At our office we backup our data, probably not as much as we should, but we do. I know i should backup but I don’t have the time or I just forget. Lots of excuses for not doing what we all know we should. And generally, we do not realize how important it is until, well it is too late. This past week taught me that lesson.
After having a tree fall behind the office and a leaky roof, I assumed the worse was over. Until that is, I tried to pull some backed up data off one of my backups. I use a Media Server as the backup with four bays for the system. That system sits on a single battery and brown out controlled power unit that is plugged into a single connection in the wall that run independently to the junction box. That being said, one would assume that power wise it was well insulated and protected. When I could not get access to my data I looked and saw where one of the drives had gone bad. Not a problem they were copying each other, only that drive that was bad was where the server OS was. Okay not a problem, data is damaged but not lost and besides that, I have another backup.
Plugged the second backup in to realize that the circuit board was completely fried. No power to the unit at all. The drive was not spinning - okay not a problem change it out to another circuit board. This task being accomplished I was qick to realize that the problem with the board was also with the hard drive. So strike number 2.
Now at this point you would assume that everything is lost, but you would be wrong. For there is a third backup of the data. That being said, it was an unfortunate series of events that made me realize that most of the time, 3 backups would be overkill. The events that transpired being what they were, I realized that 3 was just right.
Do you backup your data? If so, do you take it offsite? And do you back it up one more time for good measure, just in case? If not, consider it. And implement a process for getting your systems back up in a timely manner. If it takes 4 weeks to restore your data, then the backup is pretty useless. But if not, you should be able to get back up within 8 to 12 hours. Let that be the benchmark. Try a restoration one day or offsite restore. Make sure that what you are backing up is data and not programs.
Online solutions such as Carbonite and some of the less well-known solutions can provide online backup but they do tend to take a while. To backup a 13 gig system took 5 days with Carbonite. From that point on it does get faster as it is only looking for changes but that means that it would take 5 days to restore the data or more. The pro is that the system is cheap, takes the fuss and effort out of your backup and as long as you are online ensures that you will be backedup.
Tapes and drives are another popular item for backups. The pros are you have good control and faster recovery in the event of a problem. Incrimental backups are easier. Cons include the cost of the unit and the tapes. There is also the problem of who will take the tape off-site. Leaving it next to the server or in the drawer can end up being a real problem if you have a major damage situation such as a fire or breakin.
Regardless of the method, check the backup periodically. Never assume it is working. Try a restore - both for time and effort. Have an offsite plan in the event of a catastrophe. Be prepared for the worse and whatever happens you will be fine. If you would like to have some help with the right solution for your backup, of course we would love to help.
After having a tree fall behind the office and a leaky roof, I assumed the worse was over. Until that is, I tried to pull some backed up data off one of my backups. I use a Media Server as the backup with four bays for the system. That system sits on a single battery and brown out controlled power unit that is plugged into a single connection in the wall that run independently to the junction box. That being said, one would assume that power wise it was well insulated and protected. When I could not get access to my data I looked and saw where one of the drives had gone bad. Not a problem they were copying each other, only that drive that was bad was where the server OS was. Okay not a problem, data is damaged but not lost and besides that, I have another backup.
Plugged the second backup in to realize that the circuit board was completely fried. No power to the unit at all. The drive was not spinning - okay not a problem change it out to another circuit board. This task being accomplished I was qick to realize that the problem with the board was also with the hard drive. So strike number 2.
Now at this point you would assume that everything is lost, but you would be wrong. For there is a third backup of the data. That being said, it was an unfortunate series of events that made me realize that most of the time, 3 backups would be overkill. The events that transpired being what they were, I realized that 3 was just right.
Do you backup your data? If so, do you take it offsite? And do you back it up one more time for good measure, just in case? If not, consider it. And implement a process for getting your systems back up in a timely manner. If it takes 4 weeks to restore your data, then the backup is pretty useless. But if not, you should be able to get back up within 8 to 12 hours. Let that be the benchmark. Try a restoration one day or offsite restore. Make sure that what you are backing up is data and not programs.
Online solutions such as Carbonite and some of the less well-known solutions can provide online backup but they do tend to take a while. To backup a 13 gig system took 5 days with Carbonite. From that point on it does get faster as it is only looking for changes but that means that it would take 5 days to restore the data or more. The pro is that the system is cheap, takes the fuss and effort out of your backup and as long as you are online ensures that you will be backedup.
Tapes and drives are another popular item for backups. The pros are you have good control and faster recovery in the event of a problem. Incrimental backups are easier. Cons include the cost of the unit and the tapes. There is also the problem of who will take the tape off-site. Leaving it next to the server or in the drawer can end up being a real problem if you have a major damage situation such as a fire or breakin.
Regardless of the method, check the backup periodically. Never assume it is working. Try a restore - both for time and effort. Have an offsite plan in the event of a catastrophe. Be prepared for the worse and whatever happens you will be fine. If you would like to have some help with the right solution for your backup, of course we would love to help.
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