ARD05: Backup Data
Status
Pending Need to validate functionality to ‘mirror’ files off-site leaving them intact until some configurable period has passed, at which time the ‘local’ data is removed while keeping the off-site copy intact. Verify that this approach works
Context
Backup media needs to be in an off-site location that trusted, easy to access (both outbound and inbound), and reasonably inexpensive.
Decision
Use DropBox.
Rationale
DropBox checks all the boxes that we need checked. It is:
- Trustworthy
- Secure
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
Consequences
Backup copies of data that servers operate on is stored off-site, and easily retrieved whenever it’s needed. Dropbox monitors specified directories and automatically makes an off-site copy when a file is created, or modified. If files are not referenced on the host for a period of time, Dropbox removed the data and keeps a proxy in the filesystem. If the proxy is opened Dropbox intercepts that, restores the data, and then lets the process that opened the file carry on like nothing happened.