HolTech Services

Putting the Personal in Personal Computing

Backups and Storage

HolTech Services can provide the following Backup and Storage services:

Integrated and packaged Hardware and Software solutions, to suit Clients' needs
All PC Desktop/Notebook and Server requirements
Fire-Resistant Data Safes
UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply
Backup and Storage Consulting

Below we discuss some of the factors that should be taken into account when performing Backups.

Backups

For the uninitiated, a Backup is a copy of computer data, taken to allow restoration of this data should the original be lost in some way.

Whilst most people in Business who own a computer (PC) will take a Backup at some stage, many people don't properly know what to do with these Backups once they have been taken. Also, there are many varied Methods, as well as Media, for taking Backups.

Let's start with Media.

Media is what the Backup is copied on to; e.g. 3.5" floppy diskette (FD), CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), tape, DVD, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), etc. The media should meet the requirements for the Backup, including amount of data to be Backed-up, Backup longevity and Backup mobility. (Refer Table below for Media capabilities.) For example, if you are currently performing Backups to Floppy Disks and you are using more than 10 for each backup, then it may be worthwhile switching to CD-ROM's, either CD-R (write once) or CD-RW (write many). Then again, if you're using more than 3 CD's for each Backup, it may be time to look at tape, DVD or HDD (both internal removable and external).

Now for Methods.

Methods means the type of Backup performed. For example, usually most people perform "FULL" backups, where the entire folders are copied. However, one of the most efficient methods of Backup on a Daily basis is "INCREMENTAL", where only files that have been changed are Backed-up. Be aware that Backup software may interpret various Methods in different ways.

MEDIA TYPE	CAPACITY	MOBILE	COMPATIBILITY
3.5" FD	1.44 Mb	Yes	Highly
Zip	100 Mb / 250 Mb	Yes	Fairly
LS120	120 Mb / 240 Mb	Yes	Not Very
CD-ROM - CD-R	650/700 Mb	Yes	Extremely
CD-ROM - CD-RW	< 600 Mb Formatted	Yes	Very
DVD	4.7 Gb / 8.5 Gb	Yes	Highly
Blu-Ray	25 Gb / 50 Gb	Yes	Not Very, Yet
Rev	35 Gb / 90 Gb	Yes	Not Very
TAPE	0-100+ Gb	Yes	Not very
IDE HDD	40-750 Gb	Not usually, but easily possible	Extremely

Table B1 - Some information on media types.

Storage

Now, what to do with these Backups.

All of us know that we have to store these Backups once we've taken them, but few people know where or how to store them properly. At least one copy of Backups should be stored Off-Site to the premises housing the PC from which the Backups were taken. This is in case of fire, flood, theft, etc.

To illustrate this, let me tell you a true story of someone known to me. The Business was a Panel-Beating Business and the Business was lost completely, because the PC Backups were stored on the same premises as the PC. The PC Backups were stored in the drawer underneath the PC and the entire premises literally went up in smoke. The Owner didn't know who owed him money, whereas his creditors still knew that he owed them money. Consequently, he lost the Business.

How to store Backup Media is also an important point and this may depend on the type of Media. Floppy Diskettes (FDs) should not be stored near magnetic fields. However CD-ROMs will not be affected by magnetic fields. ALL Media should be kept away from smoke, including cigarette smoke. Smoking should not be allowed near computers of any type; this includes in the Office. ALL Media should be kept away from excessive heat, dust, damp and condensation. Backups should preferably be kept in a Fire-Resistant Data Safe, both On-Site Backups and Off-Site backups. According to Chubb "Computer media needs a far better protection than information stored on paper" and I would agree with this assessment.

Also, please note that I said Fire-Resistant Data Safe, not merely Fire-Resistant Safe. A Data Safe is specifically suited to storing Data safely, as opposed to documents, by keeping the internal temperature at or below 52 degrees Celsius.

A Fire-Resistant Safe, usually used for documents, will keep the internal temperature at or below 65 degrees Celsius.

(Please also Refer to the "Disaster Recovery" Web page)

(Please also Refer to the "Data Recovery" Web page)

For contact details, please Refer to the " Contact Us" Web page

ABN: 83 003 197 893

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