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How to Select Data Backup Software for Your Server

Data backup software is an extremely important consideration for a crucial server. In the event of a disaster, you want to be able to reliably recover data from a downed server. In addition, you will probably want to have the data backup process execute automatically. Most importantly, you will want your data backup software to be aware of the server applications running on your server, and to be able to backup the data on the server without requiring you to stop any of the server applications. These considerations can mean the difference between saving the day, and standing in the unemployment line.




Data reliability is by far the most important aspect of any data backup software.  What good is a backup if it cannot be restored?  You should select a backup software which contains the ability to verify that the backup procedure was completed successfully, and which also contains a feature of either notifying you if the data backup was not successful, or which will automatically run the backup process again.  A popular backup program which contains this feature is Backup Exec, which is made by Veritas.

In addition to data reliability, you want your data backup software to also be able to run a backup job automatically and independently.  If you are using a tape autoloader, you will also want your backup program to be able to control that autoloader.  The reason for needing these features is simple- the less time you spend switching out tapes (or clicking “next”), the more time you can do something productive.  Since many System Administrators spend quite a bit of their time with backup routines, if a backup program can automatically run the backup, that will allow more productive use of available time.  A popular backup software which supports many tape autoloaders and automatic scheduling of backups is Arkeia Smart Backup, by Arkeia Software.

Yet another useful feature in data backup software for a server is the ability for a backup software to be aware of the services running on that particular server.  This enables the server to be backed up, while the server is still being used.  For instance, Microsoft Exchange will crash if a backup software simply backs up the raw mail database.  In addition, restores will not work on that database if the files are just simply copied to a backup file.  However, if the software that is used to backup the server is aware of the Exchange portion of the server, that software will be able to backup Exchange's internal database successfully.  Other examples of applications which cannot have their data simply copied from one location to another include Oracle, DB2, PostgreSQL, and Lotus.  An example of a backup software which is able to backup data for most of these applications is NovaBACKUP, by Novastor.

Keeping all of these considerations in mind will help to create a backup strategy which will keep the data on your server secure.  Perhaps one of the most ignored tips on creating a data backup plan, however, is the need to store a data backup off site.  It does not matter which data backup software you use, if the building containing the backup tapes burns down- and you have no off site backups.  Keeping data off site will give you a way to restore your server, should the worst ha Keeping all of these considerations in mind will help to create a backup strategy which will keep the data on your server secure.  Perhaps one of the most ignored tips on creating a data backup plan, however, is the need to store a data backup off site.  It does not matter which data backup software you use, if the building containing the backup tapes burns down- and you have no off site backups.  Keeping data off site will give you a way to restore your server, should the worst happen.







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