Is there a Disaster Recovery Backup strategy that you would recommend.
We just experienced a server failure and the data was recovered but the WebSafe failed us <This has many problems . >

1. We are backing up the Database Extention Files only should - But we our server failed.. we lost Printboss specs and other important files that our consulant had top reproduce ... Question? our consulant says that some databases and others embed the data within the program itself, "what file extensions or folders need to be selected for backup to ensure I can do a proper restore?"

A second question is if the program itself has the means to generate its own backup file, is it better to restore from that file or from a copy of the primary file?

2. Disaster Recovery strategy - do you want a local backup in addition to the offsite backup? Local backups offer the convenience of quick restores, but frequently require a little more human intervention than the automated offsite backup and can also be damaged/stolen/rendered useless by natural disaster because they are in the same vicinity as the primary data.

3. We have a Dell 2600 Server is "Cloning" a solution - common ones are Acronis and Norton Ghost. Will create an image of what the computer looked like, including installed apps, so you can put a new computer back exactly the way the old one was pre-disaster. Not necessarily optimal trying to transfer an clone file over the internet because of its size, but can be done. You wouldn't want to regenerate it too often or you'll be spending all your time uploading that one file. Makes restores quite easy, would be something to consider as your local backup component.

4. Data backups for disaster recovery - Within a comprehensive strategy, theft, building burning down, tornado, water main breaking, etc. has to be accounted for. The only way to address those is to have the data offsite, preferably out of the same region. Internet based backups are automated and stored in hardened data center facilities in areas not prone to natural disasters. Typically, just the data files are what I'm backing up, for optimal use of the available bandwidth, plus the fact that most programs/applications can be readily obtained. WebSafe is failing us.

What do you recommend that us to you build out your disaster recovery strategy fou us at Best Buy Uniforms.
Les Frischman
Best Buy Uniforms
Homestead, PA

Les:

You are quite right in stating that at least one backup has to be off-site. The issue is how far off-site is enough. Having a rotation plan for the backup device and having a trusted employee take the most recent backup home each day, is sufficient to protect against system failure, fire, flood, etc. Of course, if a disaster wipes out the whole city, that won’t help, but I would suspect you would then have more urgent problems!

Note: I recommend a separate backup of the accounting data – often to a USB flash drive – for ease of restore. I often find that the accounting staff has no idea how to restore selected files from a network backup and the network manager has no idea what files accounting is looking for. Again, rotate several drives and have at least one off site.

Here is another take on disaster recovery: find a company in your city that is not a competitor and is running the same operating system (and perhaps software) as you. Work together to co-ordinate backup methods/devices and agree to leave enough room on your systems to, in an emergency, run the other company’s processes for a short time. I know a case where this is being done with mainframe systems,