H&SS Computing Backup Services

H&SS Computing provides a service by which data on H&SS computers can be backed up over the CMU wired network, to tape, for quick single file or folder retrieval or disaster recovery. 

There is an annual charge to each department for the service, based on the amount of data backed up, but the backup service is strictly cost-recovery for H&SS Computing, for tapes and other supplies, and maintenance of the server, tape library, etc.  The technology used is a piece of software called TiBS, which is an incremental backup system, meaning that the server reaches out regularly to back up any new or modified data since the last backup.  Conceivably, data can then be retrieved from a "snapshot" from any moment in time while a computer was actively being backed up.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the backup service:

Where lies the responsibility regarding whether data on any given computer is backed up, or not?

How does a computer become included in the H&SS backup service?

What makes a computer a good candidate for the H&SS backup service?

Conversely, what constitutes a computer *not* being a good candidate for the H&SS backup service?

How do I know if my computer is active in the H&SS backup service?

How do I check when the last backup of my computer took place, and/or manually request a backup from the H&SS backup server?

What if my computer is not currently included in the H&SS backup service, but I'd like for it to be?

When/how can I request that data be restored from backup?

How long does H&SS Computing keep data that has been backed up?

Where lies the responsibility regarding whether data on any given computer is backed up, or not?
EACH INDIVIDUAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING WHETHER THE COMPUTER(S) THEY USE ARE BEING BACKED UP BY H&SS COMPUTING AND FOR KNOWING HOW RECENTLY/REGULARLY THEIR BACKUPS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. Alternatively, any number of options, separate from the H&SS backup service, exist for individuals to back up their data on their own, including but not limited to: USB flash drives, external hard drives, CDs or DVDs, and personal Andrew network drive space.

How does a computer become included in the H&SS backup service?
For a computer to be in the H&SS backup service, H&SS Computing (or the administrator of a computer) must install TiBS on the computer, and the software must be configured to "talk to" the H&SS backup server. This is typically done by default by H&SS Computing on most computers during the standard build process, unless the department chooses not to add a new computer to the service, perhaps due to determining that a particular computer is not a good candidate for the H&SS backup service, or some other reason.

What makes a computer a good candidate for the H&SS backup service?
A computer is a good candidate for the H&SS backup service if it will regularly be connected to the CMU wired network. Therefore, most desktop computers in the College, which should be left on and online at all times (not just for backups but to receive regular Operating System, virus definition, and various other software updates), are good candidates for consideration. Laptops, which may not remain on campus at all times, could still be considered good candidates if they are reliably brought to campus and connected to the wired network (which is encouraged anyway, to keep current with the updates mentioned above).

Conversely, what constitutes a computer *not* being a good candidate for the H&SS backup service?
A computer that doesn't appear on campus and on the CMU wired network regularly would not receive regular backups; therefore, H&SS Computing could not reliably restore any data, new or modified, in between backups; and therefore, might not be worth the annual charge to the department.

Also, computers with often-changing, large files -- video constantly being edited, for instance -- would not necessarily be good candidates for an incremental backup system like H&SS Computing's, since each iteration of the large file(s) would be written to tape and yield a corresponding charge. One of the alternative backup methods mentioned above would probably be much more sensible in these cases for all involved. Rules for excluding or including specific folders can be written, as warranted, to accommodate computers with particular locations containing extreme amounts of data.

How do I know if my computer is active in the H&SS backup service?
The first important check is whether TiBS itself is installed on your computer. For PC's, check for a folder in "Program Files" called "Teradactyl" (and within that, a folder called "TiBS"). For Macs, open the Terminal application and look for a directory called "tibs" within the /usr directory, by typing "cd /usr" at the prompt, and then "ls" (no quotes for either command). If the "Teradactyl" folder or the "tibs" directory do not exist, then your computer is almost certainly not in the H&SS backup service. If they do exist, there is a good chance your computer *is* in the H&SS backup service. But to be sure, note your computer name and ask either your business manager or H&SS Computing directly.

How do I check when the last backup of my computer took place, and/or manually request a backup from the H&SS backup server?
A couple handy shortcuts exist, for users to be able to check the date of their last backup, and to manually request an updated backup, when connected to the CMU wired network. Many computers already have these shortcuts (try a quick search on the string, "backup"), but in any case, they can be obtained and/or verified to be working properly by H&SS Computing.

For PC's, H&SS Computing can actually email the shortcuts to you, and it should be as simple as saving them and using them. For Macs, setting up the shortcuts requires a quick visit from H&SS Computing.

What if my computer is not currently included in the H&SS backup service, but I'd like for it to be?
H&SS Computing requires prior approval from the department business manager before adding a computer to the service (and hence, adding to the annual charge for the department). If it is determined by all that the computer in question is a good candidate for the H&SS backup service, and the department business manager approves, then there should probably be no problem adding the computer to the service.

When/how can I request that data be restored from backup?
If your computer completely crashes, and no data whatsoever can be retrieved from the drive, H&SS Computing will automatically begin the disaster recovery process for all data we have on tape from the last backup of the computer. In some cases, but not all, the last "snapshot" of your computer can be eventually placed back onto a new drive, such that you'll be able to log back in and see the computer environment you last left before the crash.

For more simple restores -- single files or folders that may have been accidentally deleted or overwritten, and are certain to be nowhere else on the computer or someone else's computer somewhere, on an external drive or disc, in an email attachment, or elsewhere -- simply contact H&SS Computing with as much information as possible on the desired restore: name of the computer, name and location of the file(s) or folder(s), the best estimate of a date and time when the desired version of the file(s) and folder(s) existed, etc. There is no additional charge to departments for data restores.

How long does H&SS Computing keep data that has been backed up?
So far, we've kept and archived all data backed up since we began using the TiBS software in 2003. Restores from back further than a year can become more difficult and time consuming, because they usually require retrieving older tapes from offsite storage, but are still possible. Eventually, H&SS Computing may decide, with the endorsement of the departments, not to keep data older than say, 5 or 10 years, but as of right now, we still keep everything.

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