The media that you use for backups must be removable so they can be archived off site to protect data from natural disaster. Always consider the size of your backup in relation to your backup media. For example, tapes with a large storage capacity are a practical and reliable option to back up a 20GB database.

Tape compatibility is also a consideration because you might want to use the backup tapes on more than one system. This allows you to back up on one system and then restore to another system in the event of a system failure. A Digital Linear Tape (DLT) is supported on many platforms and can be used to either move data from one system to another, or to retrieve an archive.

Archiving off site is as important as the backup itself. If a fire, flood, or other natural disaster destroys your building, you can limit your data loss by having your backup at a separate location. A formalized service can be utilized, or you can simply store the backup tapes at a different facility. It is important to make sure you have access to your archives 24 hours a day, seven days a week.