Always check your backups by restoring!
On at least 3 occasions in the past I have been burned by backups that "looked" like they worked, but when the file was restored the actual contents were missing. So I don't consider any backup strategy valid until I have done a live restore. If I'm working with a separate backup group, as is the case in any reasonable size IT shop, I request a specific file be restored from a given day.This also gives me experience in the procedures for a doing a restore. You'd be surprised how difficult it can be to get this accomplished. Backup departments are structured to do exactly that - back things up. Restoring is an afterthought at best. Be persistant. Follow up. The last thing you want to happen is to find out the backups are messed up when you are actually counting on them.
Same is true for DR (Disaster Recovery)...but that's a different post.
posted by Gary Williams @ 10:07 AM
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