Backups... any advise

[slater]

Hi,

How do other schools run backups? The ideal situation for me would be to have files copied to different drives on either a NAS or another server. This way things are easy and quick to restore. I do have a system like this in place but what software do other schools use to copy files. Obviously I am asking this as I want to maintain permisions on files etc...

I could just do NT Backup or Veritas backup to disk but there is still the pain of having to do restores.

Any advise would be apreciated.

Regards,
Chris

[Michael]

I use NTBackup on Windows Server 2003. Works fine both for tapes and backing up to a NAS.

[westleya]

We use an RM Diskbox and a Sun LTO-3 autochanger for a disk to disk to tape backup system, with Backup Exec 11d. Huge storage on the autochanger.

[teejay]

Depends on amount of data you are backing up, how long you need to store the data and whether you need up to date offsite backups.

We are currently just replacing our backup solution with one that will keep half a terms backups on disk, plus daily backup to tape for offsite storage and we ain't getting much change from £15k

You really need to work your backup solution around realistic targets for restoration of data and also disaster recovery.

You need to ask the following questions, ideally with a decsion from SLT/Governors:

1. In the case of a disaster where we lose all servers, how many days worth of data can we get away with losing. If none, then you need daily offsite backups, if a week then weekly offsite backups.

2. How old can data be to expect instant recovery, rather than a few hours/1-2 days for tape based off-site backup? This affects the amount of disk based storage you need.

3. How long do we need to store tape based backups? Affects how many tapes you need, plus also note that new requirements will soon mean that you have to keep all pupil data for 5 years after they have left.

Don't guess at this, you really need decisions being made and documented higher up the chain as part of the disaster recovery plan.

[slater]

I agree, it's not our decision and will be taking this to SLT.

What software do you use to run these type of backups. Currently I have servers at other schools where I backup to for my offsite backup and have some software called Secure Copy by small wonders software. The software works quite well but is very expensive so for the money it costs i think there must be better software out there.

[nicholab]

We use backup exec 11d as well and an hp msl2024-lto4 we then do a duplicate to tape.

[teejay]

We have used Backup Exec but are moving to Arcserve as it's a lot quicker and once you've got the hang of it is a lot better.

[Dom_]

We used Karen's Replicator for Server to NAS and Server to Server

[gshaw]

Our tape drive went pop recently so keeping with tapes for now and backing up to LTO-3 tapes daily. Changing to a GFS system to keep monthly tapes offsite. Also looking at a disk based system to either do a D2D2T keeping 1 day of data on disk as a quick restore and secondary paranoia backup

Also have DoubleTake replicating to an identical NAS box that we store all our data on, although it needs attention at the mo as it's gone a bit out of sync

[Tony_Mc]

Hi

We use an RM diskbox as D2D2T, onto 4tbs of drive then onto LTO4 tapes in a 16 tape loader.

with this we also use Symantec backup exec 12.5

if you can afford a system like this (cut down for less data and the other way for more data) then it is worth every penny as I honestly sleep better now that we have this solution.

Tony

[gshaw]

How quick does the D2D2T run compared to just backing up to one media? Haven't tried it before and was wondering if it takes a lot longer?

[Tony_Mc]

We back up a total of 9 servers and 1.3tb all over cat5e, the whole backup run for that can take up to 40hours over the weekend for the full (slowest example) then very short incremental backups during the week (20 mins to 4 hours) It would be quicker I suppose on gig network but without experience on that I couldn't say. Restores are MUCH faster, really pleased with this side of things

all in all very happy!

[flyinghaggis]

3. How long do we need to store tape based backups? Affects how many tapes you need, plus also note that new requirements will soon mean that you have to keep all pupil data for 5 years after they have left.

Do you have a link to the document where this is written? When you say retaining all pupil data does it purely refer to coursework/material that's submitted for examination or are there wider reaching implications?

[Tony_Mc]

Do you have a link to the document where this is written? When you say retaining all pupil data does it purely refer to coursework/material that's submitted for examination or are there wider reaching implications?

from what I understand if there are any kind of child protection or SEN it needs to be stored for the life of the pupil, that is how i understand that side of it.

[david12345]

hi has anyone used synetrix secure backup over broadband in london(LGFL) ? it does a full backup then nightly incremental ones and claims not to interfere with day time broadband speed? It includes sims data.Anyone used it?