report

I hereby determine that there is no escape from improving current situation, and every passing day has its potential data loss

After a long research I have done, I can offer 3 ways to improve some/all of the factors above:

1. Adding one more backup tape, similar to the existing tapes (DDS-3 type, 12-24Gb)

2. Upgrade to DLT or LTO library tapes (40-80Gb) and use the existing tapes for supplements backups and crises.

3. Using a Backup-pr Oxy Server. This unique backup server acts as a 'container' holding all backup targets' data on its hard disk and the tapes back it up locally , to allow remote storage of the tapes' cassettes for an extra level of safety . This method, which I prefer, will be explained below.

Here are descriptions and calculated numbers in each of the discussed issues.

Current Status

Two 12-24Gb tapes + Varitas Backup Exec backup program.

To backup remote PCs the Varitas program needs local agents on each PC. This method is unstable, according to my experience, since it doubles (and sometimes triples) the backup time and there are many lost connections to PCs and they are not backed up.

Our expenses on backup issues are so far:

∙ 2 HP backup tapes (1,120$ each x 2)= 2,240$

∙ Varitas Backup Exec - Backup program (approx.): 750 $

∙ 50 Veritas agents (80$ each approx.) = 4,000$

∙ DDS3 media tapes (17$ each x 72 media for 3 months)= 1, 224$

∙ Total estimated expense: 8,214 $

∙ Monthly cost for media archiving & replacement (17$ x 5 per month)= 85$

Adding 12-24Gb Tape

Adding 1 backup tape similar to existing tapes: 1,120$

According to my measurements, activating the several tapes simultaneously does not affect the total backup time.

Advantages:

∙ Enlarging the total storage mass capacity per session by 12 Gb to 15 Gb

∙ Keeping all the DDS-3 media investment

∙ Applying some level of redundancy by having an array of similar tapes

Disadvantages:

∙ Poor performance

∙ Not as reliable , big volume and fast as DLT format

∙ Dependency in the Varitas Backup agents - the complexity remains.

DLT Tape Format or better (LTO library)

DLT format is the most popular backup format in mid-size and up companies.

DLT is far more faster than DDS-3 format and considered being highly reliable media both in writing, cassette shelf life and restoring.

∙ 40-80Gb DLT tape costs: 3800$

∙ 40-80Gb DLT media: 77$

∙ Media for 4 weeks (1 for each business day - 77$ x 24)= 1848$

∙ Media for 2 months (1,848$ x 2)= 3,696$

∙ Media for 3 months (1,848$ x 3)= 5,544$

∙ Total cost for initial DLT upgrade (DLT Tape +media for 2 months): 7,496$

∙ Monthly cost for archiving and replacement media (77$ x 2 each month)= 154$

Advantages:

∙ Enlarging the total storage mass capacity per session from 40Gb to 60Gb

∙ Higher level of performance - speed and reliablity

∙ Upgrading opportunity for X to DLT format, for a future growth.

∙ Having the existing backup tapes as 'backup' backup tapes and \or for supplements or local needs.

∙ Higher reliability in backing up, archiving ( 3 years shelf life) and restoring.

Disadvantages:

∙ High cost for purchasing and media cycling.

∙ Loosing the investment on DDS-3 format.

∙ Dependency on the Varitas Backup agents - the complexity remains.

BOS Backup Proxy

Backup proxy is a dedicated NT /Windows2000 server that acts as a backup 'container' and continuously collects data from the target PCs and servers by a simple file copy and maintains the original machines and folders' hierarchy . This operation can be done freely during working hours according to a scheduled table. The backup tapes, which attached to the BOS proxy server, backing it up locally and do not interfere with the network.

Actually, all the backups material is located on the proxy for immediate use. The BOS program can also make 'generations' of the backups as much as the server's storage capacity can handle.

∙ Windows2000 workstation as the BOS backup proxy server with 100GB hard disk - 400$

∙ BOS Backup prOxy Server software for 100GB backup - 1,255$

∙ Total cost (BOS program+ server)= 1,655$

∙ Monthly cost for archiving and replacement media (DDS-3 - 17$x 3 a month)=61$

Here is a basic scheme of our company's network using the Proxy server:

If X will choose BOS solution and would not purchase any tapes, the advantages and disadvantages are:

Advantages:

∙ Enlarging the total storage mass capacity per session from current size limit of 50 Gb to a potentially unlimited size.

∙ Immediate access for restoration

∙ Having 'generations' of backups at hand

∙ 24 hours backup ability to both the proxy server and tapes

∙ Keep all of the DDS-3 media investment

∙ Low cost in purchase and media archiving cycle (DDS-3)

∙ Reducing the total number of media needed to backup all X by getting rid of the idea of dividing the company into departments and groups (currently used to avoid backup cassette overflow)

∙ Gain a higher level of the backup tape performance - it backs up only the proxy, locally

∙ Media can be replaced several times a day (very useful for creating duplicate archived copies).

∙ No dependency of the Varitas backup agents. I will uninstall all agents on every computer, freeing users from their overload on their PC.

∙ Network overload is minimal, since BOS only scans the target machines and only backup the changes. The lower network traffic will be reduce also because there is no tape involve in the backup process which makes it slow and resources consuming - only disk to disk copy over the network.

∙ Second level' backup- Since the tapes are backing up the proxy, they apply a second level of backup and redundancy - In cases of a missed backup by the tapes the data is still backed up by the proxy.

∙ BOS is a 'Chief' - (the main Data Recovery lab) original software (their own development) and we have a direct access to them.

Disadvantages:

∙ None found.

My final Rates:

Here are my rating of choices - from the best to the least wanted:

1. BOS Backup proxy + DLT Tape 9,151$

2. BOS Backup proxy + 2 DDS-3 Tape 2,875$

3. BOS Backup proxy 1,655$

4. DLT Tape 7,496$

5. New DDS-3 tape 1,120$

Your SysAdmin."