Selecting a back-up solution: point to considerations
- Reliability. When backing up data, consider the reliability of the backup medium, as some options are more stable than others.
- Back-up speed. As the amount of data being backed up grows, this factor becomes more important. There's not much point in using a solution that needs to run all night and through part of the day to backup your data. When comparing solutions, keep in mind that the backup speeds promoted by the manufacturer are ideals; in real life, it will take longer – possibly much longer.
- Cost considerations. Once the above two factors are considered, cost comes next. Beyond the cost of the actual backup appliance (tape drive, CD-write drive, etc.), you should consider the cost of the storage media (tapes, CD, etc.) and the scalability of the solution.
- Complexity. If you aren't a technical guru, you'll want to consider how easy it will be to implement a given backup solution. After all, the last thing you want is to find that you've invested in a solution that is so complex you are unable to effectively backup data on a regular basis.
- Taking it off-site. A successful backup solution makes it easy to maintain an off-site copy of your data. This is a critical component of the overall backup process, as backup media will not be protected from fire or theft. Even when stored in a fireproof safe, most media is so sensitive to heat that a fire can destroy it.
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