Posts
Tape backup planning and strategies are a very important part of business continuity and data disaster recovery. From an archival standpoint, tapes offer a convenient method of storage and small footprint for storing offsite or in a fire resistant media safe.
While tape backup does have advantages, there are many cons to tape backup drives and removable media that should be taken into consideration when planning your strategy.
Disadvantages
First of all, tape backup includes a variety of security risks including employee theft, loss, broken tapes due to operator error. Mitigating these data security risks by automating the backup process is a common approach, often using disk based backup to automate the process.
Secondly, the operational recovery from tape has long been in debate. Several research studies suggest that recovery from tapes is not as easy as it seems. Testing tapes to verify that data is recoverable often causes damage to the tape itself rendering it useless for recovery.
The costs associate with a daily, weekly and even monthly tape backup strategy approach $60,000 per business location, per year. While these costs are often unavoidable (especially for large enterprises) there are several new hardware solutions that will both mitigate the data security risks as well as strengthen disaster recovery plans.
New Methods and Approaches
Supplementing or augmenting an off site tape backup strategy with a hard disk or NAS storage server system is quickly becoming the standard. For companies that have already invested heavily into their tape drive systems, replacing new hardware and equipment is usually not feasible in the short term. However, supplementing the tape drive backup with a fire resistant and waterproof hard drive or NAS storage system provides several advantages to a single backup approach.
Deploying ioSafe hardware in an off site or on site tape backup environment provides immediate advantages over traditional tape backup.
Tape and Disk Backup Advantages
Mitigating data security risks - installing ioSafe hardware means you will now be able to automate the backup process and remove the human element from your backup strategy. Human error accounts for more data loss than any other risk. Tape backup means that your IT staff, or other employees must rotate, change, and store backup tapes.
Data recovery and verification from disk has proven time and again that RPO and RTO can be achieved to an "up to the point of disaster." With ioSafe data storage hardware you'll be able to recover your data from today, not last night's tape or last week's data.
When it comes to ROI (return on investment) and overall costs associated with data backup, combining a disk based system means you'll save more money. Even if you still need to do a tape archive of your data, you can now reduce from a daily tape rotation to a weekly - reducing costs of staff as well as equipment.
This belts and suspenders approach to off site tape backup has many advantages for both small and large businesses. As you reevaluate your on site backup plan and your offsite strategy, consider deploying ioSafe technology. After all, data backup is like an insurance policy... how much coverage do you need??
Friday, January 11, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Best Wishes for 2008 Data Storage
As the new year blooms here at our office I am thankful for many things. I have a great job, work with some very great people and have the opportunity to grow with this business. All of my efforts here benefit the entire company, which in turn creates a better future for myself and those around me. For 2008 I created a list that includes some of my favorite pieces of hardware / software and several "wish list" items that I think every technology lover would like to have :)
1) Sophisticated design elements to otherwise bland data storage. Lacie continues to lead the pack and push the envelope of product design when it comes to hard disk drives. From the new Neil Poulton designed USB external drive to the golden disk and lego blocks, business and home digital data storage has never looked so good!
2) Email spam blocker that is easy on the wallet!
Google offers a great spam filtering service for your personal or business email accounts and so does FuseMail.com
3) For the growing enterprise business that needs a belt and suspenders data backup device I like the Disk to Disk to Tape devices from Breece Hill. If you have never heard of this company, they are certainly worth the consideration as you make your storage plans for this new year.
4) Small business Internal or External RAID systems from Accordance Systems
I recently learned about Accordance RAID storage controllers while researching the web for a cost effective solution for a small business client. The ARAID provides small office and home office (SOHO) users with the same level of data protection traditionally only available in large enterprise environments at a fraction of the cost!
5) Off site tape backup supplement from ioSafe data storage hardware.
For business data that needs the best data recovery protection an ioSafe solution installed at your off site or on site facility will ensure broader business continuity protection in the event of a data disaster.
6) Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii with Guitar Hero III
Okay, this has nothing to do with data storage, but in your spare time away from the office it's great fun to let your inner rock star shine! If you have never played this game before you should at least try the demo at your local retailer - so much fun!
1) Sophisticated design elements to otherwise bland data storage. Lacie continues to lead the pack and push the envelope of product design when it comes to hard disk drives. From the new Neil Poulton designed USB external drive to the golden disk and lego blocks, business and home digital data storage has never looked so good!
2) Email spam blocker that is easy on the wallet!
Google offers a great spam filtering service for your personal or business email accounts and so does FuseMail.com
3) For the growing enterprise business that needs a belt and suspenders data backup device I like the Disk to Disk to Tape devices from Breece Hill. If you have never heard of this company, they are certainly worth the consideration as you make your storage plans for this new year.
4) Small business Internal or External RAID systems from Accordance Systems
I recently learned about Accordance RAID storage controllers while researching the web for a cost effective solution for a small business client. The ARAID provides small office and home office (SOHO) users with the same level of data protection traditionally only available in large enterprise environments at a fraction of the cost!
5) Off site tape backup supplement from ioSafe data storage hardware.
For business data that needs the best data recovery protection an ioSafe solution installed at your off site or on site facility will ensure broader business continuity protection in the event of a data disaster.
6) Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii with Guitar Hero III
Okay, this has nothing to do with data storage, but in your spare time away from the office it's great fun to let your inner rock star shine! If you have never played this game before you should at least try the demo at your local retailer - so much fun!
Digital Asset Storage for your business
The storage and easy access of digital data and intellectual property for businesses is a crucial element to daily operations and business longevity. Long term digital asset storage on hard disk drives is increasingly popular as storage requirements for even the smallest business are on the increase, while the cost of storage continues to drop.
Maintaining a solid backup plan and strategy for recovery are key elements for any business. One often overlooked aspect is recovery from fire, flood and water damage. ioSafe hardware is unique in that you can backup and storage your digital data into a fireproof USB drive or network attached storage device with the same ease as any other external hardware.
While the costs for fire proof protection are much greater than traditional data storage you will rest assured that your data can be recovered even if the unthinkable happens - a real world fire or flood disaster.
Maintaining a solid backup plan and strategy for recovery are key elements for any business. One often overlooked aspect is recovery from fire, flood and water damage. ioSafe hardware is unique in that you can backup and storage your digital data into a fireproof USB drive or network attached storage device with the same ease as any other external hardware.
While the costs for fire proof protection are much greater than traditional data storage you will rest assured that your data can be recovered even if the unthinkable happens - a real world fire or flood disaster.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
