Frequently Asked Questions
Download FAQs.
Q What are the respective roles of Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU 23), Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU 22), and Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit (IU 13) in the PAIUnet Disaster Recovery System?
MCIU provides the backup services. After your data is backed up at MCIU, it is replicated at IU 13 for redundancy. IU 13 provides colocation, production, and warm virtual server hosting. BCIU, MCIU and IU 13 work collaboratively to provide consultation and disaster recovery planning.
Q What is the turnaround time for data recovery?
Recovery begins immediately following a disaster because it is initiated through a web browser. The turnaround time for full recovery is dependent upon many factors, including the size of the backup. Warm DR servers are provisioned upon delivery of the contract. Once provisioned, servers are live with 24/7 district/IU access.
Q How far back in time can data be restored?
Clients subscribe to a GB plan. The client chooses what is backed up, how often it is backed up, and from where it is backed up (server, user, etc).
Q What is the client backup interval schedule?
The client determines the backup schedule.
Q What operating systems can be backed up?
Windows, Mac, Linux, any FTP, UNC, or IP accessible source can be backed up. Windows and Linux can be provisioned as a virtual server.
Q Does the DR Recovery System provide backup notifications and data verification?
Yes. The client chooses a preferred notification type such as email, summary detail, etc. There is also a web portal where these settings are accessible to the client.
Q What data security measures are in place during both transit and storage?
Local and target encryption data security measures are used. The client specifies the desired level of encryption, from none to AES 256.
Q Who has access to view my data once it is backed up or running on a virtual server?
No one can access your data unless you grant them the authority.
Q Is the server colocation and VM hosting part of the backup strategy or a second service being advertised? If it is part of the backup strategy, how is it implemented?
All services are listed a la carte, providing clients multiple options to best meet their needs. The services can work independently or in conjunction with each other, depending on the client's DR plan. Pricing discounts are available for purchases of multiple services.
Q What is the backup architecture (disk-to-disk, tape, etc....)
All backup architecture is disk-to-disk.
Q What is the disaster recovery strategy for the facility hosting the backups?
IU 13 is a replication site for the backup system at IU 23.
Q Is this based on an existing software data recovery suite, or is it custom?
It is based on the MSP suite backup software.