| Nearly all companies depend on computers to keep | | | | E-SATA would not require opening the case to install |
| their business running. We store data, records, email, | | | | the mounting kit. |
| personnel files, and documentation of all kinds. Many | | | | USB (or FireWire) |
| businesses maintain all invoicing and accounting records | | | | There are a lot of these out there, but we have found |
| electronically. Doctors and dentists are quickly | | | | some troubles when backing up large amounts of data |
| converting from paper to electronic files. Our | | | | like you might see in a typical company. They just can't |
| computers save us time (it's quick and easy to retrieve | | | | keep up with all that flood of information as well as |
| information) and money (no storage space required). | | | | SATA can. If given a choice go for the SATA or |
| Pressing the "Save" button will update your data files, | | | | E-SATA versions as they are more robust. |
| but are the files really safe? | | | | System Backups |
| Most computer systems have backup programs that | | | | For businesses, it is important that the server also |
| can be setup, and you may consider that adequate | | | | have good system backups, where the entire boot |
| protection. While that is much better than nothing at all, | | | | drive is backed up and can be restored to a new hard |
| there are other things to pay attention to as well. The | | | | drive. In addition, the System State should be backed |
| key is maintaining an offsite backup and checking to | | | | up and can be used to restore the Registry and most |
| verify it works: if there is a major catastrophe at the | | | | of the server's security settings to new server |
| office (fire, flood, theft, or more likely an errant | | | | hardware. The trick here is that when your 4 year old |
| employee), then you still have the data available and | | | | server dies, do you really want to buy 4 year old |
| the company can survive. | | | | hardware so that the entire server can be put back as |
| Two of the backup formats currently being used | | | | it was, then in addition buy new hardware and migrate |
| include tape and hard drives. In my experience at the | | | | your network to it. OR, if there is a crash, would you |
| mid-sized business level, tape drives have been | | | | rather buy the new hardware you probably need, and |
| complete failures. While some may argue, the | | | | restore the settings (System State) that made your |
| advantages of removable hard drives are hard to | | | | server specific to your company. |
| beat: speed, cost and accessibility. Here are several | | | | Workstation Backup |
| ways to equip your system and protect your files. | | | | While most of our attention for businesses has been |
| SATA (Serial ATA) Hard | | | | on backing up the servers, it may be worthwhile to |
| This is the method we most commonly use. This | | | | backup workstations, especially if there are complex |
| typically includes two hard drives, each mounted in | | | | software configurations involved. With larger hard |
| portable carrying trays. They are swapped out weekly | | | | drives and good System backups (for Windows, think |
| with one drive being off-site at any given time. The | | | | System Restore, with the new Mac OS 10.5 Leopard, |
| backup program automates all the backups; someone | | | | think of the wonderful Time Machine) it's possible to |
| just has to remember to bring in the offsite tray on | | | | have a simpler version of a restorable system. |
| Friday's, swap, and then take home the current tray. | | | | By evaluating your backup needs and reviewing your |
| You'll want to make sure you can Hot Swap (meaning | | | | options, you can protect your company's data and |
| swap out the tray while the computer is running). | | | | avoid major disruption from natural disaster or |
| E-SATA (External-SATA) is a version of this but | | | | employee errors. A little time spent now will save time |
| requires that your computer has the external port. | | | | and money in case of system failure. |