While the Information Technologies and Services Division offers a central, automated system for backing up data, many Lab staff members and groups choose to do their own backups. Unlike the ITSD service, however, these local backups typically don’t provide for secure storage of backed up data at an offsite location. Such offsite storage adds another layer of data security in the event of a disaster.

Now, ITSD’s Computing Infrastructure Support Department is providing an offsite data storage option for Lab groups who have data that may be difficult or impossible to replicate. Groups can have their tapes (or other backup media) sent offsite for storage in a secure, climate-controlled facility. The facility used is located in Sacramento, away from the major Bay Area earthquake faults.

The service allows for as many as 20 DLT-format tapes or a similar amount of other storage media to be put into a single container and sent offsite and stored for as long as needed.

Each participating group will be charged $10 per storage canister per month. By pooling their canisters with others stored by the Lab, groups may be able to save the $35-per-trip transportation fee and $15 monthly account administration charge. Groups wishing to use the service on their own will be charged these fees as incurred.

Retrieving the data back from the offsite facility outside of a scheduled pick-up or drop-off trip will result in an additional transportation charge, which will depend on how quickly the retrieved data are needed.

Here’s an example of how the service will work:
A group that does their own backups copies their data onto backup media to be sent offsite for three months. A set of canisters, a unique lock and key set for their canisters, and the appropriate paperwork are delivered to their LBNL location. The group then loads the canisters and fills out the forms for the pickup. This group plans to send data offsite once a month, so the pickup occurs only every four weeks, on a day of the group's choice. Each offsite storage form will be filled out to have the appropriate information on what data is contained in the canister and include the date of return (three months hence). The group then pays $10 per canister in offsite storage, $35 per trip transportation fee and the $15 administration fee for each month canisters are stored in the offsite facility. After the third month, when the canisters are being rotated onsite and offsite, the monthly charges will be: $80, including one monthly trip @ $35 plus $15 administration fee plus three canisters in storage @ $10 each.

To initiate service, call the Computer Support Help Desk at H-E-L-P (x4357) or email help@lbl.gov with your request details (project ID, location, contact information and pickup/droppoff location preference).

For more information on this service or other backup-related needs, contact the Backup Services Group via email at Backups@lbl.gov or by phone at xBKUP (x2587). More information is also available from the website.