Understanding backup devices and media
Storage technology changes rapidly, so it is important to research your options before making a purchase. When selecting a tape drive and tapes, consider the initial cost of the drive and individual tapes, as well as capacity, speed, and reliability.
The primary format of tape drives used for backup is digital data storage (DDS). The two most common tape drives are DDS3, which stores up to 24 gigabytes (GB) of compressed data, and DDS4, which stores up to 40 GB of compressed data. These tape drives offer the highest ratio of cost to value. Other media include quarter-inch cartridges (QIC), digital audio tapes (DAT), 8-millimeter (mm) cassettes, and digital linear tapes (DLT). High-capacity, high-performance tape drives typically use small computer system interface (SCSI) controllers. You should have more than enough capacity to back up the entire server. It is also important to plan for the future demands of user data.
Note
You cannot back up to floppy disk or writable CD or DVD.
Your budget may require you to make a trade-off between the type of drive you choose and your backup schedule when purchasing the necessary number of backup tapes. For example, you should consider how many tapes you need to implement your backup plan for one year and then purchase as many tapes up-front as possible. You should also consider purchasing spare tapes and plan to replace worn tapes per the manufacturer's recommendation.