Tape backup is still the most frequently used backup method for business users because of its cost-effectiveness per megabyte of data, despite the increasing popularity of recordable CDs and DVDs. However, just like any technology, tape drives, backup tapes and tape backup software can fail.
There are ways to minimize the chances of a tape backup’s failing in the first place. Here are a few tips:
1. Verify your backups. Most backup software will automatically do a quick “read-after-write” verification and will offer optional full verification. The latter is both more thorough and more time-consuming, roughly doubling the backup time, but if your files are crucial, it makes sense to do a full verification regularly.
2. Store one backup tape…