This policy refers to backups of user data in the local Camden data center that are copied onto any backup media, including disk-to-disk storage. Not all user data is stored locally in the data center. The information and policies described on this page do not apply to the university’s cloud storage or inter-campus storage.
Routine backups of user and system data are carried out at intervals that vary according to the type of storage and the type of data. These backups are made in case of a system failure or in case a user accidentally deletes one or more of their files.
Retention Period
This policy refers to how long these backup are kept (their retention). Daily backups for user data on our NetApp storage systems are kept for one week using online disk storage. Weekly NetApp backups are kept for eight weeks using online disk storage.
No NetApp online backups are saved beyond eight weeks. Thus if a user deletes a file in their account on purpose or by accident, that file most likely can be recovered from the backup area for the first week and maybe for a period of up to eight weeks on the weekly backups. Beyond eight weeks from the time the file was deleted, that file cannot be recovered from backups.
File and Log Retention
Files which are not deleted from a user’s account are kept for as long as that account remains active. System files and log files may be retained for up to one year for proper administration of systems and statistical analysis of log data.
The above policy holds for all RUCIT servers, including VMware, Linux, Windows, and any other server-class systems.
Additional Information
Backups of data occur every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These backups are performed nightly between 11pm and 4am. Most backups are copied to online disk storage locally in Camden while some are remotely copied to the New Brunswick campus.
Questions on the above policy can be sent to the Camden Help Desk, help@camden.rutgers.edu.
Adopted: May 2002
Updated: October 2005, October 2006, October 2008, January 2022