Tape Backup Scheme

[Morgan Pike]

I have a DLT auto-loader that holds 30 tapes, with barcoding, the convention is 00001 thru 00200. I have Oracle archive and hotbackups, also the filesystem backup, has anyone come up with a solid scheme or util
that works well.

[Frederic Soriano]

Hi Craig !

I have a 2/20 DLT autoloader library, connected to a ClearCase VOB server (software configuration management), and here is the scheme used:

Knowing that we are likely to overcome the capacity of one DLT type IV cartridge, our nightly backups can spread onto two tapes max. (we are above all storing binaries, with little compression ratio).

* 2 tapes per weekday (monday to thursday) [Total 8 tapes]
* 2 tapes for each friday, knowing that we keep an historic of 4 fridays [Total 8 tapes]
* 2 tapes semiannually
* 1 tape used for make_recovery, one a month, executed on sunday (system changes are rare)
* 1 slot for the cleaning tape

We also own an external DLT7000 that backups all source files each saturday: these tapes are kept for 3 years in a fire-protected area, outside our enterprise.

All tapes are set with Omniback adequate protection, of course.

If you are backuping Oracle databases, you can probably expect a greater compression ratio (databases are often filled with gaps if they are not compacted).

I hope that helps.

Regards.

[Rita C Workman]

A solid scheme is what meets your shops needs. You didn't mention how many drives you have, what software you use (if other than just fbackup..etc) or what your in-house system availability req's are (are you a 24x7..??)
What Frederico mentioned is a very good backup plan.
Here...I'm too 'lazy' to set up for hot backups (yet) and I have a little window I can use in the early am hours..so I bring down db's and backup them up to tape then. I have multiple drives so I'm done in time and I have enough tapes to do this. Also I always do full backups, because I've had to restore from archives (too too many..) and it was a pain.
We hold general backups for 5 weeks....we 'archive' certain things quarterly and maintain these quarterly tapes on a 18 month turnaround...
So, I guess I'm saying the best backup schema is the one that keeps you completely covered (within the cost constraints of what you have for hardware/tape/time) and allow you the means of getting data back as quick as possible in the event of a major restore.
And the best backup plan......periodically try to schedule and do a random restore of something(s). Make sure your backups are working and your tapes are good. It would be disastrous to 'have' to restore only to find out your tapes aren't good.
Regards,
rcw