Quote:
Originally Posted by Nok  Hi Shannara,
You mean backups aren't capable of failing too? How do you know Stratics' backup didn't fail?
Do you have detailed knowledge of the backup systems that Stratics uses for their network, what specific contingencies they have in place, and how they are or are not configured? Are the Stratics servers co-located? Are the production servers and backups all in the same datacenter? Or are the production servers in one datacenter, and the backup servers in another datacenter... possibly in another city? What is the quantity of data being recovered? Are the backups on fixed disk, optical, or tape? Is the recovery being done in-house or contracted? If contracted, what is the turn-around time for whatever amount of data Stratics has? Has the recovery been completed?
Rumor has it, that do to the situation... Stratics might push up a previously planned network upgrade and a possible forum script switch (from UBB.Threads to something I'm not at liberty to say) to now. So as to take advantage of an unscheduled & extended downtime to make the changes now. If THAT is the case... has the recovered data (if it's finished) been returned to Stratics (if it's not being done on-site)? Are the sites going to use the existing infrastructure or be converted to a new one? If they are going to use a new forum, has the forum data been converted or is in the process of being converted? Has the new forums been installed, setup, and configured to resemble the old forums for user familiarity? Is the newly converted forum data in place? Has it been tested yet to reduce potential issues for when it goes live?
I am sincerely looking forward to your answers, I believe your insight will be newsworthy. |
I will preface this reply to a post not directed at me, by saying I personally don't question the complexity of data recovery, repairing corrupt databases, nor the fact that backups can and do fail, and archived media, tapes in particular, are notorious for problems. Further, I certainly don't have any knowledge of Stratics network infrastructure or disaster recovery protocols. However, for me, it somewhat strains the imagination that there is a catastrophic failure of the live data systems at the same time as a loss of the off site backups. Perhaps that is not what Orvago meant to convey, and the loss of the offsite data was something that simply came to light when it very badly needed to be retrieved, but when I read his post, it came across as a simultaneous event. It further strains the imagination, that with such a complex nightmare recovery process underway, they would also be undergoing a simultaneous massive data conversion project, and platform migration as well, as you suggest. But, I guess anything is possible.
As a systems admin, whatever the situation, I have full sympathy for the people dealing with the mess (happy I am not one of them), but at the same time, a whole lot of questions as well as speculations start popping up in my head. I'll try to keep them to myself, though since speculations is all that they are. :-P
-Skylark