Backup strategies - please discuss

[SteveLaw]

Or just buy a tape autoloader for say 1500 pounds. For even better scalability you can get a SAS autoloader that can scale to two drives and about 16 slots. Now i know that's a lot of money for offloading data from a NAS device, so I understand why it's not that attractive.

 

It's not for offloading from a NAS, it would be a NAS or a tape system, or individual disks. For the price of a tape autoloader I could set up a removable disk system and have money left for a couple of PCs or switches, or countless other things that I could really do with now or may need soon. (Although I'd forgotten about those to be honest so thanks, I'll bung it on the list )

 

Of course, again, in an ideal situation an autoloader would be great, but this isn't an ideal situation unfortunately. It's an RC school with a very limited budget. I want to get them the best bang for the buck obviously, but at the end of the day we need to backup our data and we need something in place pretty quickly.

 

Anyway, look at the time! I need to start writing stuff down! (Keep 'em coming though, cheers)

Edited October 5, 2008 by SteveLaw

[SteveLaw]

Okay, first draft, anything glaringly wrong or misleading (or missing)? (I envision that this is more like notes for a face-to-face meeting with some of the SMT, but who knows, if it can work on it's own...) I also intend to include a few sample prices

 

Backup options

 

1)Tape

2)NAS (Network Attached Storage)

3)NAS with Tape

4)Removable Hard Disks

5)Off-site (Internet storage)

Tape

Magnetic tape cartridges. Have been used for storage/backup for around fifty years.

 

Advantages:

• Relatively cheap media
  
• Comparatively small/light - easily stored/transported off-site - disaster-proof
  

Disadvantages:

• Relatively expensive drives
  
• Slow, sequential backup/restore
  
• Tapes need replacing regularly
  
• Capacity...
  
• Lack of scalability – to use bigger tapes you need a new drive (can use an autoloader and simply use more smaller tapes, but this adds additional initial cost)
  

 

Network Attached Storage

Essentially a storage server. A computer with minimal processing and operating system used as a shared storage area. Backup over the network.

 

Advantages:

• Can be shared by any computer on the network
  
• Can be used for more than just backup (file sharing/media server etc.)
  
• Much faster than tape (so can backup/restore more data in shorter time)
  
• Components can be upgraded to allow more flexible scalability
  

Disadvantages:

• Not disaster-proof! (although can be located in different building for some protection)
  
• Physical size/location
  
• Affected by network performance/outages
  

NAS with Tape

A NAS server with tape backup. Backups stored on NAS for fast retrieval but critical data saved to tape for removal off-site.

Advantages:

• Combines most advantages (along with some disadvantages) of both tape and NAS
  
• Most expensive option
  

Disadvantages:

• Physical size/location
  
• Added complexity
  

 

Removable Hard Disks

Removable SATA hard drives with hot-swap bay.

 

Advantages:

• Cheapest option
  
• Scalability – replace individual drives as and when needed to increase capacity
  
• Fastest backup option
  
• Disaster-proof (store disk off-site/in safe)
  

Disadvantages:

• Larger/heavier than tapes
  
• Physical handling of disks introduces small risk of failure/corruption
  

Off-site (Internet Storage)

Data is copied to off-site server over the internet.

 

Advantages:

• Most disaster-proof option
  

 

Disadvantages:

• Slowest
  
• Most expensive
  
• Very limited capacity (will only backup most crucial data)
  

Edited October 5, 2008 by SteveLaw

[maniac]

Looks good to me. Infact that could be a good entry for the wiki actually as you've summed them all up nicely there.

 

As you mentioned I would get some costings for each, not just how much the hardware costs initially, but the running costs per year as well. Also factor into it your time in setting the system up, and how many hours a week might be needed to check the system, change tapes and drives etc. It all adds up.

 

Mike.

[SteveLaw]

Looks good to me. Infact that could be a good entry for the wiki actually as you've summed them all up nicely there.

 

As you mentioned I would get some costings for each, not just how much the hardware costs initially, but the running costs per year as well. Also factor into it your time in setting the system up, and how many hours a week might be needed to check the system, change tapes and drives etc. It all adds up.

 

Mike.

 

Good points. (Wiki? Okay, if people agree, thanks)

 

I just thought of more - installing tape drive/SATA bay will mean taking the server down to fit it, NAS is "plug and play" (as is USB external drive, which I didn't mention as it's not a "serious" option imo). I can plug those factors into set-up "cost".

Edited October 5, 2008 by SteveLaw

[gwendes]

http://wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/archive/2008-08-26-the-perfect-computer-backup-system-is-still-lacking.html Edited October 7, 2008 by gwendes

[pete]

The other downside of the online backup is you're at the mercy of your internet provider.

 

...and of the course: The Tao Of Backup

 

 

For the people using Openfiler to backup up, how are you mounting the backup volume? If you use rsync, does Openfiler preserve the windows security info? I'm considering using iSCSI targets for speed, but wondered if there was a better way.

Edited October 7, 2008 by pete

[SteveLaw]

Just to keep you informed I've just taken delivery of my hot-swap bay and 8 SATA HDDs.

 

The school wanted me to try and get our online storage allocation increased (which, apparently, county agreed to!) and leave it at that. I gave all my best arguments, but in the end the person in charge of the LA system told our school manager that if she was in my position she would be saying exactly the same thing. Funnily enough, they approved the purchase of my drives the same day. (And I think it won me a few brownie points at the same time!)

 

I'm now trying to find the best time to actually fit it as the server will need to go down to fit the drive bay (although not for long obviously). I'm hoping I can do it tomorrow after school, but I can't stay late as the wife is away for the weekend...

 

But anyway, thanks for the help you all gave me in helping to focus on the issue.