Backup Solutions



Backup Solutions2011 Information SummaryVarious backup options, benefits, drawbacks, and associated costs.Alex Scheidel5/23/2011Executive SummaryPrimarily to add an off-site location for backup data, in addition to our current backup methodology, several off-site storage and backup solutions were researched for their benefits, drawbacks and price points. The solutions researched ranged from very simple additions to our current method to complete replacement. Refer to the comparison matrix below for a quick overview of the findings.BackgroundWe currently use software called Backup Exec to backup our data (SX, Email, Stored Files –N, O, X drives etc…) to backup tapes; we do not currently take these tapes off site, or utilize other remote storage of any kind. With investment having all ready been expended in our existing tape and software infrastructure that was kept in mind as options were researched in order to maximize our ROI.Desired OutcomesThe implementation of an off-site data storage solution that will complement or replace our current backup solution, this would help to mitigate the impact that would occur if we had issues with local backup media, experienced fire or water damage, or natural disaster occurred. Risks Off-site backups, specifically online backup storage and co-location increase the potential of a data breach; encryption helps mitigate exposure but is no guarantee against it. Further these same two methods put availability of data and reliability of service, to some extent, in the hands of a third party. Risks associated with off-site tape backup are minimal and heavily depend on where the tapes are stored. Overall risks of not having off-site backup generally balance out or outweigh the risks associated with off-site backup. OptionsThree primary options were examined during the research.1) Locating backup tapes off-site.2) Co-location of our own hardware. (Placing our own server in a datacenter)3) Online backup – broken into two sub-categories.A) Full fledged online backup solutionB) Raw online storageComparison MatrixOptionProsConsPricing $Off-site tapeInexpensiveLeverages existing investmentRequires someone to relocate tape on schedule.Time + Gas MoneyPossible rental costs i.e. safe deposit box.Co-locationMaintain control of equipmentCan leverage current investment to extentCertain things like power and Internet dependent on provider.Internet bandwidth limitingBased on quoted pricing between $250-$500/mo.Online Raw storageInexpensiveLeverage existing investmentMay not be as reliable as online backup solutionsInternet bandwidth limitingPrice per GB stored + data traffic per GB to/from storage.Avg. $30-$100/mo + middleware cost approx. $50.Online backupProvides full featured solutions to backup onlineSome provide full backup infrastructure replacement.Most expensive optionInternet bandwidth limitingUnable to leverage current investmentVaries most models per GB stored. Some also add per GB transferred.Backup client included in price ranged from $400-$1000+++BudgetNo budget has yet been allocated for this. The pricing ranges from minimal cost of one time less than $100 investment to $1000+ monthly recurring cost. This will have to be weighed in deciding upon a final solution.ConsiderationsSome considerations not taken into account include:Compliance measures we may need/want to take to achieve vendor or client certification (think Pratt & Whitney Gold supplier)Cost of downtime, even though we may be able to operate if systems or data goes down, what is the cost of the impacted productivity?These things were not taken into consideration during research because these were unknowns. They should, however, be taken into consideration when making a final decision.Summary of off-site optionsOff-site tapeVery easy to implement as it is only an extension of our current backup strategy. Very cost effective from implementation standpoint as we currently pay or have paid for the infrastructure behind this method. One drawback pretty universal to this method is that you do not have a great deal of distance between off-site and on-site data. There is also one other drawback to tape media, it wears down with time and usage and can fail without warning, you may not know a tape is bad until you need it. This is mitigated with new tapes cycled in from time to time.Possible off-site locations:ASGImplementationFire Proof safe located at ASG with tapes rotated in/outBenefitsInexpensiveEasy to retrieve data when/if needed.DrawbacksNot located in tightly controlled environmental conditions this can be detrimental to tape media.If ASG were to ever re-locate into the same building as HESCO the off-site storage of the media is no longer off-site.Cost$50-$100 for a small fireproof safe.BankImplementationLease of Safe Deposit box with set tape rotation scheduleBenefitsEnvironmentally controlledVery safely securedDrawbacksUnable to access data at willMonthly recurring costTransportation of tapes to and from bankCostVaries depending on size of box and bank, monthly recurring cost.ResidenceImplementationStore the tapes at an employee residenceBenefitsInexpensiveDrawbacksNot in environmentally controlled areaAccess to data may not be easyIntroduces potential liability legal and otherwise i.e. employee quits or is terminated.Not a good practiceCostAt most cost of Fire Proof safe and possible stipend to employee $50-$150Co-locationProbably the most complicated solution to implement, as it requires purchasing equipment and setting it up then seeding it with an initial backup and then sending it to the co-location datacenter. Middle of the road as cost effectiveness goes, requires one time charge plus monthly recurring charges.BenefitsOwned and controlled by usAble to leverage current investment in backup softwareAccess to data whenever needed (provided no issues at data center)Per GB in/out, preset bandwidth limits, or dedicated speed pricingPossible to have more geographically diverse off-site locationDrawbacksHas to be maintained by usSlow backup/recovery times over Internet, Internet speed limitedHigher up-front cost than other alternativesDependency on co-location hostRequires use of continued or additional on-site backup for fast recovery of large qty of data.CostVaries depending on final server configuration (space wise #U) and optionsQuoted 2U pricing dedicated 2MB in/out internet connection $250-$500/mo Plus up front server cost $3k-$6kOnline backupThis option runs the gamut in terms of flexibility, configuration and pricing. The two types primarily looked at were Raw data storage and full online backup solutions. One vendor “Technology Partners” had a system that was a full spectrum including on site replacement backup and online backup. They were a hybrid and complete backup replacement solution and are placed here as a best fit. One common drawback to all online backup solutions (sans Technology Partners’ solution) is the slow recovery time and backup time due to bandwidth limitations, this generally requires some sort of immediate local backup in addition to the online services.Raw storageImplementationPurchase raw storage space with provider like Rackspace, AT&T, or Amazon and use middleware (Gladinet) to mount it as network drive and use Backup Exec to perform a B2D backup.BenefitsInexpensive (most of the time)Leverages existing backup softwareGeographically distant locationDrawbacksNo replication or data guarantees from providerRequires initial seed of data (backup to disk and send to provider to place in storage account.Increased costs associated with seeding full backups (sending data to facility) or online (increased bandwidth fees and possibly storage fees.)Three vendors to deal with in event of issues, storage provider, middleware provider, and Backup Exec (Symantec)Dependent on third partyCostCost of disk and shipping for initial seed + $50/mo can vary greatly depending on data to/from storage and usage.Backup providerImplementationInstall local backup client software provided by backup provider and use it to backup to their backup service. Send initial seed backup to get started.BenefitsGeographically distant locationLots of choices/providersSome providers offer data replication between datacentersClient software providedNo bandwidth charges (most cases)DrawbacksDependent on third partyRequires seedingDoes not utilize existing investmentRequires additional on site backup for fast data recoveryCostVaries widely from $50-$1000+/mo depending on per GB cost More reliable services providing better data reliability range $500+/mo Plus cost to seed backup and if needed future seeds.Technology PartnersImplementationComplete backup solution, using either server storage or external drive (USB) store local backup on server with backup software. Server replicates data to remote data center online (initial seeding done). Data center replicates to backup facility over 1200 miles away. Optional Disaster Recovery testing and optional Virtual server host to provide local immediate restoration location for a dead server. Service also includes remote virtual infrastructure allowing for almost immediate recovery from complete disaster like complete server loss.BenefitsComplete approach addressing local backup needs and off-site needsVariable configuration and data pricing tiers to be as cost effective as possible.Sharp focus on recovery from data loss and disaster ensuring the ability to quickly be back up and running.DrawbacksDoes not utilize current investmentRequires purchase of server/device or at least removable storage in order for proper operation and local backup copies.CostVaries, quoted estimated proposal $500-$700/mo plus one time cost of server/device or removable media $100-$3k Optional cost of disaster testing $1200-$1500 and virtual appliance $3k-$5kMonthly cost can be variable as pricing is based on per GB storage and data can be tiered resulting in different prices.Conclusion and RecommendationWe currently have an in place backup software with support which is paid for through August of this year, and a warranty extension on our tape drives paid through next year. As we have all ready invested in our current backup methodology the research focused on solutions which complement our current strategy in order to maximize ROI. However, due to some limitations of tape and in anticipation of additional information in terms of lost income due to lost productivity and possible compliance issues we may want to revisit our options, focusing on whole replacements in a time frame closer to the expiration of the service contract on our current backup software. Doing so might better allow us to analyze and determine the better long term solution for us.As far as a recommendation I will say I was very impressed with Technology Partners solution, and a case study of the Hotchkiss School has been attached as well, however, with an investment all ready in place with our existing solution I cannot bring myself to recommend it at this time, though I think this certainly warrants a revisit at some point in the future. From a purely management of off-site backup perspective I currently recommend investing in raw storage space and purchasing Gladinet to allow us to leverage Backup Executive to store backup data to this remote storage, with an initial seed of course. From a cost perspective this is not the most inexpensive option as it involves recurring monthly charges, but it allows us easy management and can be more easily automated that off-site tape storage. Further it provides us with a more geographically distant location than tape storage would, and while the data is not replicated as some online backup solutions offer we are storing off site data primarily in case of catastrophic failure, natural disaster, or server room disaster. ................
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