The scheduling feature, from either your
operating system or backup software application, can take care of
this much-needed automation. Relying on manual steps always leads to
trouble, either with procrastination, or more certainly the first
time the designated backup system operator goes on vacation or is
otherwise out of the office. Automated scheduling of backup jobs
also removes the burden of remembering to launch the backup. In most
cases, you'll want this automated backup routine to start after
hours, when files are least likely to be in use.
Unattended Backup Software and Server Backup Automation:
Microsoft and Third-Party
In terms of software for unattended backup
jobs, many versions of Microsoft Windows include backup software.
With Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4 and the Scheduled Task
Wizard from Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, you can schedule
unattended backup jobs through the Scheduled Task Wizard, reachable
through the My Computer icon. With Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional, the scheduling mechanism is built right into the
included Backup utility program, as seen in Figure 6-1.
Also, most third-party backup software
programs, such as Computer Associates BrightStor ARCserve (www.ca.com)
and VERITAS Backup Exec (www.veritas.com),
include intuitive scheduling tools to help automate your backup
jobs.
The Backup software included with
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional has an integrated scheduling
function so backup jobs can be easily automated.
Planning for Adequate Server Backup Storage Capacity
As you plan to automate your backup system, be
sure your backup drive capacity is large enough so you don’t have
to swap out media in the middle of backup jobs. Automation loses
much of its appeal when backup jobs must span more than one media
unit or tape cartridge.
Because no one is likely to be around to change
media at 2 a.m., be sure to select a backup system that is large
enough, with ample room for growth, to back up all server volumes on
a single media unit. There are backup systems with robotic
mechanisms that automatically change media for you, but these are
generally way beyond the
price range a small business would budget for a robust backup
system.
Server Backup Automation Action Items
How much data presently needs to be backed
up? How much will there be in 12 to 18 months?
What time of the day is best for the backup
window? When are systems at their lowest utilization points?
Who is responsible for performing backup
and restore jobs? How is this supervised? What controls are in place
to make sure the backup jobs are done according to the established
plan?
Who's the secondary backup operator, in the
event the primary person is unavailable? Are these responsibilities
part of the primary and secondary persons' formal job descriptions?
Who configures and monitors the automated
backup job schedule?
What software application is responsible
for the automation in your backup system?
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