Backup is necessary for all businesses. Backup ensures that in an event of data loss, you can restore your data and continue with minimal business downtime. However, in a situation where you’ve lost what you need to restore your data to, you’ll need a full system recovery solution. This blog will explain the difference between backup and disaster recovery.

What is backup?

The backup software we use is Clunk Click Online Pro. This software takes a copy of your files and stores it in our datacentre. The backups are scheduled so happen automatically, meaning no human intervention is required. You choose which data you want to backup and how often.

The backup software scans for three types of data: data that existed during the last backup but has changed, data that existed during the last backup and is the same, and data that is new. Only the new data and changed data are backed up. This is called incremental backup meaning there’s no duplication of data ensuring that you’re getting the most from your storage. This also minimises bandwidth so your backups don’t interfere with your working day.

Clunk Click Online Pro is able to backup all types of data including transactional databases. It also stores previous backups meaning that you can restore backups that aren’t just the most recent one. For example, if a virus goes undetected you’re able to restore data from a time prior to infection – without this feature you’d be restoring the virus back onto your machine.

In an event of data loss, you can access a file through:

• InstantData allowing you to instantly view your data in a web browser;
• Single file restoration allowing you to restore a single file; or
• Multiple file restoration allowing you to restore multiple files, or even all your data, onto your server.

What is Disaster Recovery (DR)?

If your computer or server is inaccessible, you’ll need a different location to restore your data to. This might be your previous server if it’s available, a spare server (if you’re fortunate enough to have one lying around!), or a Virtual Machine in a datacentre. A new server, whether physical or virtual, will require time for configuration and set up. This is where Disaster Recovery comes in.

Disaster Recovery means that we’ll take a copy of your server’s settings and configurations when you initiate DR with us, and install these onto a Virtual Machine (VM) in our datacentre. In a disaster scenario or if your server is physically damaged, you’ll have a pre-configured server ready for data restoration.

There’s two types of Disaster Recovery: Warm State and Hot State.

Warm State Disaster Recovery means that we’ll turn on your pre-configured VM in a DR scenario when you need to restore data.

Hot State Disaster Recovery means that the pre-configured VM is running continuously. After every backup a copy will be placed onto your VM, so when it comes to restoration your data is on your VM ready to go. This essentially shortens the restorative process, thereby reducing business downtime.

What are the costs?

For Clunk Click Backup you simply pay for your storage amount.

For Warm State DR you would pay your backup storage amount and a small retainer fee for the target VM. Your VM will be configured, set up and ready to use, but turned off. If you needed to use your DR solution, you would pay for the use of the VM (CPU/Disk/RAM).

With Hot State Disaster, you pay for your backup storage as well as the costs of running the VM (CPU/Disk/RAM).

Post-disaster, you can keep your VM as a permanent replacement and we’ll set up a new DR VM, or you can move your data back down to a physical machine.

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Why Ilkley IT Services?

We help small and medium sized businesses who don’t have an in-house IT department maximise and maintain their business IT infrastructure.

We constantly monitor your PCs, network and other IT devices. We’ll often prevent problems from happening without users even knowing, meaning you and your staff continue to work uninterrupted.

On the rare occasions when things do go wrong we’re ready to respond quickly and efficiently. With our vast experience and investment in the best tools we are well equipped to get you back up and running in the quickest possible time.