When preparing for a hurricane it is important to take some precautionary steps beforehand to help prevent damage to equipment, and ensure that your business can be up and running again as soon as power, and other services are restored.
Here is a basic checklist of things to do to prepare your network for a storm:
1.) BACKUP: Ensure that you have a backup of your most important data. Think about what information
you would need to operate if your server/computers/network were completely destroyed. You will want to
take this backup OFF SITE, and treat it as if it were the only copy. If possible make 2 copies to take off
site.
2.) UNPLUG: Turning off equipment and having them plugged into surge protectors is not enough. To
protect against direct lightening strikes and strange line activity that can occur during extended power
outages, it is important to UNPLUG power cables, and network/phone lines. If possible locate and
unplug internet equipment, such as cable and DSL modems and routers. Electrical surges can
come in on those lines as well.
3.) GENERATOR POWER & BATTERY BACKUPS: If power is not restored in a timely manner, and you
are forced to run off of a generator, please take some precautions. You will want let the generator run for
some time to let it even out the power that it generates. Even after that, you do not want to run
sophisticated equipment, such as computers, directly off of that generated power, as it tend to have
voltage spike and dips that can damage it. Use a UPS, or battery backup unit, as this will regulate the
power (you actually run off of the battery, and the battery is charged by the “dirty” power”. A surge
protector is not enough.
4.) BACKUP: This is such an important step I have included it twice. Equipment can be replaced, data
cannot.
If you or your business need any help with preparations, or getting back up and running, please give us a call.