Recently we have started using crashplan that has the option in the version they let you test (and want you to purchase) to do 'continuous backups'. It gets set as 15 minute increments. I noticed my wifes machines backup ballooning, enough so I had to delete the backups and stat over for that machine (not a big deal in this case). She runs Outlook, and the PST files get updated constantly. Other little files get 'touched' and backed up too, but the PST was choking our backup system.
I went through and ensured that the entire system was NOT being backed up. Just user data we care about, and as often that seems reasonable (a couple of times a day is OK). It took our change rate down to something we could live with. Normally doing backups of 'everything' I don't find necessary, but I am not working on commercial systems or 'other peoples data' these days. And the purpose of the backups needs to be defined. To recover after a 'disk failure', or recover from 'awe shucks, where was that file' moments, or disaster recovery (DR) where you are trying to put EVERYTHING back together after a real catastrophe. Yes, I do have a 'DR kit' even for home. Installation media, utilities, notes, software keys, and even written restore instructions to put data back when putting a system back. The restored system is really a new install, with old data in place. A few minor things may be 'not there', but it is enough to keep on working. I have had to use it a few times. Just like DR test at work, it is not fun. But it is well worth the while to put it together before it is needed the first time! _______________________________________________ Tech mailing list [email protected] https://lists.lopsa.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tech This list provided by the League of Professional System Administrators http://lopsa.org/
