Traditional backup

Overview

A backup concept reflects various requirements, preferences and factors. However, every backup environment includes three fundamental components: a backup server, the backup hardware and the managing software component.

• Backup server:
  • Central collection point for data
  • Communicates with servers and backup devices
  • Component of server and backup network
  More about backup servers >>

• Backup hardware:
  • Traditional: Tape drive or tape robot
  More about tape based backup hardware >>
  
  • Modern: Virtual tape libraries
  More about virtual tape libraries >>

• Backup software:
  • Control instance of all backup processes
  • Central management of backup catalog
  More about backup software >>

We are happy to assist you in developing and implementing a backup concept tailored to your individual requirements. Simply contact our team of advisors.

Server

The backup server represents the interface between the clients to be backed up and the backup hardware and, at the same time, is the hardware basis for the backup software. Configuration or selection of appropriate backup hardware is carried out after the overall design process as this process specifies the connection layers and communication methods used.

In practice, the backup server is normally represented in the server network and the storage area network (SAN). The servers to be backed up are connected using a high speed network connection such as Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet, which meets the speed requirements of the solution. The backup hardware is traditionally connected using SCSI, fibre channel or iSCSI.

When it comes to choosing the right hardware platform for a backup server, there are various factors to consider:

• Availability of hardware
  • Reliable server hardware
  • Redundant power supply units
  • Mirrored operating system disks

• Performance
  • High speed buses for high performance data transmission / processing
  • High speed connection to clients and backup hardware
  • Sufficient main memory for buffering data

Find the right server for your backup environment here >>

Tape drives and tape libraries

Tape drives are the most traditional of all backup options. Originally, the drives were part of the servers or connected externally using SCSI. The backup was normally carried out at night, decentrally as a full backup, and the administrator changed the tapes and stored them securely the following morning. Tape libraries were a marginal development that were only found in very large environments.

Over time, a move towards automated central backup environments emerged. There was a strong tendency towards central backups.

• Advantages of a central backup infrastructure:
  • Easy central administration
  • Tapes do not need to be changed every day
  • Better tape utilisation and higher ROI

However, the use of tape robots means that it is necessary to reconsider the backup strategy. Full backups of the machines to be backed up are normally only produced once a week, while the individual days are backed up incrementally. Unlike with the decentralised approach, in this case backups of different servers are written to the same tapes, which results in better return on investment (ROI). As soon as a tape is full, it is then changed automatically and the server continues writing data to a new tape.

Contact us and we will be happy to advise on the right equipment for your environment.

Find out more about the right backup libraries for your backup environment here >>

Virtual tape libraries

Virtual tape libraries (VTLs) are an integral component of modern backup environments. They represent an integrated solution that offers the combined advantages of two storage methods and thus help to optimise backup and restore processes - the speed and reliability of hard disks and the simplicity of a tape library.

A VTL uses hard disk arrays for the primary backup and restore processes. This allows the existing applications to use the access speed and excellent reliability of RAID systems without the need to introduce new processes or change the backup software.

The integration of data de-duplication mechanisms into modern VTL appliances allows them to be used as a long-term archive for data. The data de-duplication process analyses backup data for duplicate stored items of data. If a file, file component or data block that is already stored on the VTL is identified, it is not stored again, merely referenced. This procedure now allows large volumes of full backups to be stored on virtual tape libraries.

The VTL technology makes it easy for IT departments to drastically increase the fault tolerance and access speed of their backup systems without having to make any changes to the existing backup software, disaster recovery process or data storage methods or retrain their staff. In terms of the host systems, VTL appliances appear as one or more libraries with virtual drives and virtual media. The existing backup software can therefore write the data to hard disk using the familiar library drivers and configurations.

Find the right VTL appliances for your backup environment here >>

Software

The heart of every backup environment is the backup software used, which acts as the controlling instance within a backup solution. This software controls and monitors all processes relating to the backup.

• Tasks of backup software:
  • Managing the backup and media catalog
  • Controlling all backup and recovery processes
  • Exclusive library control
  • Shutting down and restarting processes (for offline backup)
  • Communication with applications (for online backup)

The correct choice of software is normally dependent on the expected function, which is directly related to the IT infrastructure. The range of functions and options available vary significantly depending on the backup software, which results in huge limitations in terms of usability for special environments.

• Criteria for choosing backup software:
  • Backup server operating system
  • Operating systems on clients to be backed up
  • Available modules for online backup of applications and services
  • Disaster recovery functionality
  • High performance requirements

Because we care about your data, we are happy to advise you on choosing the right backup software for your environment.