System and Database Backup & Recovery

Although hardware these days is far superior to what we had to work with 15 years ago, the need for reliable & timely data backup and recovery procedures is still one of the most important tasks an IT department handles for the operation.

Database
The later versions of Microsoft SQL Server have data maintenance plans built into the software.  The software supports a couple of different types of recovery models, such as Full and Simple. 

The Full Recovery model uses database backups and transaction log backups to provide complete protection against media failure. If one or more data files are damaged, media recovery can restore all committed transactions. In-process transactions are rolled back.

Simple Recovery requires the least administration. In the Simple Recovery model, data is recoverable only to the most recent full database or differential backup. Transaction log backups are not used, and minimal transaction log space is used. After the log space is no longer needed for recovery from server failure, it is reused.  The Simple Recovery model is easier to manage than the Full or Bulk-Logged models, but at the expense of higher data loss exposure if a data file is damaged.

System Files
In high volume environments, such as with CrossForm, system files are typically backed up by first archiving them over a high speed pipe to a large device, such as a SAN (storage area network) that is capable of storing data in the terabytes.  Then, the files are moved to tape or removable media for storage off-site.  Note that after a database backup has been performed, it results in a system file that can be moved to tape in this same fashion.

Disaster Recovery
The topic of Disaster Recovery, or “DR” for short, is very broad and beyond the scope of this article.  However, it’s importance cannot be overstated.  What is the cost of being without your operational system for a day or two, or even 4 hours?  The DR plan can be as simple as an outline for “going to paper” and then inputting the data once the system comes back up.  DR plans can also get very technical and expensive to maintain.  A fully “hot” DR site requires that two identical systems reside in different cities, yet the backup system is kept fully up to date with changes from the production system within just a few minutes.  There is a significant cost to a hot DR site as you can imagine.

Hosted Platforms
Many companies today rely on hosted software applications to alleviate their IT department from the high internal cost of purchasing and maintaining hardware, monitoring backup plans and hosting DR sites.  The software is purchased as a monthly service rather than an asset.  The software and hosting company handles all upgrades, redundancy, 24×7 emergency support, data backup, recovery and DR plan administration. 

In summary, please make sure your data is being backed up regularly and stored off-site in a fireproof location.  Also, consider a hosted platform for your next software purchase.  I think you will find the cost to be very competitive versus purchasing and maintaining your own infrastructure, and from an application support perspective (such as with CrossForm), the support can’t be beat.      

Contact us for more details about this article or our CrossForm ASP solution.