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Objective |
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To develop, demonstrate and sustain a capability to restore the computing environment provided by Altech to customer agencies. |
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Preamble |
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The Altech Management is fully committed to the Disaster Recovery Model. |
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Program Scope |
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The Disaster Recovery Program described herein addresses all production applications and data supported platforms. The scope includes the data network and delivery mechanism provided by Altech to the customer agencies. The scope of this Disaster Recovery Plan may be revised over time as a response to new or changing customer requirements. It will also depend on the length of time during which the customer organization is willing to accept disrupted service. Any modification in scope will be negotiated between the company and the customer agency. |
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Only the following topics are included (currently) in the scope of this program. |
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The potential targets and sources of disaster could be |
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 Power
Communication
Networking
Data Storage
Employees |
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Power |
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Main source of power is from a power utility supplier’s cable. (a 3 phase system which draws power from a single source). |
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The major reasons for disruption in power could be |
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Power cut, planned (by the utility provider) or unplanned
Fire
UPS problems
Power surge |
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As part of the recovery plan, a diesel generator is maintained to take care of power cuts for any required number of hours. |
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The generator will be able to backup not only the UPS supply for computers, but also run other necessary equipment essential for the functioning of the unit. |
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An electrician or service engineer, who is trained on the maintenance of Generators, will always be available. |
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A service record for the generator will be maintained. |
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Fire alarms installed in the premises will be routinely tested to check for any malfunctions. |
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Fire fighting equipments like fire extinguishers will be placed at easily accessible places. A service record for all fire fighting equipment will be maintained.. |
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Key personnel in each working floor of the unit will have enough knowledge about the operating of fire fighting equipment. In addition to that regular fire drills will be conducted. |
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Data lost during a power accident will be recoverable from data that has been backed up. |
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The backup capacity of the UPS will be planned taking into account the maximum demand on the UPS. |
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Communications |
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Communications link is the lifeline of IT/ITES industry. |
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2 dedicated links from 2 different ISP’s will ensure that the communications links are always running. The odds of both the links collapsing at the same time is very low. However, this decision would be taken commensurate with competitiveness of the business and the customer needs. |
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Communication engineers will constantly monitor and make sure that the link does not go down. |
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All key personnel will be aware of the phone numbers and contact names of people working with the ISP providers. |
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Engineers, on stand-by, will be able to come to the site within the shortest possible duration, during emergency periods. |
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Networking |
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Networking is another factor that is very important to this business. This is one area that needs extra care and attention. |
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The systems administrator and the systems manager along with the maintenance people, will ensure that the networks are always finely tuned and running to its full speed and capacity. |
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A maintenance log will be maintained for various equipments installed in the premises of the unit. |
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Engineers who install various equipments will routinely check the equipment for malfunctions and other problems. |
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The in-house maintenance team will also ensure that the spare parts are readily available. |
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When the maintenance problems cannot be solved in-house, the affected unit will be replaced by a stand by unit to ensure that the services do not get affected. |
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Apart from the above mentioned procedures some important disaster prevention tools that will be installed include. |
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Surge suppressors |
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Uninterruptible Power Supplies |
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Bypass switches |
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Mirrored Servers |
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Redundant Switches |
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Surge Suppressors |
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Surge suppression will be the first line of defense against technology crashes. Surge protectors will also be installed to protect the telephone systems. |
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UPS Systems |
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Call center specific UPS systems that are installed with Power Alert plus software, which monitors the power and shuts down the system automatically when needed, will be installed. |
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Bypass Switches |
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Bypass switches will be utilized to redirect calls to some other location in case of a total system failure. If there is power failure in the telecom switch, calls can still be handled because there is a miniature standby switch and termination device. |
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Mirrored Servers |
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There will be simultaneous mirroring of data on to a back up server in real time. |
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Redundant switches |
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Backup networking switches will be installed in order to ensure hassle free network traffic. |
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Data Storage |
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Electronic data is the single most valuable asset. While disaster-damaged equipment can be replaced with new computers and facilities can be restored or reconstructed, system controls data and customer agency’s electronic information cannot be obtained from any outside source. It is unique, volatile and irreplaceable. It will be protected. |
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All the servers and hard disks of key personnel will be backed up regularly. |
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A variety of media will be used to create backups. Daily, weekly & monthly backup ensures that there is very minimal loss of data. |
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All backups will have the “verify” option to ensure that the backup works. |
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Backup will be taken on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to ensure depth of file versions. |
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A copy of the backup will be transferred to an offsite location that is also easily accessible from the unit. |
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Backup procedures will be an automated process. In places where this is not an automated process the manual system is made foolproof. |
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Whether the backup system is an automated procedure or a manual process, a backup log will be maintained, for each and every media that is being used. |
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Mock runs will be done to ensure the validity of backup procedures and norms. |
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Back up data will be properly archived and stored both inside the unit and at the offsite location. |
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A cluster of servers having features like RAD will ensure 24 x 7 based operations and continuous uptime. |
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Employee Access |
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Employees are the backbone of an organization. But they could create havoc from the inside. Leaving without prior notice, sabotaging data, server or any other piece of equipment etc. are some of the areas that could prove disastrous. |
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Network passwords will be changed at regular intervals to ensure data security. |
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The network manager and the network administrator will always ensure that the security and data integrity of all servers are always maintained. |
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The networking people will also take care of restricting employee access to servers and maintaining server space. |
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All the employees will not have access to all the areas of the unit (e.g. General employees will be restricted from entering the communications room etc.). |
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The Team Leads, managers and the other employees should meet once every 15 days to listen to various operational issues and other problems. |
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A log will be maintained about all points discussed during these meetings. This would ensure that necessary action for various issues is taken care of. |
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Disaster Management Team |
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In addition to equipment, Power and communication failure it is important to address other kinds of disasters. Transact proposes to form a disaster management team which will be supported by groups providing: |
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Administrative support
Logistic support
Travel support
Human resources support
Communication services support
Internal information technology recovery team |
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General Notes |
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All the maintenance logs, reports etc. will also be maintained at an offsite location. |
