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BMT 580 01 NCC - Management Systems

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Back on Your Feet There are 4 replies: View/Reply options

Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer Students

Back on Your Feet Original post: Wed 10/26/2011 at 9:20 PM

To revamp GetSmart’s backup and recovery policies and create a new disaster recovery plan many new methods will be put into place. One thing that GetSmart will continue to enforce though is that employees will still be required to store all data on the company’s network drives and will also still be restricted from backing up any company data to personal devices. This policy ensures that no sensitive company data is ever compromised and that all data is backed up to the company data store. GetSmart will also be implementing new Network Security hardware and software and encrypting all data being transferred and stored to add a few more levels of security.

To ensure that data is never again lost or destroyed GetSmart will need to implement a High Availability Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan. The first part of the plan will be the Onsite Backup and High Availability which will consist of a completely redundant Server and Storage Configuration at GetSmart. This fully redundant configuration will include a primary production system and a secondary back up system. High Availability Backup software will be used to constantly write data from the production system to the failover system. This configuration will provide a complete onsite backup and failover system in the event hardware or software was to fail on the primary system.

The second part of the system will be the offsite Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan which will ensure data is secure and never lost. This will be done through purchasing a datacenter suite in an underground cavern in Kansas. Underground Data Centers in the Caverns of Kansas provide a completely secure and controlled environment. All Internet and power connections are redundant in the Cavern Data Centers and they also have backup generators to ensure that in the event of a disaster systems will still be operational. Get Smart will be purchasing their own 150 square feet suite in the Cavern which will allow them to install an offsite Server and Storage and have space available to access their data in the event of a disaster. Backup Software will be used to back up data in increments throughout the day from GetSmart’s production facility to the Cavern, and then each night a full back up will be sent from GetSmart to their co-location in the Cavern.

Edited:Wed 10/26/2011 at 9:20 PM by Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer

Timothy Ray Eckhardt Students

Re: Back on Your Feet Posted: Sun 10/30/2011 at 2:36 PM, in reply to Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer

Dustin, good idea about shaving the backup storage center in the underground caverns. The caverns will provide a safe climate controlled location for the systems. We have a underground storage location in Quincy called The Underground Warehouse. Many businesses use this for storage and warehousing to save on heating and cooling expenses. My only concern is the amount of dust in these locations. As long as the undergound locations have a secured location to keep moisture and dust from entering the servers the location will be a great idea.

Gregory Joe Wood Students

Re: Back on Your Feet Posted: Sun 10/30/2011 at 3:11 PM, in reply to Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer

Dustin, I agree that all data on the company's network drives cannot be backed up on personal storage devices. Allowing this to occur, compromises security beyond measure. It would be very easy for company "secrets" to leave the premises if personal storage devices are used. I also like your idea of having a highly dependable and redundant onsite backup system in addition to the offsite backup system. I love the cavern idea. I know some companies in Kansas City rent old rock mining and quarrying tunnels to house their offsite backup systems. Not only is it safe and secure, but the temperature stays in the upper 50's and lower 60's. This helps keep the equipment cool which is vital for high-capacity servers. My only concern would be water leakage through the walls and ceiling of the cavern. Some companies who rent out the tunnels for server storage coat the walls with a rubberized material to seal out outside moisture and help keep humidity levels inside at a controllable level (dehumidifiers take care of the inside). You have a lot of great suggestions that result in tangential thinking.

Nichole Sheree Williams Students

Re: Back on Your Feet Posted: Sun 10/30/2011 at 4:19 PM, in reply to Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer

Dustin the organization that I work for has an offsite backup datacenter in an underground cavern in southwest MO. When I first heard about this I thought it was very interesting and made complete sense. What I wasn't aware of was exactly how they worked. So these "suites" are essentially ran by another organization and the data is consistantly backed up every day?

Marco Antonio Zabaneh Students

Re: Back on Your Feet Posted: Sun 10/30/2011 at 5:39 PM, in reply to Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer

Dustin Steven Schanzmeyer wrote:

To revamp GetSmart’s backup and recovery policies and create a new disaster recovery plan many new methods will be put into place. One thing that GetSmart will continue to enforce though is that employees will still be required to store all data on the company’s network drives and will also still be restricted from backing up any company data to personal devices. This policy ensures that no sensitive company data is ever compromised and that all data is backed up to the company data store. GetSmart will also be implementing new Network Security hardware and software and encrypting all data being transferred and stored to add a few more levels of security.

To ensure that data is never again lost or destroyed GetSmart will need to implement a High Availability Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan. The first part of the plan will be the Onsite Backup and High Availability which will consist of a completely redundant Server and Storage Configuration at GetSmart. This fully redundant configuration will include a primary production system and a secondary back up system. High Availability Backup software will be used to constantly write data from the production system to the failover system. This configuration will provide a complete onsite backup and failover system in the event hardware or software was to fail on the primary system.

The second part of the system will be the offsite Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan which will ensure data is secure and never lost. This will be done through purchasing a datacenter suite in an underground cavern in Kansas. Underground Data Centers in the Caverns of Kansas provide a completely secure and controlled environment. All Internet and power connections are redundant in the Cavern Data Centers and they also have backup generators to ensure that in the event of a disaster systems will still be operational. Get Smart will be purchasing their own 150 square feet suite in the Cavern which will allow them to install an offsite Server and Storage and have space available to access their data in the event of a disaster. Backup Software will be used to back up data in increments throughout the day from GetSmart’s production facility to the Cavern, and then each night a full back up will be sent from GetSmart to their co-location in the Cavern.

Great Plan. I have never heard of the underground disaster suites. This is an excellent solution for backup. I wish we had one closer so that I could go take a tour of one!