Backup Solution??

[pro956]

Okay, so I just fell into this new job b/c a boss left.
We have a bunch of Servers (domain, exchange, novell, database, etc etc)
About 7 servers.

Anyway, there are ZERO backups being made of all of these servers, and I can only imagine what might happen if something goes wrong. I am not experience in this, so I would appreciate any ideas.

Also I want to change the novell server into a windows file sharing server with remote profiles. Meaning a person's settings and documents etc etc travel with them from computer to computer-- is that possible?

Thanks to all the experts out there.

 

[Cal166]

This belongs on the software forum.

Look into BackupEXEC or if you want to go one step higher, Netbackup. Both are own by Veritas.

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: Cal166
This belongs on the software forum.

Look into BackupEXEC or if you want to go one step higher, Netbackup. Both are own by Veritas.

You mean symantec, as symantec bought out veritas? But yes, backupexec is excellent backup software for servers. I'd recommend a nice tape backup system

 

[pro956]

Thanks for the info.

In terms of this not being in the software forum:

I'm also interested in hardware--
I'm not sure if I should have a server dedicated to backup of the other servers.
I'm not sure if I should look into tape backups.

etc etc

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: kevnich2

Originally posted by: Cal166
This belongs on the software forum.

Look into BackupEXEC or if you want to go one step higher, Netbackup. Both are own by Veritas.

You mean symantec, as symantec bought out veritas? But yes, backupexec is excellent backup software for servers. I'd recommend a nice tape backup system

Yes, you are right. My versions still says Veritas.

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: pro956
Thanks for the info.

In terms of this not being in the software forum:

I'm also interested in hardware--
I'm not sure if I should have a server dedicated to backup of the other servers.
I'm not sure if I should look into tape backups.

etc etc

Yes, It is wise to have a dedicated backup server. EDIT: as in a server that backs up onto tapes, not backup into a NAS or Local HDs

The whole point of a backup system is to put it in Tapes....

 

[Goosemaster]

I find it scary that this is beign asked in OT

 

[kranky]

How much data do you need to back up? How much of a budget do you have for a backup solution? How many people are running off these servers? How long could you afford to be down in case of a disaster?

Get a tape system that will handle the amount of data you need to back up. Set up a tape rotation of daily/weekly/monthly backups. Set up BackupExec to automatically run the appropriate jobs on the desired days. Store your tapes off-site somewhere.

I don't often use all caps but... MAKE SURE YOU TEST YOUR BACKUPS TO ENSURE THEY ARE WORKING AND THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO RESTORE THE DATA FROM THE TAPES. I have heard too many stories of people who thought they were backing stuff up but when the time came to restore it, they either didn't know how or that's when they found out their backups weren't working.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: pro956
Okay, so I just fell into this new job b/c a boss left.
We have a bunch of Servers (domain, exchange, novell, database, etc etc)
About 7 servers.

Anyway, there are ZERO backups being made of all of these servers, and I can only imagine what might happen if something goes wrong. I am not experience in this, so I would appreciate any ideas.

Also I want to change the novell server into a windows file sharing server with remote profiles. Meaning a person's settings and documents etc etc travel with them from computer to computer-- is that possible?

Thanks to all the experts out there.

"I am not experience in this, so I would appreciate any ideas."

Here's the best idea anyone could give you. Hire someone who knows what they are doing. You're bound to screw something up. The other idea is to contract a firm that handles these things.

 

[Goosemaster]

Meaning a person's settings and documents etc etc travel with them from computer to computer-- is that possible?

Look for my old thread in networking...(or was it software?) on the subject.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: kranky
How much data do you need to back up? How much of a budget do you have for a backup solution? How many people are running off these servers? How long could you afford to be down in case of a disaster?

Get a tape system that will handle the amount of data you need to back up. Set up a tape rotation of daily/weekly/monthly backups. Set up BackupExec to automatically run the appropriate jobs on the desired days. Store your tapes off-site somewhere.

I don't often use all caps but... MAKE SURE YOU TEST YOUR BACKUPS TO ENSURE THEY ARE WORKING AND THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO RESTORE THE DATA FROM THE TAPES. I have heard too many stories of people who thought they were backing stuff up but when the time came to restore it, they either didn't know how or that's when they found out their backups weren't working.

:beer:


Either do it right or don't do it at all (pay someone else to do it)

From the looks of it, your knowledge is limited pro956 so I would stick to having someone else do it.

 

[pro956]

Thanks guys, wow this forum is great, I just posted a few minutes ago too. I'd appreciate input from other people as well. I'm going to look into the advice you are giving me and come back with more questions

I have a lot to learn

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: pro956
Thanks guys, wow this forum is great, I just posted a few minutes ago too. I'd appreciate input from other people as well. I'm going to look into the advice you are giving me and come back with more questions

I have a lot to learn

Keep in mind, our advice is intended to help you realzie the truth, not make you feel good, so please excuse the antagonism.

<----really hates reading horror stories about data loss.


People will be gglad to help you but

a) keep in mind that in the end you are responsible so you will need to follow expert help to a "T" if they even give you that much info
b) it wil lrequire quite a bit of research on your part
c) you will need at least one 'test" enviroment to try your software.


d) outsourcing this to people who know what they are doing is the best option. period.


Have them set it up for you and they'll teach you how to maintain it.

 

[SaturnX]

Yeah as mentioned, the whole point of backups is to put them onto tapes, then restore them as needed. I'm going to have to agree with others in this thread that your best bet would be hire someone who knows what they're doing or contract it out. You mentioned you have no experience, and frankly when you're dealing with backups you want it to be done right and error free, which will be difficult given your current knowledge of the situation.

--Mark

 

[Fraggable]

My input on the subject is that within the next few hours, you should back up the critical files and folders (database files, finance office folders, etc.). Long-term, get another server to back stuff up to. And also, get someone to get the sysetm running for you, then have them train you on how to use it and keep it running. Ideally you won't have to pay someone for the next 10 years to keep it running for you.

 

[pro956]

Originally posted by: kranky
How much data do you need to back up? How much of a budget do you have for a backup solution? How many people are running off these servers? How long could you afford to be down in case of a disaster?

Around 300gb to backup, but I would like to handle much more in the future.

Budget should be around 5k-10k, but I think I can work around it.

About 150 people are running off the servers.

Downtime cripples the workforce, but it's not the end of the world...
Sooner is better than later, 1 week downtime would be the max tolerable.

 

[MisterJackson]

Floppy or Zip 100 (external parallel is the only way I roll) seems like your best bet.

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: pro956

Originally posted by: kranky
How much data do you need to back up? How much of a budget do you have for a backup solution? How many people are running off these servers? How long could you afford to be down in case of a disaster?

Around 300gb to backup, but I would like to handle much more in the future.

Budget should be around 5k-10k, but I think I can work around it.

About 150 people are running off the servers.

Downtime cripples the workforce, but it's not the end of the world...
Sooner is better than later, 1 week downtime would be the max tolerable.

That's a pretty nice budget to get everything up and running quick!

get BackupEXEC and a nice tape storage system. Each tape should hold 200+GB depending on which tapes you go with.

 

[pro956]

It seems that I should definitely consider outsourcing this.
I was hoping I could do the task on my own and have a tough time, but learn a lot in turn.

That might take way too long considering I work full time and am a full time student as well.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the dc/baltimore area?

Thanks so much everybody!
and don't worry, I'm definately freaked out that nothing here is backed up.

I have done what I could and backed up things onto a large external hd over the past week.

 

[Fraggable]

A WEEK of downtime?? That's a long time...

I would hope you could get a solution that could get you back up and running in hours.

With 300GB to back up and possibly more in the future, a tape backup will work but might be a pain eventually. I'd prefer to back stuff up to hard disks in another server and maybe back stuff up to tapes once a week or so to keep offsite.

 

[isasir]

Symantec/Veritas Backup Exec, take extended support on it, two weeks worth of tapes, daily (M-F) backups

 

[vi edit]

A lot of good posts so far. I'd also suggest having some sort of "on-line" backup for commonly used files/documents.

By "on-line" I mean to another server or device that you can rapidly recover in a matter of a few seconds/minutes. Depending on your office environment, you may have users deleting or overwriting documents on a daily basis that you'll have to re-cover from the previous day.

Going back to tapes and pulling it off the tape can take a little while sometimes. If you keep a weeks worth of data "on-line" you can rapidly recover it and have documents back in place in a matter of a few seconds.

But again, it really depends on the type of data that is being backed up and how often they are making changes to it.

 

[imported_Phil]

Veritas, ARCServe or Acronis.
AIT-3 drive, 200Gb native, more with compression.
Maybe an autoloader.

Don't use incremental backups.

 

[pro956]

Originally posted by: Phil
Veritas, ARCServe or Acronis.
AIT-3 drive, 200Gb native, more with compression.
Maybe an autoloader.

Don't use incremental backups.

Why do you suggest not to use incremental backups?
What would you recommend instead? differential incremental backups?cumulative incremental backups?

Thanks!

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: pro956

Originally posted by: Phil
Veritas, ARCServe or Acronis.
AIT-3 drive, 200Gb native, more with compression.
Maybe an autoloader.

Don't use incremental backups.

Why do you suggest not to use incremental backups?
What would you recommend instead? differential incremental backups?cumulative incremental backups?

Thanks!

I would recommend that you always use a normal backup wherby all your critical files are simply copied in a fashion you find adaquate for restoration. I would then store at least a few weeks of backups ontape.

That is the saftey net.

Thn use incremental or whatever you find more suitable on top of that.