tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386999095134482598.post6481746966382993800..comments2020-08-08T07:04:12.037-04:00Comments on QA Tech-Tips: OOPS! - When disaster strikesSystem Backups (Part 2 of a series)Jim "JR"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01053267015652256718noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386999095134482598.post-75442093734435199272013-02-25T21:33:13.457-05:002013-02-25T21:33:13.457-05:00Bennette, You are absolutely correct. A backup i...Bennette,<br /><br />You are absolutely correct. A backup is only as good as it restores. And as you mention, a useless backup is actually worse than NO backup, because you are sitting there, all snuggly and warm, thinking that your butt is covered.<br /><br />And talk about a &quot;sinking feeling in your gut&quot; - when you find out that your carefully crafted backups are garbage when you need them.<br /><br />Great point!<br /><br />Jim (JR)Jim "JR"https://www.blogger.com/profile/01053267015652256718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386999095134482598.post-57662905949030719742013-02-25T10:27:28.433-05:002013-02-25T10:27:28.433-05:00One important point to consider: Many people are l...One important point to consider:<br />Many people are lulled into a false sense of security by taking backups of their systems. A backup is useless if you don&#39;t know what to do with it. A serious backup policy, especially one for systems that contain mission-critical data, should include regular &quot;fire drills&quot; where the steps for recovering a system are rehearsed. The rehearsal should, as a minimum, include (1) identifying all (and I do mean ALL) of the resources that will be needed during system recovery, (2) ensuring that these resources are located where they are supposed to be, and available, and (3) walking through all of the steps needed to bring the system back to life.<br /><br />If this is practiced regularly, you will avoid the nasty surprise of thinking you were protected and only in the hour of need discovering that some critical puzzle piece was missing. You will also help ensure that when the need is greatest no-one panics, because everyone is confident they know exactly what to do.Bennettenoreply@blogger.com