Network Backup
When more than one computer system is part of a networked environment either in the office or at home it is common practice to use a device as a central storage unit, creating a basic network backup. Even when using central storage as a network backup the data is far from being safely stored. Central storage devices on a network (such as a file server) come in many different forms. Some are plain PC’s only used to store data and some are networked hard drives commonly known as Network Accessed Storage (NAS Drives).
Using file servers as backup destination
A more traditional method of central storage in a networked environment is the file server and can be built with a plain PC or specifically designed server. With the ability to have a self built machine as a file server costs on IT spending can be kept to a minimum.
Using network accessed storage as backup destination
NAS drives vary in price and storage capacity with some offering more unique features than others but for the most part, usage is very restricted apart from saving data onto. Some of the more popular manufactures of NAS devices are Buffalo, HP StorageWorks, NetApp, NETGEAR and Snap Server.
Network backup software
Even though file servers & NAS devices can be used manually on the network by users they can be also used with software to automate the data transfer from client PC’s to the central storage device. Software will vary in features with some having more abilities than others to gather data and transfer it to a specific destination on the network, the file server or NAS device.
Backup Your Backup For Better Data Protection
If any business is using a file server then it’s a MUST that a data backup is performed on the file server. The only purpose of a file server is to centrally store data within a business, not as an actual backup. Most businesses will use solutions such as a Tape Backup, a CD DVD backup or even an online backup solution.
If you don’t backup a file server or a NAS device then what is safeguarding your data from hardware faults, theft, fire or even floods?