What are Managed Online Back-ups?
MOB is an automated data backup solution service that stores backups offsite in an enterprise-class, high security Data Center located in Perth. The service uses the client's current Internet connection to upload backup data to the Data Center.
How does it differ to traditional tape backups?
Traditional tape backups have been around for a while however they are not perfect. Getting 100% success rate or even close can be difficult due to the technology. Main differences are:
• 100% automated 24/7
Tape backups rely on an onsite staff member to change the tapes daily: Due to human nature this can be forgotten or even missed due to human error or public holidays when no one is available to change the tapes.
Managed Online Back-ups are automatic and do not rely on human interaction to work. Data is backed up securely over the Internet during the set schedule. If the device and Internet are online (which they should always be) then back-ups should be successful. No need for a staff member or 3rd party to take tapes offsite as it's already offsite.
• Lower up front costs
Tape back-ups require expensive tape devices, back-up tapes and software which need to be refreshed when out of warranty or at end of life. This can be a substantial up front capital cost as well as ongoing annual payments for software maintenance.
Managed Online Back-up service includes the backup software and agents (Exchange/SQL) as part of the monthly service. It also does away with the need to update your hardware. All software and hardware upgrades/refreshes are included in the monthly cost - no surprises.
• Future growth
Tape back-ups are restricted to the size of the tape unit and tapes used. If back-up data exceeds this restriction then a new tape unit and tapes must be purchased.
Managed Online Back-ups does away with this restriction. If more data storage is required for backups, you simply move up to the next plan. No waiting days or weeks for new hardware to come in before you continue backing up.
• No mechanical parts to break down
Tape back-ups are mechanical which leaves them more prone to breaking down.
Managed Online Back-ups doesn't rely on mechanical devices on the client's site. As long as the server is online and the Internet is up then backups will be successful.
If my company has a lot of data, how long will it take to backup over the Internet?
There are two factors to this:
• Internet upload speed
• Amount of data you have that requires backing up
What we do to minimise the data that is transferred across their Internet connection (included in setup fee) is take a USB hard drive out and perform the first backup locally on their network. This process is called load seeding. Once the first backup has been performed we then pick the USB hard drive up and take it to the data center. The backup data is then transferred to the data center storage servers and Managed Online Backups can then be enabled as per their schedule.
This means that after the first backup, only changed data is uploaded over the Internet. For most clients this isn't a huge amount (around 200MB-1GB per day) however for larger clients this may be more.
Data is compressed before it goes over the Internet. As a general rule it is a 2:1 ratio however this will depend on the types of files being backed up.
We have a calculator to estimate how long this will take if we know the Internet upload speed and an estimation of the amount of data changed in the day.
Will the Managed Online Back-up service affect my Internet charges?
In most cases NO, as most ISPs do not charge for uploads. Netlink Group will check your internet plan prior to taking the service to confirm this is the case.
Why are the monthly prices higher than some other online backup services?
Unlike other vendors, our Online Backup service is completely managed. We do not charge for file restores or data transfer to USB drive in the event of a complete failure. We also actively monitor backup results every business day. We manage and maintain backup jobs for your company.
All backup agents for Windows, Exchange and SQL are included in the monthly cost (except Exchange mailbox level backups). Netlink doesn't charge extra for these as other vendors do.
Other vendors only sell the service and expect that the client sets up the backup job and monitors and maintains it.
What operating systems and applications are supported?
Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 2000, 2003, 2008 and SBS 2003/2008 servers
32-bit and 64-bit Operating systems
Exchange 2003/2007
SQL 2000/2005
Is the data secured?
YES. Managed Online Back-up services can use AES/DESede/Twofish encryption algorithms to secure data. Without the username and password to the backup account, data cannot be recovered when encrypted.
Encryption of data is performed on the backup data before it is sent across the Internet and not after. This means that even if data is intercepted going over the Internet, the data is safe.
How long will it take to restore files?
Again this depends on the size of the data that needs restoring. We recommends that a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device be used to store a local copy of backups so you can have quick restore capabilities. If a NAS device is not factored in, restores of files will then have to be done over the Internet.
For disasters where large files or servers (including the NAS device are lost), Netlink can arrange for all data to be loaded onto a USB hard drive at the Data Centre and delivered to your required destination within the Perth metro area.
What does the setup cost include?
• Installation of Managed Online Back-up agent on each workstation/laptop/server required
• Configuration of backup jobs on each workstation/laptop/server
• Seed loading of initial backup (Going onsite, providing USB hard drive for initial backup, running initial backup, going back onsite after initial backup completed, taking USB hard drive to Data Centre and transferring backup to storage device at Data Centre)
• Initial fine tuning backup jobs & schedules after seed loading
Can I do away with tape backups all together?
YES, clients are able to do away with their current tape backup solution. It's recommended that the current system stay operational until the initial MOB backup has been performed and uploaded to the Data Centre.
Clients are also still able to utilise the current tape backup system in conjunction with the Managed Online Back-up service and gradually phase it out as warranties expire or backup software renewals present themselves.
The Managed Online Back-up service can also work in parallel with tape backup solutions providing the redundancy of having data stored in an offsite location.
How do I know which plan to choose?
Option 1 – Managed Online Backup – Critical Data - Workstation or Laptop
• For either laptops or workstations at the client site or a users home device
• Backup laptops or workstations critical files such as My Documents as usually workstation data is not backed up that has critical data located on it
Option 2 – Managed Online Backup – Critical Data – Servers
• For servers backup of critical files including Exchange and SQL applications
Option 3 – Manage Online Backup – Critical Data AND Windows System Recovery
• For servers backup of critical files including Exchange and SQL applications
• Local snapshot images of critical servers entire systems (images only stored locally) for fast bare metal restores of entire servers in the event of a failure