Media Choices to Backup Data
Tape Drives are expensive, time consuming, and purchased on a per-gigabyte basis. They are most often used for large multi-user computer systems and personal computers. They are removable and easy to take off-site. Unfortunately, this method relies on human intervention.
DVDs and Pen Drives are compact, physically resilient rewritable or permanent optical discs, but are susceptible to damage and theft. They are less expensive than tape backup systems, and are fast to read and removable.
Hard disks are the most expensive and offer the fastest backup medium. The external drives are heavier and larger than tape drives or DVDs, but are also removable.
Most commercial outfits backup use tape storage such as DLT, but this requires a person to monitor the system, and can become cumbersome tasks. Another method RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) can adopt different configurations of RAID; some known as RAID 0,1,5,10. RAID 1 uses two hard disk drives. Drive B is an exact replica of Drive A. In the event of failure, there is still one drive available and working. While it is ideal for small businesses, it is impractical if the system is stolen. RAID is not usually a practical alternative for a home user because of the expense and technical expertise required to set it up.
Offsite data backup is relatively inexpensive, efficient and accessible remotely. The data is backed up by a primary server that is replicated to a secondary server where the data is encrypted and stored in a secure data center 24/7. Large companies store tapes at secure places far away. Modern backups in the cloud offer an easy and affordable way to secure backups from fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other disasters, and the special software required to access cloud storage is unlikely to get a virus.
Dress Rehearsals
Experts recommend verifying that backups are working properly and that backed up data is really on the disks or tapes. When was the last time you checked that your backup system was operating the way it is meant? It’s not enough to just check if the data is backed up; you need to test the restored data in the environment that you prepared for this contingency. The main reason for failed restoration of data is that the systems have not been tested regularly.
Depending on the IT department, testing should be done every two to six months depending on the importance of the data and the test should simulate the worst case scenario as in a virus or fire where all data has been wiped out.
Think of these rehearsals when you practice restoring your databases and user files in a virtual test environment as what fire departments do – be ready for a disaster just in case and rehearse for the possibility
Tape Drives are expensive, time consuming, and purchased on a per-gigabyte basis. They are most often used for large multi-user computer systems and personal computers. They are removable and easy to take off-site. Unfortunately, this method relies on human intervention.
DVDs and Pen Drives are compact, physically resilient rewritable or permanent optical discs, but are susceptible to damage and theft. They are less expensive than tape backup systems, and are fast to read and removable.
Hard disks are the most expensive and offer the fastest backup medium. The external drives are heavier and larger than tape drives or DVDs, but are also removable.
Most commercial outfits backup use tape storage such as DLT, but this requires a person to monitor the system, and can become cumbersome tasks. Another method RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) can adopt different configurations of RAID; some known as RAID 0,1,5,10. RAID 1 uses two hard disk drives. Drive B is an exact replica of Drive A. In the event of failure, there is still one drive available and working. While it is ideal for small businesses, it is impractical if the system is stolen. RAID is not usually a practical alternative for a home user because of the expense and technical expertise required to set it up.
Offsite data backup is relatively inexpensive, efficient and accessible remotely. The data is backed up by a primary server that is replicated to a secondary server where the data is encrypted and stored in a secure data center 24/7. Large companies store tapes at secure places far away. Modern backups in the cloud offer an easy and affordable way to secure backups from fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other disasters, and the special software required to access cloud storage is unlikely to get a virus.
Dress Rehearsals
Experts recommend verifying that backups are working properly and that backed up data is really on the disks or tapes. When was the last time you checked that your backup system was operating the way it is meant? It’s not enough to just check if the data is backed up; you need to test the restored data in the environment that you prepared for this contingency. The main reason for failed restoration of data is that the systems have not been tested regularly.
Depending on the IT department, testing should be done every two to six months depending on the importance of the data and the test should simulate the worst case scenario as in a virus or fire where all data has been wiped out.
Think of these rehearsals when you practice restoring your databases and user files in a virtual test environment as what fire departments do – be ready for a disaster just in case and rehearse for the possibility
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