Implementation
There are 6 steps:
1. Pre-requisites:
Please check your network has met the basic overall pre-requisites. Either read the page or download the .pdf . If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us (0844 770 7000 or dradmin@intralan.co.uk).
2. System analyser:
In order to prepare the LDM (e.g. capacities), please download and run our system analyser tool on each server to be protected. This will tell us instillation information such as your server(s) data volumes, partitions, permissions (requires the same as tape) and data duplicates (you'll be amazed!). There is a help-file available as part of the download which explains the details of the analyser and it's subsequent pdf reports which you'll need to forward back to us.
3. Installation:
On receipt of the Installation part of your Order Form and on the agreed date, an engineer will attend your site with:
- The LDM
- A portable proxy datavault
- A ruggedised brief case
He will initially install the temporary proxy datavault to start a copy of your servers (the "baseline"). This has an algorithm to ensure it doesn't overwhelm the server or network. Whilst this is being copied, he will also set up the LDM in your chosen discreet location and test our remote connectivity to it. This generally takes 2-3 hours when he'll leave you with both devices running and the ruggedised brief-case.
Over the next c. 2 weeks, we will remotely monitor the LDM, tweaking the back-up profile to ensure everything is being properly backed up (you will be alarmed at how much data is being missed off a standard tape copy) and that there are no permission issues etc. Each day you (via the Dradmin user account) will receive your daily back-up reports. By the end of the first week, each server should be perfectly profiled with no error reports and being faithfully replicated to the LDM.
Meanwhile, during these 2 weeks, please arrange for a copy of any non-Microsoft PC applications (e.g. ACT, Sage Line 50 etc) to be installed on your server. We can help as required. This is so that you can properly test the data on the restored server in the next couple of weeks and in the event of a Category 4 Disaster.
Once we're happy with the reports, we will ask you to unplug the proxy datavault and put it in the ruggedised briefcase + padlock for our collection from your reception. On receipt, we load up the base-line off the proxy to one of our permanent datavaults and let it run for a further week. You will then receive an email from us, inviting you with 48 hours notice to log in to a restored server for your testing and acceptance.
4. Test + start:
On the designated afternoon, you should log in to the test-restored server held in our datacentre. This will use Terminal Services (Admin mode), which means only one person can test at a time (but by all means, allow as many of your staff as necessary to individually test "their" part of the business). It is absolutely imperative that you commit your resources for this afternoon to test the restored server. You should run every business application.
- Success: Complete part 2 of the Order Form and the contract is now in place.
- Failure: Advise us what isn't working so that we can quickly address it. Remember, this is the point of the test restore.
We will then issue you a DR Certificate, setting out the testing and process in place that should satisfy any audit/supplier/customer request for your DR preparations.
5. Operational:
The LDM takes a full back-up copy of each server every working day. It then compares last night's copy with tonight's and creates a bit level differential file. This is then encrypted, compressed and sent to the datavault over your Internet line. A typical 100Gb server will compress to 450Mb. The appropriate reports are produced and emailed to your Dradmin user/distribution group.
For more information on what happens in the subsequent event of a DR, see "In the event of...."
If you would like to keep a permanent snap-shot of your systems (e.g. for industry Compliance rules), simply purchasse one of our pre-prepard portable disks (see costs) that you plug into the back of the LDM.
6. Re-testing:
Every 6 months (or the more frequent interval indicated in the Order Form), we will notify you 48 hours in advance for the next test restore, following the initial test restore above. You will be required to re-confirm a satisfactory test at each interval.
For further information, see the Services Handbook, section J