The document discusses best practices for preparing for and surviving a disaster involving IT systems. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared through thorough backup and recovery procedures. Key aspects of preparation include having documented procedures for backup and restore of SQL and SharePoint environments, understanding roles and responsibilities, maintaining service level agreements, keeping an encrypted envelope of credentials, and ensuring necessary hardware, software, and support contracts are accounted for. The overall message is that with proper planning through documented policies and procedures, the impact of a disaster can be minimized.
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Tobiasz Janusz Koprowski
ShadowLand Consulting
Email : KoprowskiT@windowslive.com
Twitter : @KoprowskiT
Facebook : Tobiasz.Koprowski
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consultant, security & licensing auditor
Microsoft Certified Trainer
SQL Server MVP (five years)
MVP Mentor Program Member
active blogger, influencer, technical writer
last 9 years living in Data Processing Center Jungle
last 15 years working arroung banking and ICT
Microsoft Terminology Community Member
SharePoint Subject Matter Expert at CQURE
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2:00 AM … In a dreams…
• Your best time for dreaming … is the best time for Disaster
• Your mobile phone ringing and ringing…
• And Your husband / wife say…….
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2:15 AM … in a car
• What’s happen with my server?
• When I made last backup?
• Where is my backup?
• Have I ever tried to restore?
• If yes – I hope that all in a team (about team soon) remember about (me?)
• If not – who can help me NOW?
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2:40 AM … in a SERVER ROOM
• $#$$@$^^#^&^@!#
• Is Windows Server alive?
– YES (thanks all saints)
– or NOT (damn)
• Is my SQL Server alive?
– YES (why phones ringing)
– or NOT (…)
• Is my Front End Server alive?
– YES (why phones ringing)
– or NOT (…)
who is responsible for it?
why I’m responsible for it?
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A DISASTER – WHAT IS IT
CAUSES OF
DISASTER?
NATURAL
CAUSES
HUMAN
ERROR
INTENTIONAL
CAUSE
fire / flood / lightning / earthquake / volcano
hurricane / tornado / temperature
sabotage / terrorism / vandalism / viruses / theft / union
activities / disgruntled employees
programming errors / unauthorized personel / improper
maintenance / lack of training / carelessness / cable cuts
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Backups (sql databases)
• about type of backup ( simple rm / full rm)
• about place for stored backup data
• about backup window
• about procedure used for backup
• about backup tools
• about backup of „backup logs”
• about estimated time for executing backup
• about REAL TIME of executing backup
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BACKUP > extract from SOP*
In the request, backup, should include the following information:
• Information about the operating system and application version for online backup and installed updates
for these components a file backup policy, in particular:
– a number of versions of a file stored
– the storage time of the next version of the file
– the frequency of execution of such incremental backups with the proposal of their implementation
• Online Backup Policy
– the storage time of a full backup with storage time such an incremental backup
– the time of transaction log files
– the frequency of execution of a full backup with the proposal deadline for its implementation
– the frequency of execution of the transaction log backup
• Information about trees directories / files that should be omitted or included during backup tasks (include
/ exclude list)
• Number and type / model of physical processors,
• Does the node will use the connection to the SAN to implement backup
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BACKUP (registry) > extract from SOP*
This register contains information about a backup plan implemented.
Backup file space:
– number of versions of a file stored in a backup
– number of days that are kept more versions of a file
– number of versions of a file stored in the backup system after its removal from client device
– number of days that will store the latest version of the deleted file from the client device
– number of days that will be stored in the archive
The list of nodes defined in the system backup:
– Domain | Node name | IP address of the node
– The list of defined backup tasks (called schedule)
– name of the task (schedule) | execution time
– a period of at which the task is repeated
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SQL Server Backup Best Practices | Written on October 17, 2007 by Brent Ozar in SQL Server
> http://bit.ly/12oXm4h
• Never back up databases to local disk.
• Back up databases to a fileshare, then back the share up to tape.
• Cost justify the network share with lower licensing costs & simpler backups.
• Back up to a different SAN if possible.
• My sweet spot for the backup array is raid 10 SATA.
• Backup agents like NetBackup and Backup Exec mean giving up scheduling control.
• Do regular fire drill rebuilds and restores.
• Build a standalone restore testbed.
• Keep management informed on restore time estimates.
• Trust no one.
Best Practices by Brent Ozar
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Restore (sql databases)
• about type of backup ( simple rm / full rm)
• about place for stored backup data
• about the procedures of recovery
• about estimated time for recovery
• about REAL TIME for recovery
• about tools for recovery
• about Corporate Backup Manager
• about password for access to library
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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RESTORE > extract from SOP*
Registery for Recovery/Restore/Replacement Tests
This register contains information about the tests and replacement of part or all of the
environment. It consists of the following fields:
• the date of commencement and completion of the recovery test
• client for which the test was performed recovery test
• servers involved in testing and replacement
• extent of testing and replacement
• person / persons performing the recovery test
• person on the client side accepts the correctness of the recovery test
• subsequent to the recovery test
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Performance best practices for SharePoint backup and restore operations
• Minimize latency between SQL Server and the backup location
• Avoid processing conflicts
• Keep databases small for faster recovery times
• Use incremental backups for large databases
• Use compression during backup
• Use RAID 10 if you use RAID
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Configure SharePoint settings to improve backup or restore performance
• You can only configure file compression and log file settings in Windows PowerShell.
• If you use the Export-SPWeb Windows PowerShell cmdlet, you can use the NoFileCompression
parameter.
• When you use the Backup-SPFarm cmdlet, you can also use the BackupThreads parameter to
specify how many threads SharePoint 2013 will use during the backup process.
Consider site collection size when you determine the tools to use
• Up to15 GB
– Use the Backup-SPSite Windows PowerShell cmdlet. For more information, see Back up site
collections in SharePoint 2013.
• 15-100 GB
– Use a SharePoint 2013 tool, a SQL Server tool, or other database backup tool to protect the
content database that contains the site collection.
• Over 100 GB
– Use a differential backup solution, such as SQL Server 2008 R2 with SP1 or System Center
2012 - Data Pro
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Backup & Restore (sharepoint farm)
• Quality assurance best practices to back up a SharePoint farm
• Ensure you have enough storage space
• Routinely test backup quality
• Back up ULS trace logs
• Store a copy of backup files off-site
• Procedural best practices to back up and restore SharePoint 2013
• Use FQDN server names
• Keep accurate records
• Have a recovery environment ready
• Schedule backup operations
• Use the SQL FILESTREAM provider with BLOB storage
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Procedures
• It is not about stored procedures!!!
• It’s about storing procedures with answers for the following:
– One piece of paper
– How to start restore
– Who can help
– How to processing a restore
– When we can finish
• It MUST be simple
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Roles
• SharePoint Administrator / Farm Administrator
• Database Administrator / Windows Administrator
• Backup Administrator / Network Administrator
• Storage Administrator / Security Administrator
• Customer Key Account / Manager of branch
• Data Center Manager
• Nightshift Operator - BOFH
• Customer Administrator!!
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
PSO > USO > SLA
• PSO Planned System Outages – Planned System Unavailability
– Minimum planned unavailability, due to the need to carry out modernization
work, installing patches, replacement / extension of hardware,
– Agreed/accepted by/with the client and not affecting the provisions of the HA,
and SLA, until
• ...USO Unplaned System Outages – Unplanned System Unavailability
– an error that prevents a partial or total work environment in a tangible,
measurable customer
– resulting in high costs if you need repairs, as well as penalty payments for non-
SLA
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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Availability %
Downtime
per year
Downtime
per month*
Downtime
per week
90% 36.5 days 72 hours 16.8 hours
95% 18.25 days 36 hours 8.4 hours
98% 7.30 days 14.4 hours 3.36 hours
99% 3.65 days 7.20 hours 1.68 hours
99.5% 1.83 days 3.60 hours 50.4 min
99.8% 17.52 hours 86.23 min 20.16 min
99.9% ("three nines") 8.76 hours 43.2 min 10.1 min
99.95% 4.38 hours 21.56 min 5.04 min
99.99% ("four nines") 52.6 min 4.32 min 1.01 min
99.999% ("five nines") 5.26 min 25.9 s 6.05 s
99.9999% ("six nines") 31.5 s 2.59 s 0.605 s
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Envelope
With ACTUAL!!! User names and passwords for:
• Windows Server Administrator
• SQL Server Administrator
• SQL Server Agent
• SQL Server Services (if You didn’t use default)
• SQL Server Applications Services
• Backup accounts
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
• SQL_Admin
• SQL_Engine
• SQL_Agent
• SQL_Reporting
• SP_Farm
• SP_Admin
• SP_Crawl
• SP_Install
• SP_WebApp
• SP_User
• SP_Content
• SP_SuperUser
• SP_SuperReader
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Hardware
Some of the hard stuff for replacement:
• Server
• Motherboard
• Memory (RAM)
• Processor (CPU)
• Network Adapter (LAN/NIC)
• Fibre Channel Adapter
• Hard Disk (IDE/SATA/SAS/SSD…)
• RAID Controller
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Support
Having actual list of actual support/maintenance things:
• company (like hp, dell, cisco)
• actual, checked contact details
• type of support (nbd, 8x5, 8x7, extended)
• the scope and details of the contract support
– Series number
– Serial number
– Repair warranty
– General warranty
• first contacts to helpdesk and route for request
• manager of „first contact”
• executive power person for escalation
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Software | x32, x64, ia64 | Standard, Enterprise, Data Center
Windows
– 2003 / 2003R2 / 2008 / 2008R2 / 2012 / 2012R2
– SP 1, 2, 3, 4 +CU 1, 2, 3, …
– Standard, Enterprise, Data Center
SharePoint
– 2007 / 2010 / 2013 / …
– SP 1, 2 + CU March, April, May, November, …
SQL Server
– 2005, 2008, 2008R2, 2012, 2012R2, 2014
– SP 1, 2, 3, 4 +CU 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16….
AGENT ORANGE
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
Keys
Some keys which You need…
Serial keys
Rack keys
Server keys
Storage keys
Knife
Torchlight; torch; flashlight (lighter)
Phone
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
ENCRYPTION
If You use encryption (such a TDE)
TDE
– Create encryption key
– Export encryption key
– Backup encryption key
CA
– Remember about expiration date
BitLocker
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
TEAM
You can work with disaster as:
Team Member
Team Leader
Last Samurai
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED
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BEST PRACTICE FOR SURVIVING DISASTER
• Backup&Restore for sql (and know-how about stored place, and restoring way)
• Backup&Restore for sp (tools, size, performance, site collection size, compression )
• Procedures (the short is better | one page is the best)
• Roles (who can help, who is necessary for access)
• SLA (90? 95? 99,99? in minutes, hours or days you have to recover)
• Envelope (with user names and passwords for all important accounts)
• Hardware (server, motherboard, CPU, RAM, LAN, HDD, SDD, USB)
• Support (maintenance contract, scope, contacts, responsibility)
• Software (Windows+SQLServer+SharePoint and SP+CU)
• Keys (serial numbers, physical keys, knife)
• ENCRYPTION (arrghhhhh!!! Certificates, keys, internal/external)
• TEAM (member, leader, samurai…)
• MANAGERS (hmmm)
ITS ONLY ONE:
BE PREPARED