OSU and UC Collaborate on Disaster Recovery Plan
by Clarence Smith and Bill Lewis
In late 2002, the University of Cincinnati (UC) and The Ohio State University (OSU) began discussing a collaborative agreement to provide data processing backup support for one another in the event of a disaster. Outside vendors offer disaster recovery services, but we determined that collaboration would result in cost savings for both of us - and other Ohio Universities who wish to join. The collaborative applied for and received an OBR grant during the Summer of 2003. We have used these funds to obtain the hardware and software to create the infrastructure needed for this venture.
In the first phase of our project plan, we dealt with the backup and recovery of critical mainframe operating systems and applications from tape backups. Also, we designed and tested the communications infrastructure to enable our computer users' access to these systems and applications. Now, we have successfully completed the first phase of the project. Either school can restore the other's critical mainframe systems and applications from tape backups. We have created and tested procedures for restoring critical systems at both schools.
In the second phase of this project, we plan to establish procedures for transferring encrypted data over Internet Communications Paths (in place of using tape backups). Using this strategy, critical data would always be current (within a few hours) without the Universities' need for lengthy tape restores and forward recovery of applications. (We will still make tape backups as a precaution, but they will not used as part of the disaster backup recovery process.)
Simultaneously, we are ready to begin the project plan for the backup and recovery of Open System Servers. We currently have dedicated floor space, cooling, power, and data connectivity for dense/blade rack mounted servers. A State agency and at least twelve other higher education institutions throughout Ohio have voiced enthusiastic support for this service.
The next Disaster Recover Plan quarterly meeting will be held on 10 February at OSU. Representatives from Bowling Green State University plan to attend. We have Open Systems DRP on the agenda.
We look forward to completing the second phase of DRP for the mainframe and addressing the new challenges of including Open Systems.
For more information about the collaborative DRP, please contact Clarence Smith at Clarence.Smith@UC.Edu.
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