Network Backup - What are the three most important things I need to do?

To be truly effective at network backup, you must cover all three “vectors”. These three areas are first, Classic Data Backup (documents, email, databases, etc.), second, Imaging or Snapshots of physical or virtual machines, and finally, an Off-Site component in order to get you started on the road to business continuity and disaster recovery.

Classic Data Backup
This is the “classic” backup that many of you actually are performing today for your network backups. Whether you have automated backups to tape through software like Backup Exec, a Windows Backup job  to USB drive, something running to an off-site location or perhaps even a combination of the  above, you are probably backing up at least some of your data. Are your backups “granular” enough to restore just one email message? Can you roll back to earlier versions of your files? Do you have ability to backup data from one server to the tape or hard drive(s) connected to your primary server? Do you have the time (backup windows) to get it all done? Even the simple stuff can be complex.

Imaging or Snapshots
So now let’s talk about getting backups of the actual installation and configuration of your network. That means your Windows Servers and Active Directory, Exchange, SQL, and other servers. This includes the configuration of your network (users, groups, shares, permissions), and other site specific details that make your network yours. There are many further details to consider as well. Do you have frequent enough image backups? Where are these backups located; if they are only on the drive of the server backed up, what happens if it is gone? And will they restore to “dissimilar” hardware, so that they will work on the new server you will need to buy after that fire?Albuquerque Network Backup

Off-Site
Let’s assume you have a complete data backup and configuration or imaging solution in place and that you can count on it when you need. So what happens when the entire server and its connected USB backup drive has been stolen? Or if the building has been soaked by the sprinkler system that put out the server room fire? It all comes down to off-site data, be it on tapes, drives or that Internet based remote backup you do. Tapes are easy in this sense, as they can simply be transported on a regular schedule off-site. Disc and other strategies generally require you to replicate data off-site to another site or to an Internet based service.

Device Questions

Of course, you have to have some sort of device as a backup “target” to start. Tape is still a good option for small business, despite what you may have heard. Tape is faster than most disc-based options (up to 250G/hour) and cheaper ($50/Terabyte) than most other options.
Being removable and tough, tapes are easier to transport off-site as well. Backing up to disc does offer some nice advantages. Hard drives are cheaper than tape drives, though NAS (network attached storage) can be pricey. Disc backup is easier and faster to use once you actually have to perform that critical restore. And finally, disc backup provides some features (data deduplication, for example) that tape does not.

Three Needs, One Strategy
There is no one answer to all of these questions, but with a little help, you can stitch together a full solution. Symantec’s Backup Exec SBS Suite includes the ability to execute data backup to disc or tape, including Exchange, SQL, and Sharepoint. Also included in thepackage is the imaging capability to capture the configuration of your network and servers with imaging and recovery to different server hardware.
Complemented with an off-site strategy, this gives you the basic tools you need. But tools alone are not a plan. If you are far enough along to be considering such things as communicating with employees in the case of disaster, or locating a secondary business site,you need a plan for that. Business Continuity and Disaster recovery planning comprises much more than just a backup strategy.

Details and More
Is your data encrypted or password protected on the media you backup to in case of loss or  theft? How often do you do your imaging and can you use it to bring up different servers if  you lose your existing ones? How about restores; are you testing them? How do you manage your backup media, secure it and make sure it is available when you need it? And how do you monitor all of these backups to make sure they get done?
Over the past few years, newer options such as continuous data protection (CDP) and business disaster recovery (BDR) devices have arrived as well. CDP provides continuous backups of your data right as it changes; no more scheduled backups. BDR devices can virtualize your existing server(s) and keep you going in the event of a loss of one or more of your servers. These BDR devices can reside at your site or be hosted off-site as well.

Planning and executing a truly effective and comprehensive backup strategy is just one of the many services that Net Sciences provides our customers. We can help you make sure that you have all the bases covered and work with you to design and refine your disaster recovery planning. Meet with us and discuss your backup, business continuity and disaster recovery strategy. At Net Sciences, we watch over your data so that you don’t have to.