Herbert Röblreiter checks restored files on a connected NAS in an equipment cabinet.
Back to the service overview Backup & recovery

Backup in detail.
Test recovery in practice.

Assess priorities, backup versions and typical failures. Turn separate copies, recovery options and tests into a clear plan.

START WITH OPERATIONS

What can be unavailable, and for how long?

Order processing, communications, accounting and core business applications have different dependencies. Together, we identify which work must become possible again first.

The recovery point before an outage and recovery time afterwards: RPO and RTO as separate planning objectives.
RPO describes the maximum tolerable data loss; RTO describes the tolerable interruption. Achievable values are planned with your IT staff and verified through recovery testing.
  1. 01Set priorities

    Which work can wait and which interruption stops the business? The sequence follows your dependencies rather than a generic template.

  2. 02Define the recovery point

    How much work between backups can be lost? Backup intervals and retention are aligned with that requirement.

  3. 03Enable decisions

    Who authorises recovery, where is access information kept and which replacement system is available? This information belongs in the plan before an incident.

Failures differ

The cause determines the recovery path.

File deleted

An earlier version is needed. Select the right backup version and check the file. This does not automatically require a complete rollback of ongoing operations.

Workstation or storage device fails

The person needs a device, sign-in and working data restored. Prepare replacement and recovery together. Identify locally stored information separately.

Server or virtual machine fails

Several people lose access to their business application. Restore the system, database and dependencies in priority order. Successful sign-in alone is not enough.

Ransomware or compromised account

A backup destination with the same deletion permissions may also be affected. Use a clean recovery point and separate access; address the cause too. Restoring without checks can reintroduce the damage.

Site outage

The original data and local backup may both be unavailable. Check the external copy, access route and suitable recovery environment. The alternative location and connection are part of the test.

Cloud access lost

An account or service is unavailable. Check provider functions, administrative recovery and additional data copies. Exportable data and a recovered application are different outcomes.

Several layers, one plan

Backup must survive a failure of the original.

DAXS plans local recovery, separate copies and their protection. A different storage location alone does not demonstrate independence.

Production systems

Files, databases, applications and configurations.

Fast local recovery

Multiple recovery points with separate access and tested restoration.

External copy

Another location or suitable destination. Assess offline or immutable storage where needed.

Deletion permissions and administrative accounts must not silently undermine separation. Location and permissions are assessed separately.

The external copy complements local recovery. Restoration is tested from the relevant layers; full application dependencies belong in the plan.

Test recovery in practice

A green status does not replace a recovery test.

Data is restored into a suitable test environment. Sign-in, required business functions and dependencies are then checked in practice.

Agree objectives and scope, select a backup and restore in isolation. Check business functions; if problems arise, identify the cause and retest. Document results and prepare recovery.
A recovery test checks data and business functions within the agreed scope. If problems occur, the backup and procedure are reviewed and the test repeated. Target times and responsibilities are defined for your operations.

Results and next steps

The report records the recovery point used, test scope, measured duration and identified gaps. These lead to concrete improvements. No generic recovery time is promised.

Recovery · test recordIllustrative example
Selected recovery point
Record the time represented by the backup and the source used for the test.
Systems or data
Example scope: a business application with its associated database and configuration.
Actual test duration
Measure start, finish and waiting time in the actual test; record data restoration and business checks separately.
Sign-in and business function
Sign in with authorised test access and perform an agreed business-function sample.
Identified gaps
Example: required access information is missing from the handover documentation. Assign this issue to a responsible person.
Next improvement
Complete the documentation and recheck the affected step. Agree the scope and date.

Example report structure and content; it is not customer evidence or a commitment to a particular service or duration. Scope is agreed individually.

A possible project

Making a backup usable when an incident occurs.

A file has been overwritten or an important application will not start after an incident. A green backup status does not yet tell you which recovery point is available or how long restoration takes. DAXS plans an appropriate test with you and records the results and identified gaps.

Define the test case

A single file, an application and a complete system failure require different recovery paths. For the chosen case, define the recovery point, target environment, required access and business checks. An isolated test avoids changes to production data.

Assess the result

The responsible business contact checks whether the restored content is usable. Technical startup, data age and actual test duration are documented separately. This identifies specific improvements to backup scope, storage, access or recovery instructions.

View planning and acceptance points
  • Rank important data and applications by their operational significance.
  • Agree the required recovery point and tolerable interruption.
  • Check separate backup storage and required access.
  • Define the test objective and safe handling of restored data.
  • Prepare business checks with the responsible contact.
  • Acceptance: document results, time required, deviations and the next test.

Example review framework. Scope and suitable evidence are agreed for your environment.

Choose tools for the existing environment

From a single file to a virtualised platform.

DAXS reviews existing backups and adds missing recovery options. Local backup systems, external destinations and Proxmox Backup Server may be suitable tools; data volume, platform and support requirements determine the choice.

Practical detail: backup and the internet connection
External backups must not disrupt telephony, video meetings and ongoing work in an uncontrolled way. Backup windows, transfer-rate limits and, where needed, network prioritisation are planned. Recovery is tested using the connection that is actually available.

Infrastructure and dependencies · Communications during backups

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Questions about backup and recovery.

Is a copy on a second drive enough?
It can help with individual recovery paths. However, it does not automatically provide sufficient separation from a site outage, shared permissions or malware. We check the backup layers and their actual separation.
How often should data be backed up?
That depends on how quickly data changes and what loss the business could tolerate. These requirements are established separately for important applications and balanced against technology, cost and retention.
How long does recovery take?
Data volume, bandwidth, hardware and application dependencies determine the duration. A practical test provides a useful basis for planning. It does not establish a universally applicable recovery time.
Does cloud data need an additional backup?
We review the backup and recovery functions of the service concerned, together with your requirements for versions, deletions, retention and a potential change of provider. An additional backup is then a considered decision.
Can an existing backup system be retained?
Yes, if it meets business and technical requirements. DAXS reviews the current setup, preserves working processes and makes targeted additions where separation, documentation or recovery options are missing.
What does a recovery test check?
Depending on the agreed scope, files, applications or complete systems are restored. Readability, sign-in, business use, dependencies and actual duration are recorded clearly.
Is a snapshot the same as a backup?
A snapshot often resides on the same platform and shares its failure risks. Separate backup copies, independent access and tested recovery remain distinct tasks.
THE NEXT PRACTICAL STEP

Discuss your backup and recovery review.

Bring your current backup arrangements and most important applications. We will define an initial review of separation, priorities or a recovery test.

Simply explained

This page explains which backups help with different failures and how a practical recovery test is planned and documented.