Backup Assessment
Start by identifying what exists and what needs protection.
- Critical computers
- Servers
- Business documents
- Databases
- Application data
- Configuration files
- Cloud data
Raleigh-Durham Backup & Disaster Recovery
A Backup Is Only Valuable If You Can Restore It
Protect the information and systems your business depends on with local, off-site and cloud backups, restore testing and documented recovery procedures.
Backup Is About Recovery
Creating copies of data is only the first part of a backup strategy.
The real question is what happens when a server fails, a computer is damaged, files are deleted, storage becomes corrupted or important information is otherwise unavailable.
A useful backup system answers a much more important question: How do we get the business running again?
network-connection.net helps businesses identify what needs protection, where copies should be stored and how those systems and files will actually be restored.
“Backup Completed” Is Not the Finish Line
A successful backup job does not necessarily prove that every
important file is present or that the information can be restored
when needed. Recovery testing is part of a serious backup strategy.
Business Backup Services
Build protection around the systems and information that would matter most during a failure.
Local Backup
Maintain fast local copies for efficient recovery when appropriate.
- External storage
- Backup servers
- Network storage
- Scheduled backups
- File-level recovery
- System backup
Off-Site Backup
Keep an independent copy away from the primary location.
- Off-site storage
- Rotated backup media
- Secondary systems
- Remote backup targets
- Geographic separation
Cloud Backup
Use remote storage where it makes sense as part of a broader recovery strategy.
- Cloud storage
- Encrypted transfers
- Remote copies
- Retention planning
- Recovery planning
Restore Testing
Verify that backups contain usable information before an emergency occurs.
- File restores
- Directory restores
- Sample recovery tests
- Backup verification
- Recovery documentation
Disaster Recovery Planning
Decide in advance how important systems will be restored.
- Recovery priorities
- Critical-system inventory
- Recovery procedures
- Replacement equipment planning
- Recovery-time expectations
Backup Monitoring
Backups should not quietly fail for months without anyone noticing.
- Backup status review
- Failed-job investigation
- Storage-capacity checks
- Log review
- Periodic verification
Server Backup
Protect the servers and services running critical business workloads.
- Linux servers
- Windows servers
- File servers
- Web servers
- Virtual machines
- Configuration backups
Recovery Documentation
Important recovery knowledge should not exist only in someone's memory.
- Backup locations
- Recovery steps
- System dependencies
- Credential procedures
- Recovery priorities
The 3-2-1 Backup Principle
One widely used approach to backup resilience is the 3-2-1 principle.
The exact implementation depends on the business, but the idea is simple: do not allow one equipment failure, one corrupted storage device or one physical location to hold every copy of important information.
For some environments that may involve a primary system, local backup storage and another independent copy stored remotely or in the cloud.
3 Copies
Keep the working data plus additional backup copies.
2 Storage Methods Avoid relying entirely on one device or storage system.
1 Copy Stored Separately Keep at least one independent copy away from the primary environment.
2 Storage Methods Avoid relying entirely on one device or storage system.
1 Copy Stored Separately Keep at least one independent copy away from the primary environment.
Building a Recovery Plan
Disaster recovery starts before the disaster.
1
Identify
Determine which systems, files, databases and services are important to business operations.
2
Prioritize
Decide what must return first and what can remain unavailable longer.
3
Protect
Establish appropriate local, off-site and cloud backup methods.
4
Test
Restore information and verify that the recovery process works before it is needed.
Restore Testing Turns Backup Into Confidence
Businesses sometimes discover backup problems at the worst possible moment: during an actual data-loss event.
Periodic restore testing helps answer critical questions: Is the expected information actually present? Can it be read? Are the recovery instructions correct? Does someone know where the backup is located? How long does recovery realistically take?
Testing does not guarantee that every future recovery will be effortless, but it can expose problems while there is still time to correct them.
Things Worth Verifying
Backup jobs are completing, storage has sufficient capacity,
expected files are present, backup media is accessible, restored
files open correctly, off-site copies remain available and recovery
procedures are documented.
Backup Is Part of the Larger IT Environment
Recovery depends on servers, networks, storage, security and the people responsible for maintaining them.
Business IT Support
Ongoing support for the computers, systems and infrastructure your business depends on.
Business IT →Network Support
Routers, switches, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and business connectivity.
Network Support →Linux & Servers
Linux and Windows servers, web infrastructure, file services and containers.
Server Support →Cloud Services
Cloud infrastructure and remote storage using platforms appropriate for the workload.
Cloud Services →Cybersecurity
Reduce the risk that systems and backup data are compromised.
Cybersecurity →Virtualization
Virtual machines and infrastructure that can simplify some backup and recovery strategies.
Virtualization →Raleigh-Durham Backup & Disaster Recovery
network-connection.net helps businesses throughout Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest and surrounding Triangle communities build practical backup and recovery strategies.
We can work with local systems, remote systems and cloud infrastructure depending on your environment.
Raleigh
Durham
Wake Forest
Cary
Rolesville
Morrisville
North Raleigh
Triangle Area
Backup & Recovery Questions
Isn't having a backup drive enough?
It may provide one useful copy, but relying on a single backup device can still leave a business vulnerable to hardware failure, physical damage, accidental deletion or other events affecting both the original data and the backup.
Should backups be stored off-site?
Important information often benefits from having an independent copy stored separately from the primary location. The appropriate method depends on the business and its recovery requirements.
How do I know whether my backups actually work?
Test them. Restoring selected files or systems is one of the best ways to verify that backup data is usable and that the recovery procedure is understood.
Can you check backups on an ongoing basis?
Yes. Backup status, failures, storage capacity and restore testing can be incorporated into an ongoing business IT support relationship.
Can you back up Linux and Windows servers?
Yes. Backup planning can include Windows systems, Linux systems, servers, workstations, files, applications and other business data.
What areas do you serve?
Our primary service area includes Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Cary and surrounding communities throughout the North Carolina Triangle.
Would Your Backups Work Today?
If you are not sure, that is a good reason to review them. We can help identify what is being protected, what is not and how your business would recover if something failed.