Automatic data backup

Automatic data backup is a set of measures intended to generate copies of files and restore files if they are lost. Such copies are necessary if the data are lost due to technical failures, or malicious destruction of the data.

Running a business smoothly without cloud storage and database backup today is impossible. Modern companies know of the importance of protecting their confidential data against the human factor, system failures and cyber attacks. Quick recovery also means less reputation and financial risk during downtime.

When we’re just talking about a single local hard drive, copying the data to a flash drive or another portable device is enough. When it comes to a large company, the role of the flash drive is taken over by certified data centres.

When can automatic data backups help you?

The main purpose of having data backups is being able to restore the data if:

• an emergency, or a natural disaster takes place;
• a user inadvertently deletes the data;
• a failure occurs in computer hardware;
• loss of data on the server.

Keeping data backups can also simplify certain administrative tasks that involve looking up and sorting data, archiving data, transferring data from one server to another, and setting up access rights.

Disaster recovery

Disaster recovery involves the ability to get as much out of automatic data backup as possible, and quickly restore the work processes. This is not about simply copying the last version of the file back to the computer, but about protecting the work processes as quickly as possible. The mechanism involves activating the IT infrastructure of the company, which includes launching the virtual machines.

DEAC develops solutions that make it possible to restore data in any working environment: be it cloud, software-defined, physical or virtual. A custom data recovery program is designed for every client. It takes into account the special features of the company’s main business and its infrastructure.

Data backup or disaster recovery

Data backup means producing additional (backup) copies of your data. Disaster recovery means restoring the functions of the operating system. Medium and large companies need the latter: these include for example banks, HoReCa and IT businesses, trade intermediaries and other entities where the business processes take place online and without interruption. Both preserving the data and keeping the services available is important in this case.

Smaller businesses and manufacturing companies only need automatic data backup, because for them, longer downtime would have a negligible adverse effect on their budget and reputation.

Data backup technologies

There are two data backup technologies

Cloud backup

Cloud backup is also referred to as ‘backup-as-a-service’ (BaaS). It is done on the basis of Veeam Backup & Replication. This is the most practical technology for storing data. Moving your files to the cloud protects them from data loss caused by hardware failure. The number of users who prefer this method is growing.

With cloud backup, the data are distributed over multiple remote servers, instead of being sent to a specific location. This reduces the risk of losses. An encryption option is important for confidential information.

The Veeam technologies involve only paying for the resources you use. At the same time, the companies can quickly perform replication, backup, cloud recovery.

The Veeam platform stands for:

• business security and uninterrupted operation;
• quick and convenient disaster recovery of data;
• cloud backup service;
• high level of security;
• customised automatic backup configuration;
• virtual machine recovery after failures outside the platform.

Veeam® Cloud Connect™ also provides VMware vSphere, an effective solution for replicating processing and storage resource loads.

IBM Spectrum Protect is another successful cloud solution. With it, you can independently set the frequency of the backups, the duration of data storage, as well as:

• recovery in software-defined, physical, virtual and cloud environments;
• store backup copies using data centre services, for top security;
• configurations for administration and access management for multiple platforms;
• customise the settings of the solution;
• saving and copying of packaged and specialised software;
• quickly recover data from specific backup copies.

This option also involves only paying for those services in the package that the client actually uses.

The benefits of cloud backup

• Security thanks to encryption and selective access.
• Financial savings maintaining a virtual storage facility.
• Full transfer of data from the cloud and into the computer, including the operating system, software and settings.
• Selective backup as necessary.
• Ease in administration, which can be carried out directly by the client.
• Compatibility with traditional storage solutions. Cloud and local-server data can be synchronised.
• Automatic mode. Update frequency customisable based on the needs of the client.

Data backup automation

The success of a business largely depends on the stability of its IT systems. Interruptions and failures in them can paralyse a company, cause financial harm, annoy the clients and, ultimately, damage the company’s reputation. Minimising the risks requires correctly setting up the automation of data backups.

Update frequency

The more often you save new data or new versions of old files, the more up-to-date your backup will be if you have to recover lost data. The more frequently the backup is saved, the more that is expected of the data centre. Not every service provider can satisfy the needs of the clients in terms of frequency of updates.

Amount of data

It is important to estimate the amounts of data to be continuously updated in advance. The size of the database determines the type of storage, and the necessity for accommodating the server in the data centre.

Duration of storage

Old versions of files are not stored forever. They are erased once a certain period of time runs out. The longer the files are to be stored, the more space you need in the cloud. You can only select the right rate if you determine the duration of storage.

It is worth understanding that though it technically can free up space, file compression does little in terms of reducing the amount of information. This is due to the fact that not every file can be compressed without losing its initial quality and functions. For example, compressed video loses its sharpness, as well as audio and colour fidelity.

Time to produce and retrieve a backup copy

The faster you need backup copies to be generated and retrieved, the higher the performance of the disk subsystem of the standby data centre must be.

Retrieving data from a backup

The special circumstances of a business may be such that certain information must be kept both before and after changes take place. Different storage media are used for this purpose, including disks, tape etc.

RAIDs

Fault-tolerant RAIDs are additional independent disks that you may need to maintain continuous access to your backups. Using such equipment increases the cost of storing files.

Server availability when producing a backup copy

The most common solution is making a backup every 24 hours, which requires stopping the operation of the server. It usually takes place when the demand for operating resources is minimal (in the evening, at night, during off-hours at the office). If the automation solution involves producing backups more frequently, shutting the server down can be undesirable. In this case, a snapshot of the file system is taken, and then used to make a backup.

To set up automatic data backup, you certainly don’t have to be an advanced user or be familiar with all the details of information technologies. It is enough to get in touch with specialists to find out your needs, offer service packages that suit you best in terms of performance and additional services; they will tell you about the advantages of leasing data centres and provide you with the IT support you need.