Defining RTO and RPO, documenting recovery procedures, designing failover architecture. A written DR plan that actually works when needed.
Veeam ONE, Backup Monitoring & Analytics
Veeam ONE monitors your Veeam backup infrastructure in real time, detecting job failures, forecasting storage growth, and generating compliance reports before problems become incidents.
Restore Testing and Verification
Monthly restore tests on every backup job. Documented evidence that backups actually work. Most businesses never test until a real disaster. Sentire tests every month.
Get it done right
Let Sentire handle your Server Backup.
Our engineers are based in Nairobi and support businesses across Kenya. No lengthy contracts. Just reliable, expert IT delivered as a service.