Difference between revisions of "Backup Information"

From Agency Systems Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "It is your responsibility to insure these backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify yo...")
 
Line 1: Line 1:
It is your responsibility to insure these backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify your backups are working correctly.  
+
[[Category:Installation]]
 +
It is your responsibility to ensure the backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify that your backups are working correctly.  
  
You must decide with the help of your computer technician the best plan for you. There are many options at varying cost offering different degrees of risk protection. Below are a few items to consider when deciding what best meets your agency backup needs.  
+
With the help of your computer technician, you must determine the best plan for your agency. There are many options at varying costs offering different degrees of risk protection. Below are a few items to consider when deciding what best meets your agency backup needs.  
  
 
====Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?====
 
====Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?====
  
Agency Systems does NOT provide a backup utility. Because your hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, your backup systems needs vary also. The company or individual that assists you currently with your technical needs is your best source to consult.
+
Agency Systems does NOT provide a backup utility. Hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, and your backup needs will also vary. The company or individual that currently provides technical support is the best resource for outlining a customized backup plan.  
  
 
If you are hosted with one of our partners, backups are included.  Please contact your contracted hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.
 
If you are hosted with one of our partners, backups are included.  Please contact your contracted hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.
Line 11: Line 12:
 
====What backup programs should I use?====
 
====What backup programs should I use?====
  
There are many types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide what is best for your office. We do recommend commercial grade products and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis. Again, your hardware consultant is your best source to certify your backups.
+
There are many different types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide which is best for your office. We do recommend commercial grade products, and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis. Your hardware consultant is the best source to certify your backups.
  
When choosing a backup system make sure it has the ability to backup open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to insure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.
+
When choosing a backup system, verify that it has the ability to back up open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to insure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.
  
 
There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.
 
There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.
Line 19: Line 20:
 
====What files should I backup for Agency Systems?====
 
====What files should I backup for Agency Systems?====
  
Your entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.
+
The entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.
  
Make sure your backup is set to include all subfolders.
+
Verify the backup is set to include all sub-folders.
  
 
====How often should I backup my data?====  
 
====How often should I backup my data?====  
Line 29: Line 30:
 
====My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service.  Should I use this option?====  
 
====My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service.  Should I use this option?====  
  
In most cases the continuous backup features will cause severer performance issues on your server, and could even cause data corruptionThis is due to many backup services will lock files during copy.  In the case of a database file it could update thousands of times a day. Thus the backup never completes, and uses up your server resources. Nightly backups after operating hours is the standard method.
+
In most cases, the continuous backup feature will cause severe performance issues on your server.  Each Agency Systems database file will update thousands of times a day preventing the the backup from completing. In addition, since many backup services will lock files during the backup process, there is a chance of data corruption.  
 +
 
 +
Nightly backups after operating hours are the standard method.
  
 
====Where should I keep my data?====
 
====Where should I keep my data?====
  
It is always best keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on offsite backups.  You should always have a backup copy locally.  Offsite backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.
+
It is always best keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on off-site backups.  You should always have a backup copy locally since off-site backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.
 
   
 
   
 
====How do I know my backup is running properly?====
 
====How do I know my backup is running properly?====
  
Your local technician should be able to verify the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.
+
Your local technician can verify that the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.
  
It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory should be part of your backup solution.
+
It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory, should be part of your backup solution.
  
 
====What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?====
 
====What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?====
  
Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. There will be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available. Remember, it is your responsibility to insure backups are performed and are working correctly.
+
Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. Remember, it is your responsibility to insure backups are performed and are working correctly.
 +
 
 +
There will be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available.  
  
In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. Of course we will assist you and your technician to insure you are going again with as little downtime as possible.
+
In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. We will assist you and your technician to ensure you are going again with as little downtime as possible.

Revision as of 18:56, 29 October 2013

It is your responsibility to ensure the backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify that your backups are working correctly.

With the help of your computer technician, you must determine the best plan for your agency. There are many options at varying costs offering different degrees of risk protection. Below are a few items to consider when deciding what best meets your agency backup needs.

Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?

Agency Systems does NOT provide a backup utility. Hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, and your backup needs will also vary. The company or individual that currently provides technical support is the best resource for outlining a customized backup plan.

If you are hosted with one of our partners, backups are included. Please contact your contracted hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.

What backup programs should I use?

There are many different types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide which is best for your office. We do recommend commercial grade products, and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis. Your hardware consultant is the best source to certify your backups.

When choosing a backup system, verify that it has the ability to back up open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to insure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.

There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.

What files should I backup for Agency Systems?

The entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.

Verify the backup is set to include all sub-folders.

How often should I backup my data?

You should deploy a nightly backup, and retain multiple days worth of backups. It is your responsibility to insure you have backup procedures and equipment that meet your risk tolerance.

My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service. Should I use this option?

In most cases, the continuous backup feature will cause severe performance issues on your server. Each Agency Systems database file will update thousands of times a day preventing the the backup from completing. In addition, since many backup services will lock files during the backup process, there is a chance of data corruption.

Nightly backups after operating hours are the standard method.

Where should I keep my data?

It is always best keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on off-site backups. You should always have a backup copy locally since off-site backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.

How do I know my backup is running properly?

Your local technician can verify that the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.

It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory, should be part of your backup solution.

What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?

Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. Remember, it is your responsibility to insure backups are performed and are working correctly.

There will be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available. 

In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. We will assist you and your technician to ensure you are going again with as little downtime as possible.