JUST TO REFLECT ABOUT BACKUP
JUST TO REFLECT ABOUT BACKUP
I remember my second job in an I.T. Provider for telecommunication companies back in my country. Being a Senior Technical Support for the organization, we are tasked in doing the BACKUP of our system including the database as well as the disaster recovery routine in the DATA CENTER. Transactions through the Server were very critical, since we serve customers nationwide 24/7. For the logs, we have automatic as well as manual logs for the job. Once the job is finished, a program (customized by the company’s programmers) will automatically save the logs and send an e-mail report (via intranet) to corresponding team tasks to audit it in a routine basis. We are still doing manual logs in the data sheet as a way of backup log. We are using HP Tape (forgot the model?) and most of the Servers were either Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advance Server. The system functions as a 3 ONSITE SQL SERVERS (1 Main Server and 2 Backup Servers). Other Server functions as RAS, PROXY, WEB and PRODUCTION (operations).
1) DAILY BACKUP - The Backup Procedure however, is given a schedule time wherein clients may not be allowed to connect in 15 minutes max. It is being done between 10:30PM-11:00PM nightly. Data includes the SQL Database (after closing daily transactions for all the customers nationwide). Automatic (scheduled) Tape BACKUP as well as mirror Server BACKUP is being done daily for the UPDATED SQL DATA. Each tape each day (labelled MON, TUE...).
2) WEEKLY BACKUP – The next level of BACKUP assigned to TECHNICAL SUPPORT GROUP is the weekly (weekend) BACKUP. ALL OF THE WEEK’S TRANSACTION AND UPDATED DATA will be Automatically (scheduled) saved in the Tape BACKUP as well as mirror Server BACKUP.
3) MONTHLY & YEARLY BACKUP – As to the sensitivity of the DATA as well as the SYSTEM itself (including reports, e-mails, others), this task falls to the NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR and the DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR accompanied by a SENIOR PROGRAMMER.
4) Disaster Recovery is also being simulated on a MONTHLY basis to ensure that the system is prepared for it.
Each backup, once finished is being brought to the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and being kept there securely (a separate office from the DATA CENTER).
The company had also planned to hire a third-party DATA CENTER to provide IMMEDIATE MIRROR OFFSITE SERVER once the ALREADY-REDUNDANT DATA CENTER SYSTEM FAILS TO FUNCTION. Unfortunately, for the sake of learning more about OFFSITE REDUNDANT SERVER, during those proposal times when I was fortunate to leave the company and accept a job here abroad.
One thing to mention about BACKUPS, tape was sensitive specifically with its labels, since in scheduling, we use the tapes customized label to identify with each schedule. It is the job of the TECH SUPP to check the tape mounted (for next schedule) before logging out the SERVER ROOM (BTW, our Servers were kept in a separate computer room properly monitored by 2 CAMERAS directly monitored and recorder from the remote office of the COO. Even the monitoring has a schedule and tapes of the camera were being kept together with the BACKUP tapes). For added security, the BUILDING has an authentication system (using swipe cards) for entering the building premises. Each employee is provided a card for the main entrance of the floor. Our own system has also a separate swipe card (ID) before entering the DATA CENTER. Every ENTYR-EXIT made by the card is being logged as well in the system.
In the event that Disaster happens, a complete guide to the RECOVERY of the system is a must-know-how for each member of the BACKUP group. A report would follow about the recovery and a brainstorming to be included in the earliest possible meeting together with the concerned group. Warranting an improvement in the system or procedure, as soon as justified and approved, implementation took place.
Lastly, I could add that it is also important to define the MAXIMUM RETENTION PERIOD wherein the DATA should be kept for security purposes. And backup tapes sometimes worn-out, you have to consider it as well.
Yo!
