Backup Solutions: Far More than Just File Copy Utilities
What file copy utilities actually do and
don't can be confusing to new buyers who are
looking for a backup solution for their business. First the
question must be asked as to how many files need to be backed
up? If the user has only a few smaller files, then a true backup
tool is really not of use to that user. Copying and burning the
data onto CDs or DVDs would be the cheaper and better
alternative to the purchase of a complete backup tool set. If,
however, the user has many files or very large and frequently
changing files, then a backup tool would be the best alternative
to DVDs as the user will need much time and DVDs to create
reliable backups.
When the PC user seeks out backup tools,
good research of the product must be undertaken. The reality is
that backup tools consist of more than just the simple programs; the whole spectrum of backup tools consists of an
array of features and extensions that all work together to
provide the user with the overall system backup. In the broadest
sense, backup tools consist of external hard drives, network
systems, and specialized tools, such as BackupChain.
The external hard drive will usually
connect to your PC or laptop via USB, eSATA, or Firewire.
External hard drives range in price but the external drives will
cost actually less than a set of DVDs when the cost per GB is
considered. The price can range from under $100 to $200
depending on the capacity, features, size, and brand name of the
external drive. The external hard drive adds great flexibility
to the overall backup tool system as IT administrators can
transport drives to different locations and networks or use one
external drive for certain jobs and utilize another one for work
related matter. The most important advantages of external hard
drives are their low cost, very high speed, medium reliability,
and mobility between systems.
If the backup location has a secured
network installed, then a network attached storage box (NAS) may
be an option as it allows multiple users on the network to back
up data onto it. The advantage of NAS as a backup tool is that
it offers RAID and clustering functionalities that allows
administrators to create accelerated and duplicated data copies
of their data. NAS is often viewed as a simpler
and lower cost system that can provide also load-balancing and
fault-tolerant data storage for the user. One drawback of NAS as
a backup tool is its inability to compute disk usage of separate
directories. This is something the professional will need to
address when implementing NAS as a backup tool.
Once all the above
mentioned devices are set into place, then the data protection
program needs to be setup and installed. Today, there are many types of
replication tools on the market, each catering to a specific
industry.
The user should consider a tool that is specifically
designed for the operating system used on-site and a solution
that is likely to cope with the challenges the organization will
face in the future.
Once the backup infrastructure has been planned and set up correctly to match current and future demands it will become the most effective organization's insurance against disaster, viruses, and data loss.