ServicesOnline Server Backup

Features

What is Continuous Data Protection (CDP)?

Continuous Data Protection (CDP) is a process of ongoing data backup. This is where the backup system logs every change to the host system in systematic intervals. For our service this means complete backups every 15 minutes. This functionality is made efficient by saving byte/ block-level differences rather than file-level differences.

How long can I keep backup copies of my data for?

This is variable depending on your requirements. We have software that will store your data for as long as seven years if need be. If you are regulated by governing bodies like the Financial Services Authority (FSA) this service is ideal.

What is the maximum amount of data that I can backup?

You can backup as much data as your server or cluster can hold - there is no theoretical limit. What does need consideration, however, is the cost of storage and how much bandwidth your organisation owns.

How often will your software perform a backup?

This is dependent on the software you decide to use. With CDP, you can schedule a backup to happen every 15 minutes. The result is 96 different restore points available daily. However, if you want to ease the strain on bandwidth resources you can disable this feature and manually define your server/s individual backup points.

How many versions of my data are stored?

The number of file versions backed up and stored depends on the software being used. It can range from 30 to several hundreds depending upon the backup frequency and particular rules you have set. For example, the maximum number of point in time restores you can achieve with a 7-year history policy is 96 versions within the last 24-hours, one daily version for the last 30 days before that, then one monthly version for the last 12 months after that and then quarterly versions for the last 6 years after that. That’s a total of 160+ file version states.

How do I retrieve my data?

Data is commonly retrieved in one of two ways. If you have only lost a limited number of files you can simply log on to an online portal, select the file/s needed within the data vaults and download them back onto your machine over the internet. If you are recovering the entire machine it is often quicker to seed it back to the host hardware via an external device - that we provide to you on request.

Can I restore files to different machines?

Yes, however you will need to tell the software which machine you’d like the data to be sent to. There may also be some configuration needed for security reasons. The award winning Backup Direct Service Team will help you with this if needed.

Can I perform a full Disaster Recovery?

Certain software will support a DR scenario. If you have backed up all of your systems, applications, and data, you can perform a full 'Bare Metal Restore' as long as your hardware is still functional. If your hardware has also been lost in a disaster you will have to recover to replacement hardware - which, while possible, will take a little longer.

What bandwidth is required with this service?

This question is relative. The amount of bandwidth that you have, combined with the amount of data you want to backup, will of course directly affect how long it takes to complete a full backup. However, file compression and intelligent data reduction technology means that the size of data sent is minimized.

Rules can also be set to schedule when you want your backups to take place, meaning you can schedule backups for quieter times of the day. However, there are several other factors that affect the speed of the transfer. For example, if your data is compressible, then the actual size of the files will be greatly reduced, allowing quicker transfer. If the majority of your data is static (it is not frequently being changed), then you will not need as much bandwidth because few files will be being transferred. The latency of your connection will also affect transfer speeds. For more information contact our Sales Team on 0800 0789 437.

What is latency and how does it affect me?

Latency is a measurement of the total time taken for data to be encoded and transferred between communicating devices. Poor latency causes lag, and is often responsible for transfer speeds that seem to fall short of advertised bandwidth figures.

Can I backup data across a network?

Yes our Network Backup solution will backup data across a network efficiently and securely. It is ideally suited for backing up servers that run network-wide applications. Simply install the software on a single server within the network and you can monitor and control everything centrally from that point.

Can you upload my data initially on a device?

Yes we can 'seed' your initial data load directly to our vaults. This avoids the initial lengthy backup of all of your files and folders. All incremental backups are then sent securely over the internet.

Can I access my data remotely?

Yes you can - although the way this is done varies on the software used. The functions available to you will depend on the solution best suited to your needs.

Can I back up open files?

Yes all of our server backup solutions support open file backup, either via Microsoft’s VSS Framework or through built in support.

Can I backup my emails using your software?

Yes. Certain software will even provide individual mail box recovery.

 

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