Backup Solutions For SMBs

For a PC systems builder, providing backups is a great value-add. Anyone who has had the misfortune of losing an important file--and that's everyone--understands the need for a solid backup solution, which begins by asking your clients the right questions:

• Do you really need to back up this PC? If the data is stored elsewhere on a network, perhaps the PC is generic enough to be replaced with a clone or standby.

• Is the PC's configuration critical? For systems where the configuration is more important than transient data stored there, image backup alone may be sufficient.

• How much critical data do you have? This will help you determine a suitable size for a backup device.

• Must backups be stored off-site? You may need to use removable media and a safe deposit box or other secure location.

• How often does your critical data change? This will determine the frequency of backups.

• How quickly must your operation be restored? Mission-critical PCs, for example, might need to be cloned for swapping in a disaster.

• Do your apps manipulate large files? They may warrant a separate backup.

• Do you need to restore previous versions of files or just the most recent? This will help you determine if a file-based or duplicate backup solution is needed.

Hardware And Software

Of course, when asked what data they would most like to protect, clients will tend to say "all of it." In the past, due to the limits of target hardware and media, they had to decide what data was most critical. There's no reason to decide anymore. Today's disk hardware is increasing in size and shrinking in price.

Tape devices have historically been the popular choice, with many being switched out for CD or DVD disks. But the features of new add-on external hard drives are making add-ons attractive. USB and FireWire make adding an external disk, such as Maxtor's 200-GB OneTouch II USB or Iomega's 35-GB removable Rev, about as easy as plugging in a cable. Each comes with software that can be configured in minutes to back up either an entire system or just a few critical files.

Software is key, too. While backups can be made on various media (such as hard disk, tape, CD and DVD), the type of backup depends on your choice of software. Essentially, backups can be either file- or image-based.

Image-based backups create a bit-for-bit image of the source disk, including files and other system artifacts. Popular choices for imaging software include Symantec's Norton Ghost and Acronis' True Image.

File-based are the most common type of backup, and they are also the easiest from which to restore a lost or damaged file. Depending on how the file-based software is configured, files in file-based backups are stored either as "duplicates" or in "backup sets" from which individual files can be restored.

As you build your own solutions, keep these important goals in mind:

• Scalability: Today your client may have less than 100 GB of data to protect, but will most likely have much more tomorrow.

• Quality: Name brands make the client's choice easier.

• Ease-of-use: Find a solution that can tackle complex tasks, such as backing up Windows registry, easily.

Backup Strategies

Image
Advantages: Bit-for-bit gets all information, including data not stored in files; fastest restore in emergency; best for "cloning" machines.
Disadvantages: More difficult to quickly restore individual files; must organize, label and store images.

Duplicates
Advantages: Mounts like normal file system; can be mounted on other PCs; looks like source-file system, so it is easy to locate backed-up files.
Disadvantages: Retains only most recent copy, so previous versions unavailable; no compression.

Backup Sets
Advantages: Captures all versions; effective compression stores more data; saves and restores handled through backup application GUI.
Disadvantages: Backup application must be installed to restore files.

Andy McDonough is a freelance writer based in New Jersey.