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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• The importance of Symantec's OpenStorage Technology in backup today

  Learn about why Symantec's OpenStorage Technology (OST) and its role in backup and recovery today. Continue Reading

• Backing up VMs: Traditional apps vs. virtual machine backup software

  In this tip on backing up VMs, learn about the pros and cons of traditional backup software vs. VM backup software. Continue Reading

• Wbadmin backup tips for backing up Windows

  The Windows Wbadmin backup command can appear deceptively simple to use. In this tip, we'll teach you the basics of using Wbadmin and its commands. Continue Reading

• Printer backup and recovery tips

  Learn the best way to back up and recover your printers when you upgrade a server from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008. Continue Reading

• The benefits of deduplication and where you should dedupe your data

  With a growing number of vendors offering data deduplication solutions, we review the benefits of deduplication and specific dedupe products. Continue Reading

• Microsoft's Hyper-V snapshots offer quick VM backups, but with limits

  Microsoft’s Hyper-V snapshots offer a quick way to back up virtual machines during upgrades, but they’re no substitute for long-term archives.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V recovery: Top tips for restoring Hyper-V virtual machines

  Good backups are only one half of a solid data protection plan. Check out our best tips for solving common Hyper-V recovery problems.Continue Reading

• The changing face of iPhone data backup and recovery

  iPhones can boost end-user productivity, but they also create backup headaches. Learn how to manage iPhone data backup and recovery in this tip.Continue Reading

• Remote backup systems: Solutions for getting rid of tape

  Anyone responsible for a remote backup system that involves tape can relate to the challenges tape backup can present. This tip will look at remote backup solutions other than tape.Continue Reading

• Data archiving techniques: Choosing the best archive media

  Read this tip about data archiving techniques and to discover what's the best archive media for your organization: tape, disk, optical or the cloud.Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup

  Learn how to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup in this backup tip by Brien Posey.Continue Reading

• CommVault Simpana 8 backup tips: Storage policies and data retention

  Learn important data backup tips using CommVault Simpana 8 about storage policies and data retention.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting common NDMP backup errors

  Learn how to troubleshoot the most common NDMP backup errors, and what you can do to prevent them.Continue Reading

• Buying your first backup tape library: What you need to know

  In this tip, find out what you need to know when buying your first tape library, including when to consider a library, the cost of libraries and which format best fits your needs.Continue Reading

• Data destruction services: When data deletion is not enough

  Learn about data destruction services for old disks and tape, and about data degaussing and data overwrite programs for secure data destruction.Continue Reading

• Best cloud backup and recovery tips: A primer on cloud data backup

  We've collected our top five tips on cloud backup. Learn about cloud data backup security, how to choose the best cloud backup service, cloud backup management, and more.Continue Reading

• Data archiving best practices: The difference between backups and archives

  In this collection of data archiving tips, learn data archiving best practices and the differences between backups and archives.Continue Reading

• Buying the best backup tape library: Tape libraries vs. tape autoloaders

  Learn about how to buy the best backup tape library and the key differences between tape libraries and tape autoloaders in this tip.Continue Reading

• Data backup and storage networking basics: Why back up network hardware?

  Learn about why it's important to back up your network hardware, get troubleshooting tips and expert advice about network hardware backup in this article.Continue Reading

• Network server backup best practices: Backing up clustered servers

  Backing up network servers can be tricky, especially if you're backing up clustered servers. Learn clustered server backup best practices in this tip.Continue Reading

• Are LTO-4 tapes compatible with other versions of LTO tape technology?

  Dave Ellis explains what LTO-4 is and its compatibility with other versions of LTO in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Service-level agreement management considerations when using online data backup services

  There are many service-level agreement management considerations to be aware of when using online data backup services. Read our list before you sign on the dotted line.Continue Reading

• How to back up encrypted files and how to use the Encrypting File System

  With data backup security being such a high priority, more organizations are encrypting the contents of their file servers. Although encryption improves security, it can complicate an organization's backup efforts.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of tape media storage for backup and recovery in SMB environments

  Learn about the pros and cons of tape media storage, and if tape storage is the right fit for your SMB environment.Continue Reading

• Using different types of storage snapshot technologies for data protection

  Storage snapshots are commonly used to enhance data protection systems and dramatically shorten recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). Here's a look at the different types of snapshot technologies and the pros and cons...Continue Reading

• An introduction to data backup tape rotation schemes

  Learn about the different types of data backup tape rotation schemes to determine which one is best for your environment.Continue Reading

• Fail-in-place systems: Avoiding hard disk drive failures

  Fail-in-place storage systems, such Atrato's V1000 and Xiotech's Emprise 5000 or ISE, can virtually eliminate hard disk drive replacement service calls.Continue Reading

• Dedupe dos and don'ts: Data deduplication technology best practices

  Learn best practices for implementing data deduplication into your backup system from backup expert W. Curtis Preston.Continue Reading

• Solutions for backing up open files in a Microsoft Windows environment

  Just because a file is open doesn't mean it shouldn't be backed up. Learn solutions for backing up open files in a Windows environment in this tip.Continue Reading

• Using Symantec Backup Exec Advanced Open File Option

  Symantec Backup Exec has been around for more than a decade. Learn about using its Advanced Open File Option to back up open files.Continue Reading

• Symantec Backup Exec troubleshooting performance tips

  If you're using Backup Exec and your performance isn't what it should be, some troubleshooting may be in order. Here's a list of potential things to look out for.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting data backup error log messages

  Knowing what how to read your data backup error log messages can help you save time fixing common backup problems. Learn about the most common backup error messages in this tip.Continue Reading

• Using an autoloader tape drive for data backup in SMBs

  For SMBs, an autoloader tape drive offers more convenience than a standalone tape drive, and a lower price than a tape library. Learn more about using an autoloader tape drive in an SMB environment.Continue Reading

• Understanding data deduplication ratios in backup systems

  Data deduplication ratios can be very confusing. Learn about how to estimate a data deduplication ratio in your backup system and how to evaluate a dedupe product in this tip.Continue Reading

• EMC NetWorker backup best practices

  Brien Posey shares EMC NetWorker backup best practices and troubleshooting tips in this article on EMC NetWorker backup.Continue Reading

• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager backup software tips

  IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) has been a popular data backup software product for more than 15 years. Learn about TSM implementation best practices, and how to troubleshoot common Tivoli Storage Manager issues.Continue Reading

• Data deduplication technology: The business case for dedupe

  If you've considered implementing data deduplication, you may be asked how it will benefit your business. This tip will help you decide if dedupe is right for your business.Continue Reading

• A comparison of data compression and data deduplication technologies for SMBs

  Data deduplication can often refer to technologies that aren't really deduplication at all. In this tip, we'll discuss the different types of data compression, the pros and cons of each and offer recommendations for SMB storage environments.Continue Reading

• How to optimize your backup tape rotation strategy

  Backup tape rotation is an essential part of any good data backup plan. Here's a look at some of the more common tape rotation strategies and the pros and cons of each.Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore a certificate store

  One type of server that is critical to back up is your enterprise certificate authority. If you lose your certificates, you lose data.Continue Reading

• Data deduplication methods: Block-level versus byte-level dedupe

  Block-level and byte-level data deduplication methods deliver the benefit of optimizing storage capacity. When, where and how the processes work should be reviewed for your data backup environment and its specific requirements before selecting one ...Continue Reading

• Top 10 things to ask a vendor when buying backup software

  Before you rush out to buy new data backup software, here are 10 questions you should ask potential backup vendors to help you decide what is best for your backup environment.Continue Reading

• Benefits and drawbacks of incremental and differential backup

  The differences between incremental and differential backups continue to generate many debates and cause confusion. Read this tip to learn how incremental and differential backups differ, and the benefits, drawbacks and uses of each.Continue Reading

• Backup and recovery basics: Testing your backups

  All too often testing is the missing step in making backups. This tip explores how often you should be testing your backups and some things to look out for.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of file-level vs. block-level data deduplication technology

  Some data deduplication approaches operate at the file level, while others examine data at a block level. This tip explores advantages and disadvantages of each method.Continue Reading

• The differences between block-based and file-based data backup

  This tip examines the differences between block-based and file-based data backup and will help you choose what's best for you.Continue Reading

• Data deletion or data destruction?

  It's often assumed that once data has been marked for disposal, it no longer requires much attention. But when data backups or archives are deleted, are they really gone?Continue Reading

• Why you need a data backup reporting tool

  When backup reporting needs go beyond knowing what happened last night, it's probably time to start considering specialized data backup reporting tools.Continue Reading

• Four ways to streamline your data backup process

  Are your data backup operations out of control? Here are four tips to help you streamline your data backup and recovery process.Continue Reading

• The cost of tape vs. disk data backup

  Here's how to determine the cost of disk vs. tape in your data backup environment.Continue Reading

• What is electronic vaulting?

  Electronic vaulting usually fits between tape backup and disk mirroring as part of an overall data protection plan.Continue Reading

• Five tips for creating a backup service-level agreement

  Learn how to write a backup service-level agreement that will keep the peace between IT and information users.Continue Reading

• How to estimate your data deduplication ratio

  This tip details the factors that influence data deduplication ratio (the ratio of data before deduplication to the amount of data after deduplication), so you can estimate the data deduplication ratio you can reasonably expect to achieve.Continue Reading

• How to destroy data on backup tapes

  This tip offers guidelines for destroying data on backup tapes, with information about degaussing, tape cartridge destruction, tape reuse and record keeping.Continue Reading

• How to estimate the lifespan of LTO tapes

  This tip outlines what you need to consider when estimating the lifespan of LTO tape. It's not as black and white as LTO tape manufacturers would like you to believe.Continue Reading

• In-band vs. out-of-band deduplication

  This tip compares and contrasts in-band and out-of-band deduplication and offers some pros and cons of each approachContinue Reading

• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager vs. traditional backup

  Learn about the architectural concepts behind IBM's Tivoli Storage Manager backup software and the main differences with what are often referred to as "traditional" backup products. This piece is the first of a series of four on Tivoli Storage ...Continue Reading