The Best Tape Backup Rotation For Your Computer Network Data
The Best Tape Backup Rotation For Your Computer Network Data
A reliable data backup solution should be a crucial component of any organizations computer network. Although many newer technically innovative backup solutions have emerged over the last few years, tape backup solutions are still a viable option in today's computing environments. Tape backup provides the convenience of being readily available and portable. It also stores well long term in a controlled climate environment. Cartridge rotation is a key element of any comprehensive tape backup solution.
There are a few factors to consider before implementing a rotation schedule. What is an acceptable restore and recovery time frame? Can you afford a day's worth of downtime or is the smallest recovery window possible a must. If the shortest time frame possible is required then consider running a full backup of all data at a minimum Monday through Friday schedule. If some leeway in the recovery time frame is acceptable then consider a combination full backup with corresponding differential or incremental backup jobs. An incremental backup will backup only the changed files since the last backup whereas the differential will backup all the files that have changed since the last full backup. Incremental provides shorter backup times but requires the full backup tape plus all the subsequent incremental tapes in the proper order to be able to complete a restore. The differential method only requires the full backup and the last differential.
If data retention needs are minimal then consider running a simple two week tape rotation utilizing ten to fourteen tapes. Ten tapes in a "Week One" and "Week Two" configuration would cover Monday through Friday if no one is available to swap out tapes on the weekend. To provide a more comprehensive coverage over a greater length of time consider implementing the following tape rotation.
Two sets of Monday through Thursday tapes
First through Fifth Friday designated tapes
A month end or quarterly tape
Year end tape
This rotation scheduled provides greater coverage and allows for recovery of data from throughout an entire years worth of backups. The year end tape could also be cycled out with a new tape every year for archiving. Off site rotation of the tapes in a safe and secure location should also be implemented in any tape backup strategy as a precaution to fire, natural disaster or other unexpected calamity.