Why a Server Data Recovery Plan is Important

Data is the lifeline of every organization. A database is one of the most sensitive and valuable assets of a business. 

From transactions to cash flows, from number-crunching to research and development, data plays a tremendous role in making organizations grow. 

Businesses of all types and sizes need to store vital information in databases. And the most popular database is the SQL Server.

As a centralized server for housing your organization’s server, an SQL server never fails to deliver a big impact. 

However, SQL Server users have a huge problem in their hands if their server crash. In such cases, quickly recovering server data becomes a top priority, all while avoiding any data loss. 

As SQL server can be hosted in a data center or on your own server in your local area network. Therefore, it’s important to protect your SQL Server with a valid backup. 

As a server crash cannot be predicted, then being prepared is better than being caught off guard. A Server Data Recovery Plan can save time and money by quickly overcoming data loss, database and operational downtime. 

A Server Data Recovery Plan, whether for SQL servers or other database servers, must go through possible downtime scenarios where the recovery time is evaluated. This simulation can potentially save days when it comes to the inevitable server crash. 

Top summary: A centralized server ensures data safety and accessibility. But even the reliable SQL server is bound to crash. Businesses must have a Server Data Recovery plan in place to avoid negative impacts on operations.  

What makes a server crash?

A “server crash” or a “server down” is when there’s a server failure and its users can’t access the system. Servers are not only susceptible to a crash but to file corruption, accidental deletion, among other issues causing downtime.

Getting a “Server is Not Responding” or a “Server is Not Found” can be nerve-racking for any business. 

An SQL server crash might not happen often. It’s just that when it does, would you be ready with a server recovery plan to overcome it and avoid data loss? 

A server crash once detected and diagnosed, might take one or two hours to get fixed in case of common database downtime issues, for instance. However, for complex issues like a hardware replacement or a software reinstallment, it may require several hours or even a week! 

Some common server crash causes are:

• Power Failure: by faulty power cable or power surges
• Network Problem: issue can be with the server or the client-side (or both), faulty ethernet cable
• Hardware Problem: by a failed disk or failed RAID array controller, for example
• High Server Workload: when the server can’t handle heavy traffic demand
• Configuration Bug: by misconfiguration of applications
• Virus or Malware: infected server by hackers unable to accept client’s request
• Overheating: by insufficient air conditioning to regulate server room’s temperature 

A server data recovery is inevitable when the user doesn’t have any plan in place for the recovery of the server database. Without recovery plans, even minor server crashes can result in severe data loss

Summary: There are a few known causes for a server crash that makes it inaccessible to users. As cybercrimes and data security breaches are becoming more and more sophisticated, a hacking prevention strategy must be part of a Server Recovery Plan. For more specific information, read more on Ransomware Recovery.

What is a Server Data Recovery Plan?

Server recovery plans are the set of documented step-by-step guidelines that server users must follow when a server goes down or suffers server data loss. 

These server recovery plans are developed alongside server backup strategies. A structured approach is established according to different scenarios in order to recover server databases without any server data loss. 

This server data recovery plan needs to be followed even when SQL server databases go down unexpectedly due to any glitch, virus attack, or system shutdown.

Having an established SQL Server Data Recovery Plan in place will act as a roadmap. 

Following the proper course of action described in a Server Recovery Plan can really impact recovery time. 

For instance, the difference lies between restoring a full server backup from slow FTP storage that takes days to boot up, to a backup server that is already synced on a daily basis with a Rsync server and requires only a few minutes.

Instead of an impromptu response that will most likely not fix the issue or waste time, the Server Recovery Plan is important to speed up response time to a database downtime incident.

How do server recovery plans work?

Server recovery plans basically work by following server backup strategies. Recovery is easier and faster once involved people know their assigned role and steps to take in each scenario. 

One needs to ensure that server backup is taken immediately after server crashes. This will help bring back critical server information in time and minimize business disruption.

A Server Data Recovery Plan should be tailored to each business type and size. But in general, the following steps should be included: 

Step 1. 

Define primary goal and recovery priority.

Step 2. 

Establish a recovery team, assign roles, and a chain of command.

Step 3. 

Maintain an updated inventory of hardware, software, and resources.

Step 4.

Assess risks, as well as insider and outsider threats. 

Step 5. 

Establish a backup worksite location and personnel in case of natural disasters, like hurricanes, floods, or fire.  

Be sure to include server data recovery professionals like SalvageData in your Server Recovery Plan. Determine expert server consultation beforehand in case of prolonged SQL server crashes. 

Summary: A Server Data Recovery Plan is a documented guideline to overcome server crashes with minimal or any data loss or operational downtime. Make sure you read our guide Developing a Disaster Recovery Plan for detailed information. 

Server Recovery Plan: Useful Tips

Following a well-documented server recovery plan can help server users get server data back without losing data or money. 

1. Test server backup to be sure that it’s working properly before any real server crash.
2. Schedule server backup so that server data is captured at regular intervals and nothing gets missed out during server crashes or server data loss.
3. Keep server recovery plans ready and handy. A printed copy should be available so that server users can recover server databases in time even when a server crashes suddenly.
4. Have a server data backup strategy to avoid server crashes and server data loss in the future.
5. Keep the server room as cool as possible, never let its temperature exceed 77°F. Also, make sure the server room and the servers themselves are clean and dust-free. 
6. Run periodic tests and personnel drills to ensure the server recovery plan is effective. 

Data loss is one of the main causes of business bankruptcy. When critical and time-sensitive data is at risk, rely on server data recovery experts at SalvageData. Request our 24/7 Emergency Services and Remote Data Recovery by highly trained technicians to overcome a server crash as quickly as possible.