[Gllug] Advice on backup options

[James Goldwater]

Not really an answer to your question, but I've adapted Mike Rubel's 
rsync snapshot scripts for my not-very-intense backup needs 
(http://www.mikerubel.org/computers/rsync_snapshots/)

I backup my servers to a backup server (very underpowerered debian woody 
machine, big h/d), and hold at least 10 days worth of snapshots taken 
every few hours, and weekly/monthlies as well. The nature of the script 
means that although it is effectively an  incremental backup in terms of 
bandwith and h/d space, if you re-share your snapshots (say, over smb or 
nfs) each snapshot looks complete and whole, making restore an absolute 
breeze (just organise the directories:  Machine X -> Tuesday 0400am 
snapshot -> MyDocuments / OtherBlahDirectory etc).   I also re-export a 
snapshot over to a remote machine every night to which I have access, 
using essentially the same scripts.

The only expense is of a biggish h/d, and something like a PII to put it 
in.

Of course, you're concerned with offsite as well, and might not have 
access to someone else's server.  I've often considered building 
something to burn the incrementals to a DVD-R, but haven't got round to 
it.  You should be able to script that up (he says, not knowing how to 
do it!)... That however would probably blow the budget, although 
DVD-writers are getting cheaper these days.



Rev Simon Rumble wrote:

> Hi folks.
> 
> I do volunteer computer work for a non-profit organisation called
> Peaceworkers UK.  (Contact me privately if you're interested in
> helping.)  They're looking to upgrade the hard drive on their
> (e-smith/SME Server -- www.contribs.org) server and need to upgrade
> their (already not particularly great) backup system to match.
> 
> Backup is one of those things where experience counts for a lot, and I
> don't have much.  You only get one shot at getting it right, so I'd
> like to ask your opinion.  1 f34r y0ur l33t b4ckup 5k1ll5
> 
> Please comment on the options in the draft below.  Prices are from
> scan.co.uk -- if you know cheaper or better options, let me know.  All
> suggestions considered.
> 
> As with all non-profits, price is VERY critical.  They don't even have
> any budget for IT left this year, and will have to dip into other pots
> to fund this.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> ====
> 
> Peaceworkers backup and upgrade options
> 
> Peaceworkers require an upgrade to the storage space of the e-smith
> server.  I recommend the following, assuming 40 gigabytes is enough
> storage space.
> 
> 40Gb Maxtor Plus 8 ATA-133 (7200rpm, 2MB) £31.63
> 
> Extra storage space brings with it the problem of data backup.  In the
> commercial sector, tape backups provide the best balance of removable
> storage and low media costs.  The problem is that the startup costs
> are enormous.  An entry-level tape drive costs in excess of £300.  The
> tapes to feed into the drive thereafter, however, are very cheap.
> 
> This price is probably out of the range of Peaceworkers' budget,
> although it is worth considering as the rock-solid dependable option
> that will last for years.
> 
> Backup is designed for two different types of data disaster.  The most
> common is a hard disk crash, where the finite-lifespan of the moving
> disk platter comes to an end, which is unpredictable.  The other is
> the business-continuity problems of major disasters fire, flood,
> nuclear holocaust etc.
> 
> The key features of any data backup system are:
> 
> * Off-site: at least one copy of the data must reside in another
>   physical location at all times. 
> * Verifiable: the backup/restore system must be tested and able to be
>   verified that an actual restorable copy is accurately written every
>   time.
> * Restorable: parts of the data can be quickly and easily restored
>   from backup in the event of accidental damage (delete, overwrite,
>   etc) to individual files.
> * Disaster Recovery: the data can be restored using standard,
>   off-the-shelf equipment in the case of complete loss of original
>   equipment, and the possibility that it may be restored on a
>   completely different system and operating system.
> * Secure: the data must be secure from external eavesdropping at the
>   remote site.
> * Complete: ideally, the data is written in its entirety to a single
>   unit, rather than spanning several.
> 
> Below I have outlined some options and their prices, in descending
> order of preference.
> 
> External hard drives
> 
> Two external hard drives are purchased. On a rotational basis, where
> one of the drives is always off-site, a hard drive is brought in and
> the data copied.  The hard drives must be at least the same capacity
> as the full disk size on the server.
> 
> 40Gb Freecom Classic SL 3.5" Slim Line USB2 (5400rpm,2MB,11ms) @£65.51
> X2 = £131.02
> USB2 interface card for server approx. @£10.00
> 
> Total approximate cost: £140
> 
> Pros: Always one copy of data off-site.  Quick backups.  Backups can
> be daily.  Allowance for user forgetting to take drive away.
> Cons: Users must be disciplined with rotation.
> 
> DVD-R
> 
> DVD backups are taken on a periodic basis.  DVD+R DL format allows 8.5
> gigabytes, which means about five disks per complete backup.
> 
> NEC 2510 OEM Ivory DUAL LAYER DVD-Writer (Dual Layer +R 2.4x, DVD+-
> x8, RW+-x4) @£56.11
> Media cost = approximately £0.50 each
> 
> Pros: Cheap up-front costs.
> Cons: Media costs mount quite quickly (one full backup a week =
> £130/year). Someone has to feed the disks into the drive.  Daily
> backups are not feasible.
> 
> External hard drive
> 
> A single external hard drive is used for backup, as above, and taken
> off-site at the end of the day.
> 
> 40Gb Freecom Classic SL 3.5" Slim Line USB2 (5400rpm,2MB,11ms) @£65.51
> USB2 interface card for server approx. @£10.00
> 
> Pros: Cheap and easy.  Backups can be daily.
> Cons: Original and backup copies of data are on-site during the day.
> No allowance for user forgetting to take the backup drive away.
> 
> Backup "swap" with another organisation
> 
> Peaceworkers and freesolutions work with another organisation on
> another site to backup over the Internet onto that organisation's
> system in the early hours of the morning.  Peaceworkers could offer to
> host that organisation's backups using the same method in return.
> 
> 40Gb Maxtor Plus 8 ATA-133 (7200rpm, 2MB) £31.63
> 
> Pros: Very cheap.
> Cons: Requires trustworthy, knowledgable remote administrators.
> Bandwidth limits imposed by ISP (if applicable).  No known
> organisation that fits the bill yet.
> 
> SAN device in fireproof safe
> 
> A network-storage device is located in as seperate a wing of the
> building as possible, in a fireproof safe.
> 
> Ximeta Portable NetDisk 80Gb £89.30
> 
> Pros: Cheap, quick, accessible.
> Cons: Not off-site!  Allows for certain types of fires only.  Does not
> allow for other types of disaster.
> 
> Machine in my home
> 
> A low-end scavanged machine is located in my house and backups occur
> over the Internet to that machine.
> 
> 40Gb Maxtor Plus 8 ATA-133 (7200rpm, 2MB) £31.63
> 
> Pros: Very cheap.
> Cons: Could send my bandwidth over its daily 1 gigabyte limit.  Not
> necessarily reliable.
> 
> Mirrored hard disk in server
> 
> A second, identical hard disk is placed in the machine.  Data is
> mirrored across both drives.  This setup is recommended, even with
> other backup systems, to account for the most common data disaster of
> hard disk failure.
> 
> 40Gb Maxtor Plus 8 ATA-133 (7200rpm, 2MB) £31.63
> 
> Pros: Very cheap.  Allows for instant recovery from hard disk
> failure.
> Cons: "Backup" is in same box as server.  Not a real "backup"
> solution.
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> 



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