"My data is growing exponentially, the backup window is shrinking, and my tolerance for downtime and data loss in a 24x7 operation is extremely low and costly. I wish backups could be performed more frequently and restores did not take as long."
--Administrators' wish

Today, new technologies are making administrators' wishes come true. Administrators can now align their recovery point objectives (how much data can you bear to lose) and recovery time objectives (how long can you go without having access to your data) with service level guarantees.

What is Continuous Backup?
Continuous backup refers to a new class of technology that closely integrates replication, snapshots, mirroring, and backup software. Imagine you experience a data loss at 4:00 pm. With a conventional backup system you can restore to the time of your last backup, typically the night before; the day has been lost. By contrast, with a continuous backup system, data is backed up as changes occur, allowing you to minimize data loss at the time of restore.

How Does Continuous Backup Work?
Some continuous backup products first replicate then snapshot; others snapshot then replicate. There are also technologies that use mirroring to get data to a backup repository. Once the data is in the repository, administrators can "rewind" the backup and restore from where it is appropriate for the task.

Which Solution is Right For You?
There are a number of dependents to be considered: application, platform, network connectivity, and recovery options. Continuous backup technologies are complex, often niche solutions that need to be designed into the existing infrastructure. Cambridge Computer Services have been working with these technologies from the start, helping define new paradigms that address the ever-changing data protection needs.

Cambridge Computer currently offers continuous backup solutions for:

• MS Windows server platforms
• MS Exchange
• MS SQL Server
• Oracle on multiple platforms

New solutions are coming to market regularly, so check in with your Cambridge Computer consultant for more information!