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Backup Strategies

You should develop a regimen for backing up the system or systems at your site and follow it closely. That way, you can accurately assess which data you can and cannot recover in the event of a mishap.

Exactly how you perform backups depends upon your workstation configuration and other factors. Regardless of the strategy you choose, though, you should always keep at least two full sets of reasonably current backups. You should also encourage users to make their own backups, particularly of critical, rapidly changing files. Users' needs can change overnight, and they know best the value of their data.

Workstation users can back up important files using the System Manager, found in the "System" toolchest on your screen. The System Manager is described in detail in the Personal System Administration Guide. Make sure users have access to an adequate supply of media (for example, cartridge tapes), whether new or used.

If your media can handle your largest filesystem with a single volume, you don't have to use an incremental backup scheme, though such a system reduces the amount of time you spend making backups. However, if you must regularly use multiple volumes to back up your filesystems, then an incremental backup system reduces the number of tapes you use.

The following sections discuss the different aspects of backing up data.


When to Back Up Data and What to Back Up
Incremental Backups
Backing Up Files Across a Network
Automatic Backups
Storing Backups
How Long to Keep Backups
Reusing Tapes

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