Backups through VPNs often fail due to lack of ability to use multicasting, especially with the Ghost Console. Sometimes Ghostcasting will work. Expect data transfer rates to be very slow, however. Additionally, imaging tasks set up like this are more prone to fail to to network interference.

Randall do you have any recommended solutions for system & file backups of a workforce that is completely remote? The goal is to have the backups written to a central server so that in the event of a failure staff can restore the system to a new laptop before being shipped to the user. We've thought of using Norton Ghost 14 since it runs without a reboot and supports backing up to shares and FTP servers. Only draw back is the licensing for Ghost 14 would be higher than using GSS.

Thanks,
Dan

So long as we are speaking of Windows XP and Windows Vista machines, you can use the Ghost Console to execute Hot Imaging tasks. This may be the best solution for you. This does not require a reboot. Just create the Image Create Task as normal, then check the box "Clone using Volume Snapshot (Hot Imaging)". Since the imagimng is happening in the WIndows environemnt, the image should be able to be written wherever you would like.