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.

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The fundamental difference between a modern server backup system and an outdated one are as follows.

Support for Microsoft Exchange Server backup. (as standard)
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.

Support for SQL Server backup. (as standard)
What is it?
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.

Why do backupanytime provide all of these features 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.

How to identify poor server backup software and poor server backup providers.
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 www.backupanytime.com/contact.htm 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.