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Alternative to tape backups
I am in need of finding an alternative to tape based backup solutions. We have been using idealstor bantum and idealstor terralyte backup drives which are a rb2d solution and we need to find a different manufacturer as the idealstor manufacturers are hopeless
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That would be best. If you are going disk-based (or offsite), just remember you don't have to back everything up forever. Make sure everyone understands what SARBOX requires (if you are in US) and get upper management buy-in as to what you are keeping and for how long.
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We are in the UK - think the Data Protection Act is similar but what would you recommend as a removable backup solution, alternative to tape drives?
Most removeable backup solutions aren't much better than tape, more fragile, and harder to store offsite. Some sort of SAN made up of cheap disks, or even JBOD will work as interm storage, provided that you have some form of redundancy offsite.
As for what to backup, as long as upper management signs off on a policy saying what is supposed to be backed up and how long its kept, at least it won't be your neck on the line.
As for what to backup, as long as upper management signs off on a policy saying what is supposed to be backed up and how long its kept, at least it won't be your neck on the line.
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Precisley what I was saying. The reason people continue to use tape is because they continue to be durable. They used to be relatively cheap as well, but with the dropping price of storage and third party long term storage vendors, you have to figure out the cost off buying and storing your own tapes versus alternatives.
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Hi guys thanks for your comments most of our cusotmers backups are just 1 - 2 weeks rotation and maybe then 1 at the end of the month so there will constantly keep getting over written. Some of the new back disk solutions come in small caddys sat on a small padded suspensions system which helps with the rough handling. The Tandber RDX systems seem to guarantee there hardrives for 2 years. The reason why were trying to move away from tapes is 75% of all our hardware call outs are tape drices due to wear and tear dirt dust etc, with the backup to disk there is lees moving parts and im my eyes would seem alot more reliable. Unfortunatly the suppliers were using at the momment seem to be cutting corners on the manufacturing as we are have issue. We are gettting Tandberg in to show us there RDX solution. What do you guys think do you think backup to disk is not the answear?
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Nothing wrong with backups to disk. They are just more prone to damage and harder to store when compared to tapes. Disk to disk is a great short-term solution and redundant disks can protect you against disk failure, but as data is kept on the disk longer, the cost of storing the data safely starts to increase. Having said that, I heard that Microsoft store their entire Exchange infrastructure on disk with no tape at all. So its a feasible solution.
Remember when designing a backup solution, the "smoking hole" scenario, that is what happens if the entire location was lost? That is when offsite backup storage becomes important.
Since it sounds like you are providing some services for your clients, perhaps there is a business opportunity here in providing offsite disk backup.
Remember when designing a backup solution, the "smoking hole" scenario, that is what happens if the entire location was lost? That is when offsite backup storage becomes important.
Since it sounds like you are providing some services for your clients, perhaps there is a business opportunity here in providing offsite disk backup.
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