Data Availability

Rsync is a software application for Unix, Mac and Windows systems which synchronizes files and directories from one location to another, while minimizing data transfer using delta encoding when appropriate.

As a blended systems specialist we recommend this technology to those for whom it is a good fit as an  important feature of rsync, not found in most similar programs/protocols, is that the mirroring takes place with only one transmission in each direction. rsync can copy or display directory contents and copy files, optionally using compression and recursion.

In daemon mode, rsync listens on the default TCP port of 873, serving files in the native rsync protocol or via a remote shell such as RSH or SSH. In the latter case, the rsync client executable must be installed on both the local and the remote host.

In essence rsync provides a simple, secure offsite filesystem that can be accessed at any time with whatever tool you see fit to use.

Rsync offers quick, simple setup for Windows, Mac and Unix, and unlimited data transfer for back-ups and restores.

Released under the GNU General Public License, rsync is free software and is widely used.

Zmanda Recovery Manager (ZRM) is a perl-based utility used to automate back-up and recovery of MySQL databases. It is released under the GNU General Public License and is free.

ZRM for MySQL is used by MySQL DBAs to do back-up and recovery of live MySQL databases, which can be either local or remote. ZRM uses the most appropriate back-up method based on the particular storage engine being used by MySQL, or the particular storage infrastructure being used. For instance it can use snapshots for instant full back-ups if LVM, ZFS, NetApp or VxFS are being used.

Data protection is vital to database professionals. A well run database must have proper back-up and recovery plans to ensure data availability and integrity in case of accidental data loss or destruction. In today's business environment, explosive data growth combined with shorter back-up and recovery windows makes the task more difficult. And, with MySQL supporting businesses running full throttle 24-hours a day, seven days a week, back-up and recovery operations need to be conducted in such a way that is non-disruptive to users and applications.

ZRM for MySQL simplifies the life of a database administrator who needs an easy-to-use yet flexible and robust back-up and recovery solution. ZRM is the only solution endorsed by MySQL. With ZRM for MySQL you can perform flexible back-ups:

• Easily schedule full, incremental, raw or logical back-ups
• Use snapshot technologies to perform hot back-up
• Activate Continuous Data Protection (CDP) to enable instantaneous point-in-time recovery
• Automatically optimize the back-up method that best fits your environment

Provide Continuous Data Protection for Your MySQL Database and achieve deep integration between ZRM, underlying storage and MySQL binary logs enables you to perform highly efficient CDP with almost instantaneous point-in-time recovery.

Amanda Enterprise is designed to address the following challenges–providing a back-up and recovery solution that combines fast installation, simplified management, enterprise-class functionality, and low-cost subscription fees.

As an Open-Source product, Amanda Enterprise only uses standard formats and tools - effectively freeing you from being locked into a vendor to recover your archived data. It provides centralised management for heterogeneous environments. As the leaders in Linux we recommend Amanda Enterprise.

With Amanda you can back-up and recover a few, dozens, or even hundreds of Linux, Solaris, Windows, VMware, and Mac computers, as well as your databases and applications, using one web-based management console. Data can be stored on tape, disk, optical devices, or online storage (public or private storage clouds). Amanda offers powerful Enterprise-Class Protection with Radically Simple Administration and Wide Platform and Application Support and supports Linux, Solaris, Windows, Vmware and Mac OS X.

Bacula is a set of Open-Source, enterprise ready, computer programs that permit you (or the system administrator) to manage back-up, recovery, and verification of computer data across a network of computers of different kinds. Bacula is relatively easy to use and efficient, while offering many advanced storage management features that make it easy to find and recover lost or damaged files. In technical terms, it is an Open-Source, enterprise ready, network based back-up program.

According to Source Forge statistics (rank and downloads), Bacula is by far the most popular Enterprise grade Open-Source program.

Bacula is made up of five major components or services: Director, Console, File, Storage, and Monitor services.