If you're like most small business owners, your computer data backup of one of the things that you rarely pay attention. Computer data backup sort of like your teeth dental floss and low-fat, high fiber foods eat... everyone knows what are you supposed to do... but really do these things like many religious?
If your computer data backup but it unfortunately very dangerous complacency. Of course always a good idea, a local computer service company you for guidance in selecting and maintaining your computer data backup can leave have. But, unless you are ready a fulltime PC agents on your company to payroll, it is really important that you a basic understanding of the major problems with computer data backup.
So here on a compilation of some really crucial tips protect your valuable computer data files small business helps computer data backup I made after almost 15 years.
Regularly test your computer data backup and monitor your log files.
To be effective, computer data backup must be, highly automated to ensure that jobs start consistently and correctly, but your computer data backup system must also diligently guarded to ensure that it works reliably continue.
Unfortunately, not monitoring the computer data backup-system in General is a priority until something goes wrong. Until then it is too late.... As the article title, "try wines now or later!"
People have a strong tendency with a computer data backup system to set up and forget it. Automation clearly has many advantages, but a fully automated approach can be very dangerous if nobody is listening on your computer data backup process.
Test and test again: very important with computer data backup systems
With a newly installed computer data backup system, not assume everything works fine right out of the box. More important is not a given that your backup system will continue to function indefinitely. You need to check that still works some folders and files restore your computer data backup system regularly from your backup media.
If your automated computer data backup routine includes a check run configured with each backup job is, should test an example restore job be monthly fine. However you may have a very low tolerance for risk, you want to simulate an example restore job once a week.
The danger of moving parts and open design with computer backup systems
Why do you need to take these precautions when you a reliable buy to start business class computer data backup system are? A tape drive or other backup medium is usually a few component in a PC or servers that have moving parts.
It is therefore more prone to mechanical failure. In addition, because a backup device is generally open in contrast to the enclosed design of a hard disk, it is computer data backup system to gain a significant dust buildup in a relatively short time just for inside of the instrument.
Example restore jobs and cleaning tape heads of computer data backup systems
Testing a tape for an example restore job is also a good time to clean the heads of the backup drive if your requires backup system of this type of maintenance.
Restore from several hundred megabytes (MB) of data to a scratch directory, and run a head cleaning tape should take no more than 15-30 minutes.
If a test restore job is running, you need to restore the data always to an alternative server folder path, disrupting the use of shared folders.
Building a computer system backup and restore procedures checklist
In times of crisis, the key question is how quickly you can get back undamaged data on your system. So make sure as you create your computer data backup system, document your test procedures in practical checklists.
This documentation may be also ideal for cross-training and avoiding panic during an emergency key. Be sure you have a saved hard copy of this documentation in addition to your system and off-site to your backup media.
Watch the log files from your computer data backup system
In addition to the test restore jobs do you need to check your computer data backup system log files daily. If the backup system is first installed, you take to time familiar with the way log files, when everything is working. This way, if something goes wrong is better prepared to identify the type of problem, immediately you will.
How network operating system (NOS) suites and backup software always refined, it's now possible to track remote backup system log files and more proactively. In most cases, the backup system log files are just plain text (.txt) files.
Many third-party tools and utilities, as well as those provided with Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server (SBS) and Microsoft BackOffice Server, can automatically e-mail or fax a backup system log file at a pre-defined time.
Automatically and remotely monitoring tape backup log files
Many computer consultants have their small business customer log files automatically e-mailed to you daily so consultants can watch proactively potential problems with the computer data backup system.
Think but not limited to professional consultants this proactive monitoring. If your company to support you from a central location has one or more branches, also you can a similar method to monitor backup system health in remote locations.
To greater flexibility, you can E-mail alias so the computer data set up backup system log file automatically for you, your substitute and maybe an outside computer consultant - is sent so that you are kept up-to-date. Continue in this way, monitoring, also if you on the road or on vacation.
The bottom line
If your small business significantly its computer systems dependent on backing up your data not optional... and it is not something that can be casually brushed on the back burner.
Use the computer data backup tips articles, to give you more IT-aware help are small business owner. And keep in mind when it comes to computer data backups, "test now or cry later". The choice is yours.
Joshua Feinberg is a 15-year computer-veteran consultants, an internationally recognized expert on small business computer consulting. He joined dozens of business and IT professional journals, including American Express OPEN Platinum ventures, entrepreneur, Inc, PUNKTZAHL, small business computing and USA today. Joshua?s money-saving tips for small business PC support experience, visit his website at http://www.PCSupportTips.com
