Setting up a Tape Backup Strategy for your Business
So you know a little bit about tape backup, but you're wondering how to set up a tape backup strategy for your business. Well, let's take a look at 3 simple steps to setting up a complete backup solution.
Step 1: Purchase your tape backup hardware
Firstly, purchase the tape backup hardware. If you need to perform file server backup (or Exchange Server backup or SQL Server backup) for small business, then one of the following tape drives should suffice:
* Travan cartridge drive (up to 10 Gb)
* DDS tape backup drive (up to 20 Gb)
* DDS tape backup drive with hardware data compression (up to 40 Gb)
Then purchase the necessary tapes for your backup rotation strategy. A good Grandfather-Father-Child variation will require 10 tapes or 14 tapes.
Step 2: Purchase your tape backup software
When it comes to tape backup software, one option is to use NTBackup -- the standard Windows backup program. The problem with NTBackup is that it is too hard to use. While an expert should be able to schedule backup jobs using NTBackup, what you really want is something a novice can setup in minutes.
What you really want to do is invest in some quality backup software for your business? Well, if you run a small business, you'll want to avoid those expensive brands! They're designed for large corporations. You should really be looking for software for tape backup that does everything you need, but is affordable at the same.
Look for a backup program that's designed specially for small business instead. Look for a product that is advertised as being simple to use. Remember, you don't want software that requires an expert to run it. Download a trial version of the backup software and try it out for a month or so. If everything works smoothly and you're happy with the product, go ahead and make a purchase!
Step 3: Continually perform your backups
So you've attached the tape drive to your server and installed the software. You've configured the software to run your tape rotation scheme and everything's raring to go. So how do you go about performing backups?
Well, at the end of each working day, put the tape into the drive. And as obvious as this sounds, the correct tape should be placed in the drive. For example, placing the "Week 2" tape instead of the "Week 3" tape in the tape drive will reduce the effectiveness of your tape rotation strategy! Your tape backup software should take care of the rest.
In addition, you should monitor the results of each backup to check for errors. For example, if a tape wears out and data cannot be verified, you need to take action and replace that tape. If some problem prevented a backup from completing, you need to know about it so that you can re-run the backup the next morning.
Be sure to also follow your manufacturer's guidelines for drive cleaning and maintenance.
Final notes
As strange as this seems, you should be at the mercy of your tape backup software. And the more control it exerts over you, the better! Let me explain...
NTBackup assumes that you insert the correct tape and it doesn't inform you of any errors. You are responsible for selecting the tape according to your tape rotation scheme, and the onus is on you to read result logs and discover if any errors occurred.
This means that the file backup process is tedious and prone to human error. A complete solution for tape backup should take charge of your backup strategy for you.
A tape backup software should email tape rotation instructions and the results of backups to you or your secretary, making your task far simpler and minimizing the chance of human error. Select the right server backup software and you're already most of the way to implementing a complete tape backup strategy for your business.
Linus Chang is a backup expert and the lead developer of BackupAssist -- backup software that is simple and affordable, and perfect for small and medium businesses. Protect your Windows servers, including SQL Server and Exchange Server, to tape, REV drive, hard drive, NAS and more, at a fraction of the cost of other backup programs. Transforms NTBackup into a script-free and simple-to-use tool.
Latest News
Fitch: US Consumer Products Sector To Face Challenges in 2009 MarketWatch - Appliances, Home, Hardware and Tools: Credit protection metrics for this sector are trending negative. 2009 will be extremely difficult with expected ... Fitch Enhances US RMBS Surveillance with Launch of 'RMBS Loss Metrics' |
More crime hits Howard Baltimore Sun, United States - The manager at Kendall Hardware store in Clarksville has seen plenty, but violent crime has been almost nonexistent. That's why Sekira was alarmed to learn ... |
More Reliable X360 Hardware Launches Gamespy.com, CA - 1, 2008 Venture Beat's Dean Takahashi has written an article which suggests Microsoft has finally released its new Xbox 360 "Jasper" hardware. ... Xbox 360 Jasper Revision Caught in the Wild Getting a new Xbox 360? Make sure it answers to "Jasper" |
3FN Ups Hardware Swap Capability Web Host Industry Review - Partner with DataPipe – Improve your ROI - Extend your IT resources "Hardware monitoring and replacement services can be the key criteria for successful web ... HostNine Re-Launches New Website |
East Longmeadow Hardware Store Robbed WSHM-TV, MA - By Liz Tufts Employees at the Rocky's Hardware store on North Main Street in East Longmeadow were closing up for the night on Sunday, when they got the ... • Police probe East Longmeadow hardware store robbery East Longmeadow Store Robbed |
Sales of carbon monoxide detectors are on the rise Aspen Times, CO - Ace assistant store manager Mark Janda explains how to install carbon monoxide alarms to Brian Guilander on Monday afternoon at Alpine Ace Hardware. ... Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives Carbon monoxide a threat Detectors key to saving lives |
Research and Markets: The IT Market in Malaysia Report Can Help IT ... MarketWatch - Further, the overall IT market is segmented into software, hardware, services and communication for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. ... |
StudioDave Does A Hardware Review And Meets Ubuntu 8.10 Linux Journal - That machine's audio capabilities were negligible even with external hardware, but it had been serviceable for writing articles and as a portable MIDI ... |
Apple adds DMCA charge to Psystar suit ZDNet - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, in a Hardware 2.0 blog entry, posts excerpts of Apple’s amended complaint, highlighting Psystar’s inclusion of an OS X “restore ... Apple adds DMCA charge to lawsuit against Psystar Apple adds DMCA charge to complaint against Psystar Feds Considering DMCA Anti-Circumvention Exemptions |
 Sify | On Black Friday, the treasures were found off the beaten path Sky Hi Daily News, CO - I needed some hardware to repair my daughter’s Christmas tree. I avoided to big-name store and found a hardware store that had no lines and a store owner ... Video: Money Minute: Black Friday, OPEC, Yahoo Get a jump start on Black Friday deals Local shopping season off to quick pace |
Resources
-
All Computer Wholesale, PC Wholesale, Reseller, Wholesaler
Buy computers, software, Hardware, games and accessories from real wholesale companies, be a computer reseller!