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A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

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    A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

    Hi

    Interested to see what solutions people might have for this scenario:

    Desktop application networked across several pc's for a small business. The data resides on a linux file server with each pc running A5 runtime.

    Required is an automated daily backup process that needs no interaction from the users. All pc's are switched off overnight. The "IT company" that looks after the business use dropbox for backing up! This was causing issues with the application particularly with indexes as it was in real time synching every file! They have now isolated the application onto a new mapped drive on the linux server which is not now a part of the "dropbox solution".

    Kind regards
    Glen Schild



    My Blog


    #2
    Re: A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

    Glen,

    I have a similar situation and use an application called APBackup. It allows you to set it to run any time you want. I have it set to run at 6:00pm which assures me that all the workstations are logged off so it doesn't generate any file open errors.

    I have it encrypt the backup to a zip file and upload it to an FTP site and copy the encrypted file to Dropbox so the backup is available to anyone who shares the Dropbox or has access to the FTP server.

    It also allows you to save a defined number of backups then starts deleting the oldest zip file before creating a new one.

    I keep 30 days worth on the FTP server and 90 days worth on Dropbox.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

      Hi,

      Dropbox is a bad solution without pre-encryption, especially given the security discussions surrounding it. UK users holding data should also check that the location of the data they are holding complied with the DPA, as a lot of places outside the EU fall foul of the rules.

      Have a look at Jungledisk. You can set the backup location to be the UK datacentre. It has a native Linux program, can be scheduled, lets your jump back to old backups, is accessible by various methods, is cheap and best of all you can set your own encryption key. I've not used it with an Alpha project, but have had success with a Rails application and sql database.

      Hope it helps.
      Wise Alpha once said said to me...
      ..."Change must begin first."

      Comment


        #4
        Re: A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

        Thanks Tim and MK,

        Your suggestions are appreciated but I was looking more for a solution that uses Alpha. I agree with the comments re: DropBox and also about the DPA, in a different environment I use Carbonite (they have signed up to the US Safe Harbor policy) which is the equivalent to the DPA and is recognised by the Information Commissioner.

        I see that JungleDisk can be set up in the Linux server but I am trying to keep things under Alphas control and therefore under mu control!

        My thoughts are to maintain a database log which is checked via the autoexec, first login of the day triggering a backup which is automatically ftp'd to my server.
        Glen Schild



        My Blog

        Comment


          #5
          Re: A robust backup solution - how would you manage?

          Have a look at Ghost Files.
          I use this free software to mirror the database. With a Delayed Write there is no noticable transaction slow down, but beware, the application is mirrored so changes will be replicated.
          See our Hybrid Option here;
          https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


          Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
          You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

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