Backup Types

Title : Backup Types.
Audience : Small Medium Enterprise non technical decision maker level backup types guide.
User I.T. Knowledge 2/10
Source : Http://www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
Posted : Jan 07
Reviewed July 07
Updated n/a
Copyright : backupanytime original content.
Redistribution as is : No permission required (with credits)
Modification : With written permission from backupanytime.

The number of available backup types (with reference to software and hardware) has increased for every organization. This increased availability of options is the norm with most things involving computers given the pervasiveness of technology in all things I.T.
It has however only become the case with backup types in recent years. The traditional backup tape system became popular at its inception as it was seen as the best way to backup data. As its weaknesses (reliability, length of time to restore, difficulty of partial restore and failure rate) came to light over the years, it stayed for the main as a result of little in the line of an affordable specific solution being offered.

This has changed. The availability of new options however comes with its own dangers and that will be the crux of our examination of backup types available today for small business.

Our area of examination will be the hardware options available. The most common types used today (many of which are unsuitable as a sole form of backup) will be examined for the purposes of providing information on the suitability or otherwise of same.

Hardware commonly used in small business backup:
Zip drive :
Cheap but otherwise not a lot going for it. Small volume and high risk. Fared well some years ago with non technical users who would not invest in specialist backup systems, did not understand or respect the associated risks and had very small data requirements.

USB keyring drive : One of the worst choices. Possibly the worst. Never meant for backup. Common flash (delete) on entry and exit. Very high overall failure rate. Easily misplaced allowing you to lose your data and put in someone else's hands.

USB hard drive : Similar to above but with higher capacity and therefore possibility of losing even more data. The reduction in drive prices and the ever increasing spin speeds has caused serious reliability issues with cynics claiming that drives are now designed to fail shortly after their warranty date.

Internal SATA / ISE drive : Somewhat more secure than above but not portable. Therefore not recommended.
You wont risk moving your data to a new location and have no protection if a power surge or worse hits your system on site.

Tape drive : Some associated risks as highlighted but still better than most of the above. A well managed tape system (with the right software) does offer a specialist backup solution to a backup savvy user.

R.A.I.D. : Excellent fail over but not a backup. If system is destroyed or stolen the drives suffer same. A good raid system is designed to keep your system going while you replace a failed drive. Don't confuse redundancy or fail over with backup.

N.A.S. : Very good on site storage solution but again suffers all local infrastructure risks such as power surge. A welcome assist on just about any network but not a backup.

The question you may be asking now is if all of the above have such obvious weaknesses; what should I use?
The answer is multiple drives, specialists software, in system redundancy and off site dead (not power affected) copies with automated archive management and information life cycle tools.
This is obviously very expensive. When you use backupanytime you effectively purchase a share in the above. This allows you the benefits of a corporate system while only paying for your small business usage. Contact us today and we will arrange a free, no commitment trial of the backupanytime online backup system.

If you found this backup types information helpful you can avail of more subject specific detail at; www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm or our website proper at www.backupanytime.com

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