Where Do We Start?

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Complexity in Enterprise Backup

The functions of enterprise tape backup may seem straightforward. But implementing a truly functional backup environment that meets enterprise data protection requirements can be a complex undertaking. When you design or update a backup strategy, complexity can arise for several reasons:

• Ability to back up all of the data. For the backup strategy to be useful, it must ensure that all data that can be lost is backed up. In an enterprise with large numbers of information servers, some of which may share data with others, identifying the sets of data objects to be backed up can be a significant effort.

• Frequency. Backup frequency is essentially a trade-off between resources (network and I/O bandwidth, processor capacity, tape and library hardware, and application access) and the need for the most current data possible. Again, with many information services needing data protection, finding the right balance between backup frequency and resource consumption is a challenge.

• Integration of all data managers. Enterprises with many information services are likely to use multiple data management systems (filesystems and database management systems), each with its own mechanisms for backing up data objects that it recognizes. Your task is integrating these mechanisms into a schedule that provides a consistent backup of all required data for a service and keeping them up-to-date as the service changes.

• Continuous availability. Continuous application availability is increasingly required in the today's enterprise. A variety of mechanisms enable consistent backups with minimal application downtime. Choosing among these and implementing the choice can be a complex task.

• Media management. Business or regulatory requirements can result in multiyear data retention requirements. Enterprises can find themselves responsible for maintaining backups and archives on tens or even hundreds of thousands of media (tape cartridges, optical disk platters, etc.). The procedures for managing large numbers of media can also be complex.

• Management of multiple locations. Business considerations may require that servers and data be located in multiple locations. Maintaining a consistent set of backup procedures across multiple data centers can require extensive design or management talent.

The backup component of an enterprise data protection strategy has to accommodate all of these factors.

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