StevenHook
asked on
Backup options
Hi,
For years I've used Mozy to back my files up online, but I have 2 problems that I need to face up to soon, and find a suitable solution.
1. Mozy doesn't version or archive. I don't have indefinite copies of a file or archives of deleted files. Sometimes I search for something only to find that perhaps t was deleted months or years ago, perhaps accidentally, perhaps in rigorous cleaning, and then it's gone from mozy too :(
2. I am getting more and more devices, I had 1 computer, noy I have 3, knowing what's where and keeping track of what's backed up and what's not is becoming tedious.
I think ideally I'd like something like a NAS at home that has a copy of all my files and stores them indefinitely. But then for hardware faults and burglaries etc, I'd need a backup of that NAS on an online service where I can easily access, or restore stuff I need.
I LOOOVE dropbox's options for this kind of thing. the way you can search deleted files and get previous versions, but size wise dropbox is limited, and it's expensive, and I don't know how to make it work as a proper backup solution in conjunction with a local storage device.
A lot of my digital media isn't backed up because of the size, movies, music etc I would like to back up, but they take up so much space, I'm not sure how to do it effectively.
I have a old XP workstation at home, Macbook air, old windows 7 laptop and and a windows 7 workstation at the office that all need to be part of the plan.
Please could you help me work something out that will able to keep all my stuff safe.
For years I've used Mozy to back my files up online, but I have 2 problems that I need to face up to soon, and find a suitable solution.
1. Mozy doesn't version or archive. I don't have indefinite copies of a file or archives of deleted files. Sometimes I search for something only to find that perhaps t was deleted months or years ago, perhaps accidentally, perhaps in rigorous cleaning, and then it's gone from mozy too :(
2. I am getting more and more devices, I had 1 computer, noy I have 3, knowing what's where and keeping track of what's backed up and what's not is becoming tedious.
I think ideally I'd like something like a NAS at home that has a copy of all my files and stores them indefinitely. But then for hardware faults and burglaries etc, I'd need a backup of that NAS on an online service where I can easily access, or restore stuff I need.
I LOOOVE dropbox's options for this kind of thing. the way you can search deleted files and get previous versions, but size wise dropbox is limited, and it's expensive, and I don't know how to make it work as a proper backup solution in conjunction with a local storage device.
A lot of my digital media isn't backed up because of the size, movies, music etc I would like to back up, but they take up so much space, I'm not sure how to do it effectively.
I have a old XP workstation at home, Macbook air, old windows 7 laptop and and a windows 7 workstation at the office that all need to be part of the plan.
Please could you help me work something out that will able to keep all my stuff safe.
ASKER
I have most of my larger digital media (yes, licenced - which is why I don't have backups, I always thought I can download it again easily - but would like an archive somewhere) on small externals like you say, I'll have to ask at our banks if they do safety boxes, I've never heard of them being used in this country.
Does rackspace have permanent archives and versioning? I particularly want permanent archives for my photos, camera roll etc.
I used rackspace once before for their cdn cloud service and really didn't like the quality of the service, it was slow and often transfers were interrupted. Have you found their service reliable?
Thanks
Steve
Does rackspace have permanent archives and versioning? I particularly want permanent archives for my photos, camera roll etc.
I used rackspace once before for their cdn cloud service and really didn't like the quality of the service, it was slow and often transfers were interrupted. Have you found their service reliable?
Thanks
Steve
I have had nothing but great service from RackSpace, and the local banks have safe deposit boxes in almost every case where I am, but then I'm on the East Coast of the US...not sure where you are at.
Rackspace offers a variety of configuration optons for version control. See the attached screen shot for details.
Additionally the advanced option allows you to choose file types not to keep previous versions, as well as folders not to keep previous versions. Very handy.
JungleDisk.jpg
Rackspace offers a variety of configuration optons for version control. See the attached screen shot for details.
Additionally the advanced option allows you to choose file types not to keep previous versions, as well as folders not to keep previous versions. Very handy.
JungleDisk.jpg
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It sounds like multiple external USB drives and a home priced backup solution is best for you. i suggest using one USB 3.0 drive for monthly or quarterly backups and a 2nd one for more weekly backups.
There are tons of options and they all have a cost and time requirement on your part. You might look at Paragon-Software. they have a great home app that provides backup and utilities. you get more value with an app like that than a backup only app.
We use Paragon software and it works well. Support is great also.
There are tons of options and they all have a cost and time requirement on your part. You might look at Paragon-Software. they have a great home app that provides backup and utilities. you get more value with an app like that than a backup only app.
We use Paragon software and it works well. Support is great also.
@selgovern is the way to go he has laid it out big time.
One point to note if you think his solution is expensive. How much will it cost you to recover the data even if you can if you don't do it that way?
One point to note if you think his solution is expensive. How much will it cost you to recover the data even if you can if you don't do it that way?
ASKER
It's a lot to digest,
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
A portable 2.5" form factor hard drive can hold a lot of information and it is a one-time purchase. Buy two of them and keep one in a safe deposit box at the bank. These boxes are as secure as you can get and will typically hold a dozen or more of these hard drives for about $30 a year - you can't find much that will match. This will give you backups for all of your main files and (licensed) digital media that you would want to keep, and you could arrange any version control scheme you wanted manually for this aspect of your backup strategy.
Then you can explore real-time cloud solutions to back up the smaller files that change a lot and that you need version control on with the lightweight solutions found in various cloud offerings. I have found Rackspace.com's Jungle Disk to be a really attractive price for the amount of storage you get, and you can set up multiple backup vaults with one account.