Q. Can I use RAID as the only backup solution under Linux? Is RAID is reliable backup solution for server?
A. Short answer - NO.
Long answer - RAID is good for improving performance. RAID also offers fault tolerance. However, I've seen 100% data loss under RAID 5 and RAID 10. It is recommended that you use minimum RAID 6 for mission critical applications and data. RAID 6 is extension to RAID 5. It provides protection against double disk failure. RAID 6 protects against multiple bad block failures while non-degraded mode. RAID 6 protects against a single bad block failure while operating in a degraded mode.
For 100% peace of mind and data safety, perform regular scheduled backup outside Window / UNIX / Linux server using any one of the following solution (or combination of all):
- NAS / SAN Storage
- Backup to 2nd server
- Tape backup
- Create 2nd disaster recovery site
- Always move data offsite
- Virtualization can be used to create quick recovery plan
Checkout all our backup related articles here and here. I also recommend following books:
- Backup & Recovery [ILLUSTRATED]
- This book's teaches you have to create safe backup for UNIX, database as well as how to save money by making backup and restore faster and more reliable process. This is a must have book for all UNIX / Linux admins and corporate IT data center staff.
- The Backup Book: Disaster Recovery from Desktop to Data Center
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Great points in the article/response. To further some of the thoughts….
The backup concept should be considered as a method to restore data to secondary computing devices or to restore the data based on the fault of a device or user error.
RAID 5 is graceful for tolerance against a single point of failure (the article/response covers this) and allows admins to recover a system when a single drive requires replacement. This should mean hot-swappable drives – power and data connections.
In the event the DATA CENTER is compromised, RAID don’t mean a thing if you can’t take it with you. The article/response starts down this path of “moving data off site”. There will be times when off site is the only option.
Also, a RAID device is not going to allow an admin to recover files deleted by a user.