Backup Strategies - we have lots of data

[bettyb]

I use ArcServer 6.61 NT with an HP Surestore 1/9 Autoloader. In an ideal world, I would do a full backup every night. I have LOTS of data, so a year ago, I went to a Full Backup on Sat night and Differentials Monday - Friday. This worked well for a while.

Now, I have so much data (about 143 gb) that my Sat night backup goes to 4 tapes and runs into Sunday evening. The differentials remain at 1 tape.

I have been trying to decide what to do. I have examined each server, and what I backup and I need about 95% of it.

My question: what do other organizations with lots of data do for backup? Should I do a full backup monthly and differentials the rest of the time? Should I break up my backups into separate jobs?

How can I possibly protect all of my data, still have efficient backup times, not have so many tapes in one backup set AND be able to easily retrieve tapes and restore data as needed.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[dudenjersey]

Our main file server had 153 GB's of data until we went with a SAN, I did a full job every night. When i came in the next morning i put in the 2nd tape then the 3rd tape around 10:30 and the job usually finished around 12. I didn't like the idea of backing up during the day but the client preferred it that way.

 

[ScottJ]

Is there any scope to add a second storage device to your setup ?, we run a split Netware and W2k backup onto two separate drives in the same storage device which essentially chops the time in half.

If cost is an issue, what about splitting your job into night and day - the essential data at night and non-essential in the day.

It sounds like you need more hours in the day

 

[Stat1c]

3 backup jobs setup, and for the production (file servers) run diff's monday - thursday the other backups are oracle/exchange so they run full all week. On friday we run a full production.
We backup up around 280GB in total on a friday night. This used to take until sunday morning when we ran arcserve 6.61 on NT, It now takes till saturday evening, running Arcserve 2000 on Windows 2000. Our tape devices are TL891's. 2 drives 10 slots. 2561 fw. It helps to know what your dr plan is for a server that you are backing up.. we found that most of the time file servers are rebuilt from scratch, thus no need to backup the O/S Drives.

 

[mrtoledo]

Depending on your budget you might want to look into a SDLT or a LTO tape library. SDLT's published rated speed is 39.6 GB/hr (your results may vary).

As for your question on what other people do... The short answer is a backup device with more capicity.

 

[Stat1c]

Sorry forgot to ask, what size tapes are you backing up to, i'm using 35/70's getting near top compression

 

[bettyb]

Thank you for all of the input. I am running the backup using Arcserve 6.61 and NT4 Server. The tapes are 40/80 gb - - I am using compression.

Later this year, I am going to replace the backup server with a Win2000 and I think ArcServe's newer product Brightstore. I guess it's time to look at tape devices with higher capacities.......

 

[Stat1c]

bettyb tape devices wise i'm in the same boat, I'm currently looking at the MSL5026S2 and the MSL5052S2 from HP. The device is modular so that the drives can be upgraded. Before you choose a product speak to your hardware supplier and see if you can get on some Demo's/labs. CA do labs also so if possible you can get them to set up with a number of selections. It takes the pain away from doing it yourself.

 

[ppsupport]

Two things you might want to consider.

As already suggested, take a look at an LTO autoloader solution. We use these, and back-up aroung 150 GBytes per unit every night. That all fits (just) onto a single tape, and times vary, but typically we can get that done (including most servers backed up via the network) in less than six hours.

Or you may want to consider a second tape drive using an identical tape format to your present solution. As an extra justification for this, consider resilience - with two units you have a fall back position in the event of down-time on an individual tape unit.

HTH - regards.