I am coming into this fresh and new to Linux.
I have read that Debian has package built in for backup server function.
I just wanted to get a feel for what is a fairly easy and reliable backup solution for backing up a dozen Windows PCs in a peer to peer network?
Would I need to install an client software on each PC so that it can access the My Document folder and anything else to be back up?
Looking for what is common practice in the Linux OS flavor.
One this is that it must be automated via schedule as IT person is not there every day. This would be a PC yet to be built with OS Hard drive and some sort of raid drive for backups.

Thank you in advance.

My advice would be to get a decent NAS box, something like a NetGear ReadyNAS 4200, with spare drives and a good UPS, and use that for backups rather then a Linux box + some home made RAID setup. I have a lot of experience with the rack mount NetGear solutions and they play well with Linux, Mac and Windoze. They are easy to setup and there's a vocal community of users at their forums.

I'm not a Windoze admin, but I know a lot of people who use MS's free Sync Tool for backups, but there are probably better solutions.

Also, if you simply need to backup the My Documents folder, it's cheaper and easier, and maybe even more robust to use something like DropBox. I know a lot of small companies that go this route.

Sugarsync is also very good for this.