Data Backup Digest

Having a backup solution in place is very important, but it’s also advisable to keep it streamlined and up-to-date. The process put in place might be outdated and in need of renewal. Technology changes and storage is continually changing. You may find that there are better approaches to take, either through using a different storage method, adding a new one into the mix or changing the way the backups are handled.

This article will talk through some simple steps you can take to ensure that your backup process remains streamlined and runs as smoothly as possible.

Hybrid backups
Cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular and you might find that it can be used in your backup process as part of a hybrid solution.

For example, critical data that needs to be access at all times could be stored in the cloud and on disk. Often accessed or recently edited files could be stored in the cloud on a daily basis, meaning that if there’s a data outage then work can still progress while everything is being restored. This could then be paired with a long term storage solution, like tape.

A hybrid solution is great because it’s never sensible to rely on a single type of storage. Spreading out across formats will create a margin of error that is vital.

Reassess files and schedule
If your backup solution wasn’t properly implemented the first time around then you might discover that a lot of files are being backed up unnecessarily. System and program files, for example, don’t need to be backed up. These can be reinstalled from disc and you’re wasting space and time by backing them up.

Also, consider how often you need to backup. For some, backing up at the end of the day is the least that’s required, while for others it could be every week. It entirely depends on how often the data is changing, whether that’s being edited or added to. You might also need to look at what specific time the backups are being carried out. A lot of companies will run it during the night, while no-one is working, to stop systems slowing down during the day.

Upgrade the hardware
First of all, if you’re backing up with the long term future in mind then take caution that data can corrupt even if the drive isn’t active. Lifehacker advises that a hard disk drive should, at the very most, be kept ten years stationary. After that time (but preferably before), everything should be moved over to a new drive.

Secondly, it might be time to look into updating the backup media you’re using. If it’s tape, for example, then consider the latest LTO-6 tapes that offer transfer rates of 400 mb/s. That’s a 43% improvement over the LTO-5 standard. If using hard drives, then you might want to upgrade to higher capacity drives – they’ve grown in size and dropped in price over the years and you might be able to consolidate your data to fewer drives.