Most of the business organisations have realised the need to take a backup of their data. It is common knowledge that computers are prone to danger, both internal and external.
- External threats range from being destroyed by natural disasters.
- Internal dangers could either be data destruction due to malicious intention or a virus attack.
Data is the single valuable asset of many business organisations; and backing up data is done compulsorily in many offices. But, if the backup is created in a digital tape, it has the following disadvantages:
- The life of a tape is just 3 to 4 years.
- Recovering data from tapes that are spoilt is an arduous task.
- Data retrieval even from unspoilt tapes is a laborious job. The concerned authority has to shift through huge stacks of tapes to search.
- Further, these digital tapes are placed on the same premises. So any external danger that destroys the computers would destroy the tapes too.
- If the tapes are safeguarded in another premise, extra labour is required to bring them.
- They also require initial investment and subsequent expenditure for maintenance.
The method of backing up data using the CD burner also has its inherent disadvantages:
- The data has to be repeatedly checked to ensure that it is effective. In spite of these precautions, the data is not fully protected.
- The time-consuming nature of creating a backup necessitates the appointment of trained personnel.
- Retrieving data is a laborious process. An attempt at retrieval begins by stacking through hundreds of CDs.
Off-site Backup
Off-site backup of data is one of the most effective methods. Creating a backup in a remote computer reduces the chances of data loss by almost 50%.
This procedure is simple and effective. The requisite drive has to be selected. After locating the file, it can be saved in the remote computer of the same office in a different branch.
The only disadvantage with this method is that when there is a network failure, the data cannot be retrieved for some time.
- Laptop users cannot make use of the automated backup at regular intervals.
Off-site Backup Using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP allows the online transfer of large files. Data is transferred over computers via the internet or also through the network. FTP software can be created by individual programmers or software companies. Almost every computer supports a FTP platform.
The FTP server is connected to all the FTP clients. The server that runs on FTP software gets the requests from the computer using FTP client software. Once the connection gets through backing up of data is possible. Files can be accessed, uploaded or downloaded.
Advantages:
- It can be accessed anytime.
- The data can be saved and accessed using any FTP client.
- No capital investment is required. Payment is just made monthly.
- It ensures cost-saving, for no charges are incurred on maintenance or data recovery.
- The installation of the software is quite fast.
- Allows automated backup according to a backup timetable. The backup is taken at regular stipulated intervals.
Disadvantages:
- Transfer of files makes use of multiple IP connections. Control is gained through one connection. The data transfer or manipulation requires another connection.
- No integrity checks are possible on the receiver side. If the transfer of data is interrupted, the receiver computer has no means of identification.
- Lack of error detection.
- The files that are uploaded are given a new time and date stamp.
Specialised Off-site Backup
The companies also provide special servers. Off-site backup is charged according to the amount of data transferred. Alternately, the charges are levied every month. It is expensive. But, this expense is worth incurred. Otherwise data recovery is a much more costly option.
Though private and public FTP servers are provided, majority of the companies use only the private service.
The necessity of backing up data has been realised by almost every company. Though many have stopped resorting to backing up data on digital tapes or CDs, the convenience of using off-site backup is gaining prominence.