[TriLUG] Backup/Storage System Design Question

[Jon Carnes]

We've talked about this in the archives a couple of times... You could
look there for a lot of recommendations.

When I design a backup system I look at the following items:
 - How much physical data (in Gb) and what is the growth rate
 - Where is the data located and who can I access it (rights necessary
to read the data).
 - How often does the data need to be backed up (how mission critical is
the data and what is the business cost to replace it)
 - When and how long is the access window for backing up the data.

The last item (access time) is actually the most critical and generally
determines the cost/type of backup that will be used for a data system. 
Some data is available 24/7 and can be backed off continuously in a
streaming format.  Some data (like customer databases) can only be
accessed during very small maintenance windows, or the backup has to be
built into the database system as redundancy.

In general I build a backup server with enough volume capacity to hold a
four weeks worth of critical data (this leaves room for data growth),
then attach a streaming backup device (like a tape backup) for archiving
of the data off that server.  This centralized approach works fairly
well and saves a lot on licensing of backup software.

For mission critical servers that have no room for failure, I use HA
(High Availability) systems rather than rely on Backups.  Virtual
Servers are an example of HA systems. 

HtH - Jon Carnes

On Thu, 2003-02-20 at 17:33, Liyun Yu wrote:
> I am not sure where to ask this question.
> 
> When there is a request to design a backup
> system, what parameters should we consider and
> what are the check list that we need to follow,
> or what are the "best practice" guidelines to reference,
> if any?
> 
> For example: I want to design a storage sub system
> with 4TB RAID unit and a 2TB tape library.
> 
> Any reference web site or reference book for this kind
> of design task available?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> -- Liyun
> 
> ====++===+=+++====+++++==========+++===+===++========
> Liyun Yu, Ph. D./System Administrator/Dept of Radiation Oncology
> UNC School of Medicine /101 Manning Drive/Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7512
> Office: (919) 966-7704 Ext 1 / FAX: (919) 966-7681
> 
> 
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