Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/4636
ILTA White Paper Infrastructure Technologies 14 • Have detailed documentation for best of breed DR setups • Remember to plan for the human aspect of DR and ensure you have people available, and they know how to use the systems when running in DR mode (e.g., payroll) • Test your plan often Other points of interest for others to note include: • Deduplication technology can greatly reduce storage requirements • DR cutover time, complexity and currentness of replicated data drive the cost of DR solutions • Legacy flat file databases don't snapshot well • Failing back is not straightforward NExT STEPS From an infrastructure perspective, the only foreseeable need is to expand the storage as required. The plan is to add cost-effective SATA shelves as required and migrate archival data to this storage, thereby keeping the faster drives for the active VMs, data and databases. IS THERE A WINNER? Technology is required in virtually all core business functions within a firm. Without a well thought out and tested IT DR and organizational BC plan, most organizations would cease to function in the event of a disaster. However, it's important to note that a DR plan is really an insurance policy, and many organizations struggle to devote the amount of time and resources to a plan that might never be utilized. Fortunately, an effective DR plan does not have to be an expensive one. Utilizing existing software and supplementing with low-cost software can provide the data redundancy required if properly documented and monitored (though it will require more resources and can be intrusive to test). While a high-end system is easier to maintain and test, the cost might not be feasible for some organizations. Regardless of your choice, a DR plan is essential, so review and test your firm's plan to ensure your organization can survive the loss of your core systems. ILTA Note: The author wishes to thank Adrian James, Project Lead, for his contribution to this article.