Consider backing up to a disk-based device. Besides other benefits, backup to disk reduces the time needed for backup and enables the use of advanced backup strategies such as synthetic backup and disk staging.

Consider configuring your system for direct backup by attaching a library device to the SAN through a fibre channel bridge. This is a solution when the network impairs the backup speed.

Media management

Determine the type of media to use, how to group the media into media pools, and how to place objects on the media.

Define how media are used for backup policies.

Vaulting

Decide whether to store media at a safe place (a vault), where they are kept for a specific period of time. Consider duplicating backed up data during or after the backup for this purpose.

Backup administrators and operators

Determine the rights of users that can administer and operate your storage product.

Planning cells

One of the most important decisions in planning your backup strategy is whether you want to have a single or multiple cell environment. This section describes the following:

Factors you should consider when planning cells

How cells relate to a typical network environment

How cells relate to Windows domains

How cells relate to Windows workgroup environments

One cell or multiple cells?

When deciding whether to have a single cell or multiple cells in your environment, consider the following items:

Backup administration issues

The use of multiple cells gives you higher administration freedom within each cell. You can apply completely independent media management policies for each cell. If you have several administrative groups, you may, for security reasons, not want a cell to span across these groups. A disadvantage of having multiple cells

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Planning your backup strategy