Backup strategy planning

Data Protector is simple to configure and administer. However, if you work in a large environment with diverse client systems and huge amounts of data to back up, plan in advance. Planning simplifies subsequent configuration steps.

What is backup strategy planning?

Backup strategy planning is a process that includes the following steps:

1.Defining the requirements and constraints for backups, for example, how often your data needs to be backed up or whether you need additional copies of the backed up data on additional media sets.

2.Understanding the factors that influence your backup solution, such as the sustained data transfer rates of the network and of backup devices. These factors can affect how you configure Data Protector and the kind of backup -- network or direct, for example -- that you choose. For instance, if you back up to disk, you can take advantage of advanced backup strategies such as synthetic backup and disk staging.

3.Preparing the backup strategy that shows your backup concept and how it is implemented.

This section provides detailed information on the preceding steps. The rest of this guide provides important information and considerations that help you plan your backup solution.

Defining the requirements of a backup strategy

Defining objectives and constraints of your backup strategy includes answering questions, such as:

•What are your organizational policies regarding backups and restores?

Some organizations already have defined policies on archiving and storing data. Your backup strategy should comply with these policies.

•What types of data need to be backed up?

List all types of data existing in your network, such as user files, system files, Web servers, and large relational databases.

•How long is the maximum downtime for recovery?

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Planning your backup strategy