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SCS TiBS Retirement Project

Project Overview

We are retiring the Archival Backup Service (TiBS), which has been in containment since November 13, 2025. Systems currently protected by TiBS will transition to a supported backup service provided by Computing Services that uses Commvault as its underlying technology.

The new service provides reliable data protection while minimizing disruption during the transition. It is not a one-to-one replacement for TiBS. Important differences in service features, coverage, and retention are described below.

Why is TiBS being retired?

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:

  • Backups and restores may not always work as expected.
  • Tapes wear out over time, which could leave some data unreadable.
  • Software updates and vendor support are no longer available if something breaks.

What Happens Next?

Beginning November 9, 2026, the Computing Services Griffin School support team will install the new backup software and begin transitioning systems to the new service. We plan to complete all migrations by November 30, 2026.

The work will occur in the background to minimize any impact on your systems. You do not need to schedule the migration or take action at this time. If we identify a system-specific issue that requires your assistance, a member of the support team will contact you directly.

The transition will include the following steps:

  1. We configure the new service.
    The backup software will be installed and configured on each system.
  2. We verify the backup.
    The new service will begin with a full backup. We will confirm that it completes successfully.

About the New Backup Service

The new backup service protects physical servers, HPC systems, virtual machines hosted outside Campus Cloud, and supported databases. It is designed to help restore files and data after loss, damage, or corruption.

The service includes:

  • Nightly backups of server files and supported databases
  • 30-day backup retention
  • Ransomware detection and protected backup copies
  • Restore assistance from the SCS computing support team

This is an operational backup service. It does not provide full virtual machine snapshots, long-term archival storage, or disaster recovery.

Funding During the Transition

To ensure that your systems remain protected while you determine the best long-term approach, the SCS Dean’s Office will cover the difference between the current TiBS cost and the cost of the new backup service through November 30, 2027.

After your systems are moved, the SCS Computing Services support team will work with you to evaluate your backup needs, explain future costs, and consider long-term options. These may include continuing with the Computing Services backup service or moving to a different service that better meets your needs.

You will need to select and fund a long-term solution before the Dean’s Office funding ends.

What Does it Cost?

The new backup service costs $575.85 per host each year, plus $0.077 per GB of data added to the service. Existing server management and support costs still apply.

Through November 30, 2027, the Griffin School Dean’s Office will cover the difference between the annual TiBS cost of $312 and the cost of the new backup service.

We will move your systems to the new service so they remain protected during the subsidy period. During that time, we will help you evaluate each system’s technical needs and available budget, identify the best long-term option, and confirm any ongoing costs. If another service is a suitable fit, we will also help coordinate the transition.

You will need to select and fund a long-term solution before the Dean’s Office funding ends.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The $312 annual TiBS rate had not increased since the service began and did not reflect the full cost of operating and supporting a modern backup solution. The new service uses a cost-recovery model that includes an annual software license fee for each host and a charge based on the amount of data protected.

Designated departmental IT administrators can restore individual files through the secure Commvault web portal. Access requires the SCS Admin VPN, a privileged account, and Duo two-factor authentication. Restores can also be requested through the SCS support team managing the backup service for your system. 

When your system moves to the new backup service it will start with a fresh full backup in the new environment. Historical TiBS backups will not transfer to the new service. They will remain on the TiBS infrastructure and be available for restores for a limited transition period.

A final deadline for requesting historical restores has not been set. Because the TiBS platform and tape drives are aging, long-term availability cannot be guaranteed.

No. The service protects server data against local failure, accidental deletion, corruption, and other data loss. It does not provide immediate site failover or high-availability services.

In a major disaster, protected data would need to be restored to a repaired or replacement system.

No. The service protects active systems for operational recovery and retains backups for 30 days. It is not intended for long-term data preservation.

 

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.

 

No. The new service is designed for server infrastructure, including physical servers, HPC systems, virtual machines hosted outside Campus Cloud, and supported databases.

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

  • The new service is designed for server infrastructure, including physical servers, HPC systems, virtual machines hosted outside Campus Cloud, and supported databases.
  • Systems must use a supported operating system that allows the local Commvault backup software to be installed.

No new backups will be created after the service ends. Existing backups will expire and will not be available for restores after the standard 30-day retention period.

Removing backup protection does not retire or decommission the physical system.

During the subsidy period, we will help you evaluate each system’s technical needs and available budget, identify the best long-term option, and confirm any ongoing costs. If another service is a suitable fit, we will also help coordinate the transition.

If you decide not to continue backup protection, we will explain the potential impact and document your acceptance of the associated risks before coverage ends.

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