Compaq N2400 - TaskSmart - 1 GB RAM Administration Manual page 269

A-8 Compaq TaskSmart N2400 Administration Guide
Taking Advantage of Multiple Backup Devices
To take advantage of multiple backup devices, the server must be configured
correctly. For example, if your TaskSmart N2400 appliance has 500 GB of
disk space and is contained in a single virtual disk, it is not beneficial to have
more than a single tape device.
If you can configure several backup groups to consist of the various directory
trees at the root of the virtual disk, more than one tape device can work. It is
better to have multiple virtual disks so that each backup operation has a tape
device. Using this method, the virtual disks are backed up in parallel taking
less time.
Media Rotation
Most backup software solutions are equipped to label and track media usage
accurately. Take advantage of these capabilities to maintain different media
pools for full backups and incremental/differential backups, as well as archive
media. The retention time on each of these types of backup is different. For
example, using differential backups on the same tape for full backups causes
the tape space to be wasted, after the retention time for the differential data has
passed. Keep separate pools to avoid this problem.
Offsite Storage
Be sure to set up a regular process for shipping important long-term media
offsite for safekeeping. This plan ensures that you can recover your data in
case of a complete facility destruction at the site of the TaskSmart N2400
appliance.
Readiness Testing
Completing regular backups is good. However, the ability to recover and
restore data is the important issue. It is important to regularly test the
recoverability of random files or directories to ensure that your backup
solution is working as designed.