Extra Server or Tape Backup

[stevieb]

I recently ordered 2 new servers to take over fromthe old ones, with the old ones being relegated to CCTV servers for the House and Office.

I am looking for a backup solution either a tape backup system

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pvaul_112t?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd
£1500 speced up

or a second server

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pedge_1750?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd
£1700 Specced Up with Linux Server (3x70Gig HD installed)

What would your choice be for the solution considering setup costs running costs etc

If i go for the backup server what is the best backup software to use??

Im leaning towards the extra server rather than tape

Steve

Edited to add we have around 100Gig of business critical information to backup each month, it increases by 2 to 3gig permonth.


>>> Edited by stevieb on Tuesday 10th February 01:34

[JamieBeeston]

it all depends.

its well and good using a Second server, but this is more prone to

a) actually ending up being used in itself when needs arise, negating its 'stand alone' reason d'etré

b) its more prone to hardware / software failiure, puting your valuable data at risk

c) you cant store Tb's and Tb's for ever (unless you plan to rotate out the hdds) like you can with Tape.

LTO / DLT2 are nice solutions, only you know if they are overkill

Servers as NAS rarely end up as Nas, and invariably end up as servers

[puggit]

You could use Veritas Backup Exec for Tape Backups (just finished 3 years working in BE support). It is the most widely used solution for small businesses (and some large ones!). From speaking to customers it is the best tape backup solution out there for small sizes (around 6 servers or less).

You could also backup to disk using BE, but only on to drives stored on Windows servers. This would act in exactly the same way as tape backup.

Any questions, let me know

[jam1et]

I agree with everyhting Jamie B has said. Another couple of points to bear in mind:

The location of the back up server - If its on the same site what happens when your office burns down and both servers go up on smoke? You cant exactly take a server home with you every night like you can with tape. If its remote, this can cause logistical problems of its own. How far away is it? If your offices have burnt down then your internet link to the backup server has probably gone too, so how do you restore?

Transfer times - Good tape drives work at about 160Mbps on dual channel whereas you'd never get this performance accross a standard network, unless you're running gigabit of course.

[stevieb]

Cheers all,

Im splashing out and installing everything new in the office.


Got my order ready for 4 x PowerEdge 2650 Rack Server. New 2608 Gigabit Switch and 3348 MAnaged Switch. Plus several workstations, and a Tape Backup System

I have looked at HP/Compaq Stuff but didnt really like em, Are Fujistsu any good or what other servers can you recommend..

Steve

[JamieBeeston]

Got a fewhundred K of Dell Kit, and its fine on the whole.

The older kit (2x 8x p3 xeon 8450) used to be a bit 'problematic', but the new stuff is fine mostly (apart from the 1650s that smoke ;P )

never had to use the support in anger, which I suppose is a good thing.

Sounds like you have come into a few pennies Steve Congrats.

[puggit]

Dell bundle Veritas Backup Exec with their tape servers, so you've got that covered.

Edited to say - if you're using a SAN network, I would only consider Dell or HP for backups...

>> Edited by puggit on Tuesday 10th February 12:10

[andyf007]

I would go with something like a Tandberg SDLT220 or 320 tape drive fitted to one of your servers and use Backup Exec to automate the backups overnight. You would need at least 5 tapes, preferably 10, for rotation, bear in mind the cost of these (c.£50 each). Make sure you keep the latest ones offsite. Most back up tapes give a size, in the case of the 220 it infers 220Gb of data storage. In practice expect around 75 - 80% of this, as not all data can be compressed at the maximum rate. Preferably do full server backups every night rather than specific data or incrementals, this will give you an easier recovery should you lose a server due to fire or pikeys.


Andy

[stevieb]

JamieBeeston said:

Sounds like you have come into a few pennies Steve Congrats.

Not really got to spend it cause the problem with the existing servers is that one has blown up the other one cant cope and they were 2nd user anyway that was 2 years ago. So you can guess how old they are.

Every time the server goes down work completly stops and i end up paying people to sit and play solitaire allday. wich roughly costs me 1k per day the server is down plus we fall behind with work.

The server has gone down 8 times since xmas so that 8k last in wasted wages payments. So i am getting all new stuff and hopefully have less down time and hence boost productivity, hence more money well thats the plan.

But i have had to forgo my plan of getting a 996 now just getting a X5

Steve

[puggit]

andyf007 said:

I would go with something like a Tandberg SDLT220 or 320 tape drive fitted to one of your servers and use Backup Exec to automate the backups overnight.

SDLT on a SAN = Mutt's nutts!!!

[jam1et]

Web based company steve? Your site is pretty static at the mo. Now you've got all that new kit are you planning on developing a nice dynamic, database driven site, with product catalogue, prices, availability, online ordering etc?

>> Edited by jam1et on Tuesday 10th February 16:01

[JamieBeeston]

jam1et said:

Web based company steve? Your site is pretty static at the mo. Now you've got all that new kit are you planning on developing a nice dynamic, database driven site, with product catalogue, prices, availability, online ordering etc? >> Edited by jam1et on Tuesday 10th February 16:01

And ofcourse some top class host^H^H^H^H^H^H

as If I would

got some lovely new LTO drives for B&Q, ultra quick.. and tb's of easy access storage...

Ultimate in speed tho, is a nice powervault Raid array. break it each night and replace with 6 new disks, then store the disks off site / fire safe..

in event of failiure, just drop your disks back in, instant back online!

[Bodo]

Steve, what are the servers used for? Are they for your ecommerce, or the engineering environment? You once mentioned you use Pro/Engineer for your business; do you use it together with Windchill, Intralink or a 3rd party PDM/PLM?

[stevieb]

jam1et said:

Web based company steve? Your site is pretty static at the mo. Now you've got all that new kit are you planning on developing a nice dynamic, database driven site, with product catalogue, prices, availability, online ordering etc? >> Edited by jam1et on Tuesday 10th February 16:01

JAmie a new site is in progress but the website isnt really that important to the business at them mo.

But if you have looked at the sound and vision site thats a new venture.

2 servers are for storage/mail/intranet/CCTV/Automation/and software development testing.

4th server is for Client Login.

You should see whats been developed since i was made redundant 2 years ago.
Computer/Networking/automation company
Aerospace engineering company
Project managment company for self builds
Hifi Dealership

and possibly a Cafe later this year, if i bother to finish my quals possible a IFA company(ive done 1 exam but thinking of leaving it)

Steve

>> Edited by stevieb on Tuesday 10th February 17:24

[stevieb]

Bodo said:

Steve, what are the servers used for? Are they for your ecommerce, or the engineering environment? You once mentioned you use Pro/Engineer for your business; do you use it together with Windchill, Intralink or a 3rd party PDM/PLM?

I dont know what all the ProE stuff is called but its cost a packet.. I know we use project link if that rings a bell.

>> Edited by stevieb on Tuesday 10th February 17:15

[agent006]

Just to second the idea of an SDLT drive. Second server isn't disaster proof. Anything more is just overkill for 100gb.