[OPLINTECH] Computer Back Up Options

[Joe Knueven]

If it were me, one of the things I would think about is how much of this would you need to re-configure anyway if you had a catastrophic loss, and use that in sway my decision some.

For instance, are the terminals and their server new enough that if the system were a total loss that you would replace them with exactly the same makes/models/etc, such that you would want the complete system so that you can load your backups and get it up and running quickly.

If you suffered that manner of loss, would you be trying to rebuild the system just with the people you have currently, or would you be filing an insurance claim and would include in that claim the cost for outside help to rebuild the system?

Another question, how much custom configuration is there in your system?  Is it basically a stock thin client installation, or is there many tech hours that went into getting all of the configurations setup so that the patron and staff computers are exactly how you want them..

On the question of off-site backups, how much data are we talking?  Could you contemplate doing something less expensive off-line, where say all of the relevant data is backed up to portable hard drives or USB drives, if it’s a small enough data set, and stored off-site in bank deposit boxes, the Director and Fiscal Officer’s residences, or some other reasonably available off-site location.  That way you have your off-site backups for the most likely catastrophic events (a fire or direct tornado hit), but you’re not paying a large monthly fee to have it backed up far far away..

After all, the kind of loss where the library and these other locations would be totally destroyed is such an improbable and massive event such that these files would probably be the least of your worries…

Actually, getting creative about the question of off-site backups, you could make an arrangement with another library that is some distance from your locations where you each keep a small fire safe for the other and place your backup media in the fire safe at their library and they do the same at yours, and switch those out quarterly or semi-annually..

Basically, I think something offline makes more sense for a small library than paying a hefty monthly fee for an online service..

Best of luck and have a good day.

Joe


Joseph Knueven
Director
Germantown Public Library
51 N. Plum St.
Germantown, OH 45327
937-855-4001
joe at gtownlibrary.net

From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Tara Sidwell
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 11:27 AM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Computer Back Up Options


Good Morning,



I am looking into what options we have to back up our virtual computer system.  We use WYSE terminals and have looked at options where the complete system would be backed up including servers, domain controllers, and files.  This option is very costly in terms of monthly fees for offsite backup and technical support.  I would like to hear any opinions anyone might have or any experiences backing up information in a small library.  Do we need this much backup capacity?  We are a small library system with one branch.  We are maintaining 50 machines counting patron and staff devices.  We are a member of SEO, so all library automation is backed up with them.  I appreciate any thoughts you could share.



Thank you in advance,



Tara Sidwell

Director, Kate Love Simpson Morgan County Library System

McConnelsville and Chesterhill Ohio

740-962-2533


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplintech/attachments/20150728/23d7b78b/attachment.html>