Can you restore data from your backup?
Copyright 2005 Per Strandberg
Many users don't test their backups. This is because they
don't take the time or they don't know the steps to take.
This means that there is a risk that the restoration of
their system will not work nor can they be sure that they
are able to retrieve individual files.
You should use a backup program which gives you a full
report with verification which highlights possible errors
when the backup is completed.
If the backup is taken from a server, then the backup
administrator should get an email backup error report.
To test the backup, try to recover some of the files from
the backup. In case the backup is spanning over several
consecutive CD's, DVD's or tapes then examine some files by
restoring them from the last tape or CD.
"Spanning" by the way, is the term used to describe backup
that can’t be stored on one CD or tape but has to be
divided and stored on more than one.
Special consideration must be given to open databases. Many
data backup products are not able to backup open databases.
If that is the case you have to look for special backup
solutions.
Tragically many users who don’t test their backups find
that data can’t be recreated from their backups. This even
despite that backups have been made and everything seems to
be OK. Tapes may be bad or the setup parameters are set
wrong. This is especially true if the backup is made with
Ntbackup, the standard backup utility included in Windows.
Note: In Windows XP Home edition this program is not
included in the installation. Larn more at
http://www.data-backup-and-storage.com/backup-windows-xp.htm
l
One problem with Ntbackup is that it is hard to use and it
is difficult to set up a backup schedule.
There exist other alternatives to choose from. Some are
expensive. Often with a multitude of functions. These
products are targeted to the high end corporate market and
should be avoided by small and medium businesses.
Backup should be easy to do and the instruction easy to
understand.
NTBackup doesn't gives good enough information on possible
errors. It's easy to make something wrong.
If you use a tape backup as your backup media then there
are several things you can do to reduce these risks and
make the backup safe.
1. Make backup with verification.
Use a backup product which verifies the backup. The
verification will take up extra backup time, but it is well
worth doing.
2. Tapes rotation.
Use several tapes and rotate them according to a set
rotation time schedule. There are several different
rotation models you can use.
3. Keep the backup at a safe place.
Keep the backup in another building to protect the data
from disaster such as fire or flooding. One option is that
one employee keeps backups at home. The place used for
storage should be fire protected and burglar proof. The
location should have a normal stable temperature and should
have no humidity or electric fields.
4. Maintain your equipment.
Maintain the tape driver and keep it free from dust. Make
sure that you can get service of the hardware.
5. Keep track of the expiration date.
This is something you need to watch if the tapes are in
heavy use. All tapes have a limited life time and will wear
out over times. Normally this is when the tape has been
used well over 1000 times.
6, Test the backup at regular intervals.
Test the backup by restoring files as described above. As
an alternative you can restore files on to a different
server or computer.
Per Strandberg work wirh data backup and security. He
operates a data backup information site at
http://www.data-backup-and-storage.com
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