Tape

Online Backup

1

Tape based solutions generally provide only daily snapshots. This normally results in periods of exposure to data loss of up to 24 hours.

Secures your data offsite as the backup happens, with no window of vulnerability.

2

65% of tape based solutions reside in the server they are there to protect - not much use if the computer room floods or the server gets stolen!

Data is automatically transferred off site.

3

Typically take only one copy of your data.

Multiple copies may easily be maintained, at different locations.

4

Setting up backup policies can be challenging.

Setting up backup policies is simple. Choose to back up everything or fine tune by taking out files/directories using an easy to use interface.

5

Typically, create complex logs that are difficult to follow.

Provides an audit trail allowing administrators to view previous restore activities.

6

Tape can be unreliable.

Has built in checks and measures to ensure that your backup will be reliable. Test restores are simple to perform.

7

Restoring from tape involves locating the right tape, retrieving it, mounting it, locating file and only then restoring it.

Although your data is securely stored off-site, it can be located and restored immediately - from your desktop.

8

Restoration of small or single files is challenging, time consuming and inconvenient.

The ability to easily retrieve small and single files becomes a daily benefit, not a chore.

9

Require frequent intervention to change media, check logs, etc.

Fully automated - set it and forget it.

10

No guarantee of data integrity or successful restore.

Data integrity can easily be checked daily - can also be fully monitored 24/7, with the whole backup process checked end to end.

11

Tapes are vulnerable to loss, damage or theft.

Far more secure - use of encryption and/or digital certification.

12

Typically relies upon skilled IT staff to handle tapes and configure.

You control who has permission to carry out backup and restore tasks. Authority can be delegated to trusted users for specific servers.

13

Restoring data on servers at remote sites can entail expensive, time consuming journeys by IT staff

IT staff can control file restore operations to remote sites - no need to visit.

14

Involve deployment of tape drives in each server or expensive dedicated backup servers.

Removes need for tape drives and backup servers. Can use spare bandwidth on existing network circuits.

15

One tape drive typically supports one server.

Supports multiple servers – and standalones and laptops - over multiple offices.

16

In shared tape environments, only one restore request can be handled at a time and backup operations are interrupted.

Supports concurrent backup and restore operations on multiple servers.

17

Limited disaster recovery capability.

Disaster recovery options far wider.

18

Tape doesn't scale particularly well.

Easily scaleable, no matter how big or small your requirement.

19

Tape standards change – many companies are storing old tapes they could no longer restore

Maintain accessibility to older data.

20

With tape recovery you're often on your own.

Expert assistance is only a phone call away. Nationwide support available.

21

There is a lot of wasted capacity.

You only pay for the amount of data that you have. There is no wastage.

22

Full system restore with tape can be problematic.

Full system restores with Online Backup are generally far simpler and if necessary can be carried out on your behalf by experts working remotely or at your site.

23

Tapes are not cheap and need to be refreshed every year to maintain viability

Backups maintained on reliable and cost effective mirrored disk with long term viability.