Peter Machell wrote:
Greg, no argument about the disks. I just prefer a standard format that can be read from anywhere (ISO9660) and, in the case of RW disks (which should only be used in conjunction with a write once weekly or better backup), formatting them as part of the backup script adds 2 minutes and you never have the problem of a write not working.
Getting them to do one-off burns on write once takes some encouragement, but is the ideal, I agree. I always recommend RAID 1 as well, as further insurance from drive failure.
The hardest part is training the people to check the backup, and when a RW backup hasn't worked, simply toss or store the disk and replace - about once a year with anything but the cheapest disks - I need to improve our script so it greps for failure and emails the administrator.
It all depends how well they are doing. Some check regularly, some stop doing it as everything goes OK for a long time, some can't be bothered. it's hard to deal with the human part. Some buy the cheapest systems they can find and refuse to back up. I avoid them if possible.
The nero script will eject only if it completes successfully, so this is an easy way to get them to check, although I try to get them to check dates and sizes on the files as well.
Or they'll just put it in the case, or if it fails and stays in the drive they'll leave it there, or they'll put it in the ROM drive instead, even if you label the writer, etc. The ways users find to defeat backup regimes seems to know no bounds.
I give them written instructions with lots of pictures and take them through the process a couple of times, and re-inforce it whenever they have problems. It's all you can do, ultimately it's their data.
Greg -- Greg Twyford Information Management & Technology Program Officer Canterbury Division of General Practice E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph.: 02 9787 9033 Fax: 02 9787 9200 PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL *********************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail and their attached files, including replies and forwarded copies, are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s) and may be legally privileged or prohibited from disclosure and unauthorised use. If you are not the intended recipient, any form of reproduction, dissemination, copying, disclosure, modification, distribution and/or publication or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon this message or its attachments is prohibited. All liability for viruses is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. *********************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
