An Organized Backup Regime

A Backup Article Contributed by Ashley Lister

An Organized Backup Regime

In order to properly implement an organized backup regime, it is sensible to first decide what needs backing up.

Some Files Will Obviously Rank of Greater Importance Than Others but Everything Will Be Included on a Full System Backup.

Differential Backups Will Only Backup Those Files That Have Been Altered Since the Last Backup and, Again, This Will Incorporate Everything.

But some software programs allow you to choose which files you want to backup. The Windows XP backup utility allows users to select which files, folders or systems they wish to backup. Listing choices from the user's documents alone, every user's documents, the entire system or a custom backup, it offers a comprehensive solution to backup needs. Deciding which files might need to be restored at a future date is a matter of personal preference and common sense.

Those who use a database for storing any sort of information should make sure this is located in a directory that will be backed up. Important documents, ongoing projects and any financial information should equally be included during any backup procedure. Regularly, at least once a month, possibly on a daily basis if you think your information is that valuable, a full system backup should be made.

During the Backup Process It is Wisest to Make Sure All Files are Closed and No Information is Being Accessed by Users. While There are Many Products That Offer "Hot Backup" Facilities (I.E. They are Able to Save a File Even Though It is Open and in Use) It is More Sensible to Treat Each Backup As a Process That Needs to Be Carried out under Controlled Conditions.

Backups are best performed at the end of the day. It is most sensible (if not always practicable) to make sure the routine has been successfully completed before considering it complete. Leaving a backup to run on its own, overnight, is a surefire recipe for disaster. If an attentive operator is present while the backup is happening any problems that arise can be addressed immediately.

If your machine is accessible through a network make sure all users know that you are performing a backup and warn them not to access any of files from your machine. Even if the machine is not on a network, ensure that no extraneous programs are running while the backup is underway and caution yourself against inadvertently using the machine.

Make sure that the backup is complete before ending the backup program. Remove backup storage media (i.e. CDs, DVDs, tapes or floppy discs) and transport it/them to a safe location. There is little point saving backups to removeable storage media, only to store it alongside the machine that is being backed up.

Whichever files you decide are most imperative they need to be backed up properly and regularly. Create your own backup regime and follow it meticulously. If the day comes when you need that backup, it will be too late to discover that you've made a mistake in organising your backup regime.