In the computer network of a company, all important files should be stored on data servers.
To backup them, not any backup system should be used. The backup system should not only provide the last backup. It should also make a lot of past dates available for the recovery. Working with the backup archive should be easy and comfortable, both for the system administrator and for every user.
 

Data servers are installed to let every employee store his or her data there on the central disks and not on the local PCs. The advantages are: general data accessibility, easier maintenance of the PC cluster and in the first place data security.

Danger of data loss - Most people think of loosing all infomation, stored on a damaged disk, when they hear this. Fortunately, this danger is nearly eliminated by RAID systems on most of all servers.

Are backups still necessary, when a RAID system is used?

Definitely! First: even a RAID system can fail. Second: total data loss is not at all the main reason for backup recovery runs. More frequently, single changes in the files have to be undone. Or else, all files may be alright, but it is necessary to have a look into a former issue of a file.

Reasons for this:
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Non reversible changes (Example: image processing, old planning documents, old text issues)
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Damaged data format (file is no more readable due to a system crash)
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Malware attack (viruses, etc.)

For this purpose, the classical tape backup procedures do not help in a satisfying extend. Because errors in a file often will be noticed not immediately but in some days or some weeks. Then, the newest backups already are useless because even they include the same error. On the other side, too old backup issues do not include the required information.
When you have to look only a few weeks into the past, in most cases the tape from the specified day is already deleted.

In many situations, you do not need the backup from yesterday in the evening. You need the newest backup which is o.k. This may be some weeks or some months old.

A backup system is powerful only ...
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

if it keeps a lot of file versions from different dates.
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

if it will be quick and easy to find the right file version for recovery.

Furthermore, important features are:
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Creating and maintaining the backup stock shall run automatically without daily manual action.
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

Long term archiving should be possible. Even the data in the archive have to be easily accessible.
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

If the data server is temporarily offline, it should be possible accessing the backups in spite of this.
Item: Parts of the files may be deleted by mistake

The cost for investment and consumption material should be low.

With "VersionBackup Server", you will reach all these goals.