Backup solutions?
Discussion
Currently, I backup data on my PCs by simply burning files to CD, which I promptly lose.
Seeing as I've got some very important data on my PC (5 years of company accounts for one!), I keep meaning to get myself setup with a decent backup system, however can't decide what one to go for.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to create full backups of my system, so that in the event of a crash, I could restore my system from scratch and not have to install all my apps again.
Additionally, I'd like to be able to do regular incremental backups.
I'd like an external system (several PCs to backup), and one that isn't too expensive.
I have thought about an external USB/Firewire Hard disks or even DVD writer, but would be grateful for any other recommendations for hardware and software.
Seeing as I've got some very important data on my PC (5 years of company accounts for one!), I keep meaning to get myself setup with a decent backup system, however can't decide what one to go for.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to create full backups of my system, so that in the event of a crash, I could restore my system from scratch and not have to install all my apps again.
Additionally, I'd like to be able to do regular incremental backups.
I'd like an external system (several PCs to backup), and one that isn't too expensive.
I have thought about an external USB/Firewire Hard disks or even DVD writer, but would be grateful for any other recommendations for hardware and software.
Podie said:
Are you using a server? Get a DDS4 or LTO tape drive... and use something like Veritas Backup Exec...
No - just a couple of home PCs and a laptop.
Most of my data is on one PC, but I would like the option of backing up stuff on the others too.
One idea I had was to do a full backup to start with (to a portable hard disk, or pile of DVDs), then simply do incremental ones every week/month or so, which should be OK with CD/DVD capacities.
I'm guessing I'd need some proper backup software to manage this though.
I use an OnStream drive (30gb) to backup all my essential work data - SQL backups/Sourcecode/Outlook files etc.
Keep an eye on www.todayonly.co.uk - they've started offering DAT drives at around £300 lately, which I'd prefer over my OnStream kit.
Also just installed a cheap raid card (Highpoint Rocket 404) so my data drive is mirrored (Raid 1). I've had drives fail on occasions previously and mirroring was the cheapest safety option on top of the backup kit.
Keep an eye on www.todayonly.co.uk - they've started offering DAT drives at around £300 lately, which I'd prefer over my OnStream kit.
Also just installed a cheap raid card (Highpoint Rocket 404) so my data drive is mirrored (Raid 1). I've had drives fail on occasions previously and mirroring was the cheapest safety option on top of the backup kit.
it sounds like you are talking about tow things here.
Backing up your data and backing up you machines image so you can restore it in the event of a failure.
Unless you have a lot of really important data I would say that your documents, accounts etc will compress to a reasonable size and should go on a DVD.
Re the image, you can use something like Symantec Ghost to create an image of your drive, so that in the event of a disaster you can rebuild from a single point (start it, go away for a while, come back and it is done). However you have to be rebuilding on exactly the same syste hardware wise or you will run into trouble..
D.
Backing up your data and backing up you machines image so you can restore it in the event of a failure.
Unless you have a lot of really important data I would say that your documents, accounts etc will compress to a reasonable size and should go on a DVD.
Re the image, you can use something like Symantec Ghost to create an image of your drive, so that in the event of a disaster you can rebuild from a single point (start it, go away for a while, come back and it is done). However you have to be rebuilding on exactly the same syste hardware wise or you will run into trouble..
D.
Go to ebay.co.uk and get:
A server of some sort, big enough to store all your files.
A DLT tape drive for said server.
A hard disk big enough to store everything on all your PCs.
Every day do an incremental backup on the server to the DLT drive.
Every week/fortnight, image (norton ghost etc) all PCs to the server and back that up to the DLT on a different tape set.
A server of some sort, big enough to store all your files.
A DLT tape drive for said server.
A hard disk big enough to store everything on all your PCs.
Every day do an incremental backup on the server to the DLT drive.
Every week/fortnight, image (norton ghost etc) all PCs to the server and back that up to the DLT on a different tape set.
Do you have broadband? If so, you could consider an online backup service. This is usually cheaper than buying a DAT drive and tapes and takes away all the hastle of tape rotation and storage. It will usually provide you with greater security too - how many people do you know that do home backups store a recent copy away from home? None, exactly. And then what happens when the house burns down? Well, its bye bye data AND backups.....
I've got a 100GB hard disk, but probably only 30GB or so data at the moment.
I'm starting to get into digital imaging though, and with each scan being 100MB in size, this will soon grow.
Don't have broadband at the mo, however I've just found a product called WinBackup which looks like it will do everything I need it to. I'll give it a go with my CD burner, but if this takes too long, I'll probably get myself an external Firewire/USB DVD burner.
I've also thought about the fact that my backups currently sit in their CD cases strewn around my PC, and will also be buying a fireproof safe to keep them in. I also plan to stick a few important files (e.g., my company accounts file) online somewhere.
Thanks for all your advice.
I'm starting to get into digital imaging though, and with each scan being 100MB in size, this will soon grow.
Don't have broadband at the mo, however I've just found a product called WinBackup which looks like it will do everything I need it to. I'll give it a go with my CD burner, but if this takes too long, I'll probably get myself an external Firewire/USB DVD burner.
I've also thought about the fact that my backups currently sit in their CD cases strewn around my PC, and will also be buying a fireproof safe to keep them in. I also plan to stick a few important files (e.g., my company accounts file) online somewhere.
Thanks for all your advice.
One of the best value and quality systems around are the Iomega HDD systems. I have a 80GB external system that uses a USB 2 interface. It backs up automatically at the end of the day only the files that have been added or modified. Look here (They have a special on right now including the USB 2 card).
plotloss said:
BIG Tapes.
Cant remember what they are called though...
Usually called "bastards".
These geezers have some useful info on their site: www.cristie.co.uk/
Describes the various tape formats available alongst other things.
As has already been said, it is probably best to think of your needs as two seperate problems. Avoid having to reinstall your software by ghosting the machine. Not much point having this data though if your house burns down, so putting it on tape is probably not worth the effort. How you handle the backup of your business data is dependent on how much you have already, and how quickly you create new data. Transferring data across the internet is low on hassle, but it is also only suitable for relatively small amounts of data and if you have to recover data across the internet this can be slow too. Tape is the big boy option, but it can be expensive and it requires a fair bit of self discipline to actually remeber to swap the tapes, put them somewhere safe etc. Portable hard discs are cheap, have same discipline issues as tape, but are more fragile than tape. Backup is a pain in the arse, but a smaller one than loosing all your data.
I may work for a large backup software company in tech support - anyone want some advice, drop me a line.
However, I am on holiday as of tomorrow night!!!
To be brutally honest, NTBackup that comes bundled with Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 is Veritas Backup Exec in stripped down mode. Get yourself a spare harddrive (or 2) and backup on to them - total cost is less than £100 per disk.
Backup Exec will set you back big time, no doubt about it - it's not a home solution. Tape drive and tapes are EXPENSIVE.
Stick to the simple stuff, or you'll be on the phone to me later
However, I am on holiday as of tomorrow night!!!
To be brutally honest, NTBackup that comes bundled with Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 is Veritas Backup Exec in stripped down mode. Get yourself a spare harddrive (or 2) and backup on to them - total cost is less than £100 per disk.
Backup Exec will set you back big time, no doubt about it - it's not a home solution. Tape drive and tapes are EXPENSIVE.
Stick to the simple stuff, or you'll be on the phone to me later
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