SCS TiBS Retirement Project

Project Overview

TiBS is being retired, but don’t worry—we'll help you choose the right way to protect your data.

SCS Computing Facilities is retiring the Archival Backup Service (TiBS), which has been in containment since November 13, 2025. If your system is currently enrolled in TiBS, we'll help you transition to a supported service that provides enhanced data protection, reliability, and support while minimizing disruption to your work.

Why is TiBS being retired?

We recognize this is a change, but it’s a necessary one.

The vendor behind TiBS has ended operations and no longer supports this technology. As a result, we can no longer maintain TiBS as a reliable backup solution. Continuing to use the service creates several risks to your data:

Backups and restores may not always work as expected.
Tapes wear out over time, which could leave some data unreadable.
The vendor is no longer in business, so there are no software updates or technical support if something breaks.
TiBS does not back up databases, which may leave important application data unprotected.

Your Options Moving Forward

Not sure which option is right for your system? Compare features, support levels, and estimated costs for each available service.

Compare Service Options

CrashPlan (Data Protection Service)

Best for: Individual laptops and single-user desktops.
How it works: Automatically backs up personal work files to the cloud whenever you are logged in. Provided at no cost. CrashPlan isn't new here — it's already the Data Protection Service running across campus today.

Commvault Server Backup ("Bring Your Own Server")

Best for: Physical servers, HPC clusters, or virtual machines hosted outside of Campus Cloud.
How it works: Agent-based backup running directly on your host operating system to protect server files and databases. The self-hosted option keeps your server under your own control, with SCS Computing Facilities backing it up nightly on university infrastructure — the same team that already supports you.

SCS-Supported Campus Cloud (“We Provide the Server”)

Best for: Individuals who want a lean, flexible, managed virtual server with software support provided by an SCS dedicated team.
How it works: Your applications will be installed on a newly built virtual server using the latest supported Ubuntu or Windows operating system. Data will be transferred from your existing server to the new server. Backup protection will be included.

Campus Cloud Plus ("We Provide the Server")

Best for: Individuals running production or enterprise applications that require a virtual server environment with dedicated management by Computing Services.
How it works: Your application will be installed on a newly built virtual server using the latest supported version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Windows. Data will be transferred from your existing server to the new server. Computing Services will manage the server and operating system. Backup protection will be included.

Get Started

If you’re ready to transition your system or confirm the best option, our team is here to help. We’ll review your device, provide a recommendation, and guide you through next steps.

Complete the Service Transition Form
Use the webform link provided in your email to select your preferred replacement option or to request a consultation with us.

Note: If we do not receive your response, the Archival Backup Service for your computer will be discontinued.
We'll review your submission and provide tailored guidance
A team member will contact you with a recommended transition path and outline next steps.
Contact us anytime
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the SCS Help Center at help@cs.cmu.edu.

At the end of this process, you'l have a solution that works for your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand the sections below to find answers to common questions about backup options moving forward.

General

Can my department restore its own files?

CrashPlan: Individual users can restore their own files or folders anytime directly through the CrashPlan desktop application or user web portal.
Commvault Server Backup: Designated departmental IT administrators can restore individual files through a secure web portal.
SCS-Supported Campus Cloud: System owners can restore individual files or an entire server through a snapshot themselves. They can also request help through the Help Center.
Campus Cloud Plus: Restores are managed through the Help Center.

How much will it cost?

CrashPlan Data Protection Service ("You Bring Your Own Device")
- Best for: Individual laptops and single-user desktops.
- Cost: Free of charge for all eligible users.
Commvault Server Backup ("You Bring Your Own Server")
- Best for: Physical servers, HPC clusters, or virtual machines hosted outside Campus Cloud.
- Cost: $575.85 per host per year, plus $0.077 per GB of data added to the backup service.
SCS-Supported Campus Cloud ("We Provide the Server")
- Best for: Virtual servers hosted on CMU's private cloud infrastructure.
- Backup protection is included at no additional charge. Your annual Campus Cloud cost is based on the resources assigned to your server:
  - Server base fee: $60.41 per server
  - Processing: $17.88 per vCPU
  - Memory: $5.03 per GB of RAM
  - Tier 1 solid-state storage: $0.445 per GB
  - Tier 2 reduced-performance storage: $0.138 per GB
Campus Cloud Plus ("We Provide the Server")
- Backup protection is included at no additional charge. Campus Cloud Plus includes the standard Campus Cloud resource costs above, plus:
  - System management: $216.41 per year with automated management or $720.10 per year with quarterly manual management
  - One-time setup fee: $154.98 per server

Our team will calculate a clear, upfront annual estimate based on your system's data usage before any charges occur.

What happens if I do not respond by the migration deadline?

If no response or billing string is received by the deadline, backup service for that computer will end on the retirement date.

Note: Removing backup service does not retire or decommission the physical computer hardware itself.

What happens to existing TiBS backup data if I migrate?

Systems migrating to Enterprise Server Solutions will start with a fresh full backup in the new environment. Historical TiBS backup data will not be transferred or imported into the new service and will remain on the legacy TiBS infrastructure for a limited transition period following migration. A final retention deadline for TiBS restores has not yet been set and will be communicated once finalized.

Note: Because TiBS is an aging legacy platform, long-term availability of historical backups cannot be guaranteed.

What if I need long-term or multi-year archival storage?

Because standard backup retention is 30 days, operational backups are not intended for long-term record preservation. If you need to preserve data longer, we can help you explore archival options. KiltHub may be an option, depending on your data and preservation requirements.

Who should I contact if I have any questions about this project?

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the SCS Help Center at help@cs.cmu.edu.

Enterprise Server Solutions

Are the Enterprise Server Solutions considered archival services?

No. Both Commvault Server Backups and Campus Cloud protect active systems for operational recovery. Long-term archival storage is not currently part of the service.

Are the Enterprise Server Solutions considered disaster recovery services?

No. Both Commvault Server Backups and Campus Cloud focus on operational recovery (restoring lost files or system states), not instant site failover.

Campus Cloud Backup: Automatically replicates nightly hypervisor snapshots to a secondary data center for off-site protection. However, rapid site failover (such as Bridged Network Image Restore or database high-availability clusters) requires optional service add-ons and separate planning.
Commvault Server Backup: Protects server data against local failure or file loss. In a major disaster, data is recovered from off-site storage to a new or repaired machine.

If your department has strict disaster recovery or multi-site failover requirements, additional planning and consultation are required.

Can I back up laptops or desktops with Server Backups?

No. Commvault Server Backups are designed specifically for server infrastructure.

For laptops and single-user fixed desktops, use the CrashPlan Data Protection Service. CrashPlan is provided free of charge, but it requires an active user login session to perform backups and cannot be used for unattended servers, shared drives, or system state.

What are the migration requirements for the Commvault Server Backup?

To begin a migration to the Computing Services backup service, your department will need the following:

Administrative Requirement

Privileged -admin accounts with Duo/2FA are used for web console access.

Billing Requirements

A valid Oracle string for recharge billing. Note: this is for annual cost-recovery recharge billing ($575.85/host/year plus $0.077/GB/year).

Technical Requirements

A supported OS where the local backup agent (iDA) can be installed.

What happens if a server leaves the Enterprise Server Solutions backup service?

When a server is unenrolled, its retained backup data expires after the standard 30-day retention window.

What if my system is not compatible with Server Backups?

Computing Services will work with the system owner to determine the appropriate option. Depending on the system, this may include upgrading the system, using another data protection approach, removing the system from backup, or retiring the system.

Because legacy TiBS hardware and tape drives are aging, long-term availability of historical tape backups cannot be guaranteed.

SCS Computing Facilities