Re: Disaster recovery plan by John
John
Thu Oct 09 09:52:10 CDT 2003
Ed,
Just wanted to point out a potential show stopper for your plan. I also
researched using Ghost but found it unreliable for servers, especially if
you are using Software Raid. Symantec states that it might work if you are
using Hardware Raid but they do not support it.
IMHO, you should be looking at software that was designed for imaging
servers. I have Powerquest's V2iProtector installed in 2 separate locations.
I image the system to a built in hard drive then take a tape backup of the
image (for offsite storage). The interesting thing about V2i is that it can
image a server while it is up and running. It can be scheduled and recovery
is strait forward. Also, the image file can be used as an "on-line" backup
where you can browse and restore individual files.
Just my .02c but if the customer can only afford Ghost and they have a
failure where the image can not be restored then you really haven't saved
them any money!
John
"Ed Russell" <erussell_nospam@bserv.com> wrote in message
news:Uz6dnVxAu6kHkB-iXTWJhQ@golden.net...
> Merv:
> Thus the reason why I mentioned "removal IDE tray". I had intended
all
> along to ghost it and get it offsite. Point well taken though. Yes the
> tapes are also being stored offsite. In addition we have, daily tapes,
even
> month, odd month and semi-annual tapes.... I think we are well covered in
> this environment. I really had not put much thought to a USB drive
though,
> that is worth some thought. Thanks a lot for respondind it is
appreciated.
>
> Ed
>
> "Merv Porter" <mwport@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OJpGJ8EjDHA.1284@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > Hi Ed:
> >
> > Just a couple of thoughts...
> >
> > Not an unworkable approach but what if the server is wiped out in a
fire,
> > flood, water pipe burst, theft, etc. At that point the server and it's
> > internal hardware may be gone (including the IDE image drive). I'm also
> not
> > sure that ARCserve software is doing anything that NTBackup couldn't do
> > (unless ARCserver can restore individual mailboxes).
> >
> > Assuming you stick with your backup scheme, how about buying an 80 GB
> > external USB 2.0 HD for $150 (and a $30 PCI USB 2.0 card if the server
> > doesn't have USB 2.0 at this time) and then image the 72 GB server HD to
> it
> > using Ghost. Then, since you said you'd do this periodically (like
after
> > installing SPs or major software), tranport the external HD offsite to
> your
> > shop or a safe location after each image is made. That way, if the
worst
> > does occur, you have the image safe in another location.
> >
> > Of course, the ARCserve backup tape needs to be taken offsite daily as
> well,
> > otherwise you only have half a disaster recovery plan. Now, if the tapes
> are
> > stored on-site in a media cabinet (capable of high temp for sustained
> period
> > of time, the backup tape *could* be left onsite (but I'd sleep better if
> it
> > were offsite).
> >
> > Archiving a tape periodically is a good idea also so that "last year's
> > Powerpoint presentation to the Board that was deleted a few month's ago"
> can
> > be recovered from the archive tape if necessary.
> >
> > --
> > Merv Porter [SBS MVP]
> > ===================================
> > "Ed Russell" <erussell@bserv.com> wrote in message
> > news:6Rhgb.1883$Ys.176483@news20.bellglobal.com...
> > > Given my client's limited budget for a near line server here is what I
> > > proposed. If anyone has any comments/flames/gotchas please let me
know.
> > >
> > > Current config:
> > >
> > > SBS 2K Sp1 on a PIII built upon SCSI HD's (2 X 72 gig). Currently we
> have
> > 3
> > > partitions on each drive and each is mirrored in software. Backup is
> > > provided by ARCServe 2000, minus any agents. Exchange is backed up to
a
> > > file via a scheduled ntbackup job and then ARCServe grabs this file.
> > >
> > > Proposal:
> > > Install a removable large IDE drive, periodically ghost the entire
> > > server (paritition the large IDE first with 3 partitions) using ghost
> and
> > > partition to partition ghost.
> > >
> > > Disaster recovery:
> > > If the server dies and it is bad, throw the IDE drive in a system
> > > similiar in specs to existing server, bring it up on IDE, and then
dump
> > data
> > > back with ARCServe, dump online Exchange backup file to the HD and
then
> > use
> > > ntbackup to restore Exchange.
> > >
> > > Ideas? Thoughts? Bad idea?
> > >
> > > Ed Russell
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>