| server backup
Title : Server Backup
Audience : Small business non tech decision makers with
an interest in Server backup.
Source : http://www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
Posted : March 07
Copyright : backupanytime original content.
Redistribution as is : No permission required (with
credits)
Modification : With written permission from backupanytime..
Server backup has much in common with workstation backup.
Online server backup requires the main essential components
of online workstation backup such as encryption, compression,
scheduling, reporting and updates. There are some obvious
but essential differences and it is these that we will
focus on in this document.
Servers in the main are not used for non data management
daily tasks. This reduces the risk of human error and
malicious software from causing data outage issues.
Servers manage file access and can therefore prevent
two people from changing a file at the same time. This
reduces the risk of corruption and all things being
equal lends itself to data backed up from servers being
far safer than non server backups.
Servers will prevent people from accessing data they
have no business accessing. Any reduction in unnecessary
file access reduces risk regardless of how genuine the
intended beyond permission use is. Server backup can
backup all or most of an organizations data from one
location. As a consequence server backup is normally
far less complicated than multiple workstation backup.
As an added benefit, single serverbackup reports are
more convenient to monitor than multiple workstation
reports.
Listing the obvious advantages above of server backup
only brings us some of the way to gaining a basic non
technical look at online server backup.
There are some additional requirements for a quality
server backup system which relate to the way servers
handle file permissions and additional functionality
required for same.
The fundamental difference between a modern server
backup system and an outdated one are as follows.
If any intended provider requires extra fees for software
in order to backup exchange server, just walk away.
Microsoft Exchange Server is ubiquitous in the server
market and any software which does not support it as
standard may be substandard or developed pre Exchange
server.
So what is exchange server and what
is the big deal with backing it up?
Exchange server manages mail and personal folders on
the network. Traditionally it was a challenging area
for backup because of the scope, quantity and importance
of its function. This is not the case anymore. Backupanytime
use sub file backup technology to backup daily amendments
to Exchange. This technology comes as standard for servers
when you deal with backupanytime. Many backup companies
try to avoid this and when a client raises the issue
it may be charged for it as a separate component to
deter the issue or increase revenue without added value.
Many others simply do not have a solution for it. So,
now you know. Exchange is not new. It is not a big deal.
It is no longer difficult for a competent provider to
back up Exchange server. If your software can not backup
Exchange server, it is not server backup software.
SQL is a very common relational database management
backbone. It is shipped as standard with an increasing
amount of software. If you didn't know what it was,
that does not mean you don't use it. If you use any
modern database in work there is a very good chance
that SQL is a key component to it.
What is the big deal?
There isn't one in the sense that SQL is no longer as
complicated as it was to back up. There is a problem
in that many providers can not back it up due to antiquated
systems and knowledge base and because many more wont
mention it unless asked. You may not know you need it
'till it's too late. Even if you do know, it is common
again for providers to charge extra for exchange in
order to avoid it or gain revenue from what should be
a standard feature. If your server backup does not support
SQL there is a possibility that some crucial software
may not be backed up correctly. Backupanytime provide
SQL compatibility as standard.
The reasons for this are twofold.
- Server backup integrity.
Often a client will not know their requirements and
even if they do, these change over time. If the option
to backup essential components such as Exchange and
SQL are not standard then these server backup areas
may be overlooked.
- The second reason is server backup
cost.
The costs of concern to a backup service provider
are the quantity of data being backed up and the amount
of time the client is connected to the remote backup
servers. Weather they are backing up text documents
or exchange server does not affect the provider unless
there are concerns over the software used.
You could take the risk of a free trial but that is
not recommended if you are unsure about the provider.
Before allowing any trial to take place ask questions
about Exchange and SQL. Watch out for answers which
include the word “agent”. Commonly, if a
providers software does not support Exchange or SQL
they will use add ons called “agents” to
attempt to make up for the shortfall. This is a red
flag. Online backup should be a simple, easily managed
system. Any unnecessary complications increase the risk
of downtime and data loss without full restore capability.
If you do go for a trial, ensure you seek a restore
without appointment before the trial ends. The response
time is easy for the provider to get right if your demo
is by appointment. When you lose data for real you wont
have or want an appointment. You will want your data
without delay or formality.
If you found this document helpful you may like to
visit www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
or our website proper at www.backupanytime.com
If you are a system administrator and would like technical
details please register your interest on our contact
page requesting membership of our private white
paper area for I.T. Professionals.
"Good servers are built for Exchange
and SQL as standard. Good server backup software is
programmed likewise"
backupanytime, we mean backup and we mean anytime.
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