Many users back up their data files, but few follow a set schedule. The cost of
recovering from a catastrophe such as a disk crash, corrupted database, fire or
burglary can be enormous if you do not have a recent backup. The way to avoid any
problems or costs to your company is to back up regularly; for this you need a backup
schedule.
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| Daily Backup
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Every month, run a complete backup and keep these tapes for at least a year. The
following year you will overwrite the previous year's monthly tape. For example,
in January, overwrite the tape labeled "January".
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Monthly Backup |
Every month, run a complete backup and keep these tapes for at least a year. The
following year you will overwrite the previous year's monthly tape. For example,
in January, overwrite the tape labeled "January".
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Yearly Backup |
Every year, do a complete backup; keep these tapes for at least five years.
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Store Tapes Off-site |
Store a full backup off-site or in a fireproof safe. A backup is useless in a fire
if the backup is destroyed.
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Test the Integrity of Your Backups |
Periodically restore one of your backup tapes to a test directory or somewhere other
than your live system. Most problems arise from bad tapes, or thinking your backup
program is working properly, when it is not.
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