Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The primary tools used in disaster planning and recovery are hardware; software; and
database, telecommunications, and personnel backups. Most of these systems were discussed
in Part 2 on information technology concepts. For some companies, personnel backup can
flooding disaster in Mississippi, “From the onset, finding our employees was our No. 1
priority.” Without IS employees, the IS department can't function. Hot and cold sites can
be used to back up hardware. A duplicate, operational hardware system that is ready for use
(or immediate access to one through a specialized vendor) is an example of a
hot site
. If the
primary computer has problems, the hot site can be used immediately as a backup. It is
important, however, that the hot site can't be impacted by the same disaster. The hot site for
Northrop Grumman's Mississippi facility was a large ship-building company located near
New Orleans. When a disaster destroyed the Mississippi IS facility, it also took out electrical
power near New Orleans, making Northrop Grumman's hot site useless. Another approach
is to use a
cold site
, also called a
shell
, which is a computer environment that includes rooms,
electrical service, telecommunications links, data storage devices, and similar equipment. If
a primary computer has a problem, backup computer hardware is brought into the cold site,
and the complete system is made operational. Files and databases can be backed up by making
a copy of all files and databases changed during the last few days or the last week, a technique
called
incremental backup
. This approach to backup uses an
image log
, which is a separate
file that contains only changes to applications. Whenever an application is run, an image log
is created that contains all changes made to all files. If a problem occurs with a database, an
old database with the last full backup of the data, along with the image log, can be used to
re-create the current database. Organizations can also hire outside companies to help them
RecoverPoint product. For individuals and some applications, backup copies of important
files can be placed on the Internet.
hot site
A duplicate, operational hardware
system or immediate access to one
through a specialized vendor.
cold site
A computer environment that
includes rooms, electrical service,
telecommunications links, data
storage devices, and the like; also
called a shell.
incremental backup
Making a backup copy of all files
changed during the last few days or
the last week.
image log
A separate file that contains only
changes to applications.
Companies that suffer a disaster
can employ a disaster recovery
service, which can secure critical
data backup information. These
service companies can also provide
a facility from which to operate and
communications equipment to stay
in touch with customers.
(Source:
www.agilityrecovery.com.
)
