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Internet Backup Solutions

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by djm1970

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How secure are Internet backups? Does anyone have a Internet Backup company that they would recommend. I have a couple of NT 4.0 servers and an Exchange server that I would like to have backed up each night. It would be about 2-3 Gigs per night.

16 replies

by vintage

As we speak over a rather critical environment, I would suggest the use of a SAN in this application. As you create a specific network for the back-up the bandwith on your regular network is not reduced by the back-up load. Normally every server is connected to a switch that is connected to a tape-library. However, as you only have to back-up around 3 Gigs (very little), there will be a long ROI.

I suggest that you create a back-up server on NT/2K and that you get 'client agents' for other servers (NetWare, Solaris, HP-UX, ...). The back-up server should have a tape library (HP Storage, Storagetek, ...) with at least a capacity of 7 tapes (that way you only have to change the tapes weekly).

As you want to back-up your exchange server, you ned an 'exchange agent'. If you do not have this agent your exchange server will not be back-upped.

If you have any other specific software, you also need an agent for this software (Oracle - Informix - SAP R/3 - ...).

If there are any files in use during back-up, these files will not be back-upped, however if you get an 'Open File Option' these files will be back-upped.

Another handy option is the 'Intelligent Disaster Recovery'. This option helps you reboot your servers within 30 minutes after a complete crash.

If you decide to use a tapelibrary with more than one drive you need an 'autoloader-option', otherwise the second or third drive won't be recognized by the software.

All mentioned products are distributed by Computer Associates and Veritas Software. We have a very good experience of Veritas, but CA will also do the trick.

by djm1970

This does nothing to get the data offsite. That is why I am interested in Internet backup solutions.

by james_randy

Get a removable hard drive. It has a docking bay & the drive can easily slide in and out. Run the backup, pull the drive out, & take it home with you.

by djm1970

I am interested in Internet backup solutions. The idea is to get the data offsite without having to have someone take a tape or hard drive home with them.

by djm1970

You are a fountain of information. Why post an answer if you are not going to give any help at all. Of course it is only as secure as the encryption method used. Can you suggest an Internet backup solution that uses an encryption method that is secure and reliable?

by zchris

i think the data-volumes is too much to upload it over night. try to backup locally with tapes or disks.

by djm1970

I am already backing up to tape. The idea is to get the data offsite without paying for a tape service. Does anyone use an Internet Backup service?

by flare

There is a product called livevault, it allows for the backup of only the bit changes on the system. The product is marketed by livevault, but I believe that Iron Mountain will allow uses to backup to their site using the Livevault software. Becauseonly the bit changes are sent, the data is small and secure. We have successfully backed up 20 servers including a 400 user exchange server to a remote site over a 56k leased line. Livevault usesrealtime backup, so restores can be done to a slice intime. ie. I would like the database restored to how it was at 3:15pm yesterday.

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