Backup

[JamieAllen]

Hi there

Currently I'm backing up all customer databases and documents to a separate hard drive each day. I'm also thinking about backing up online as well, to have a back up off site.

Has anyone got any suggestions as the most effective way of backing up data? Any software suggestions?

 

[Pentangle]

It depends...

It depends how big your backup is likely to be
It depends what your attitude to backup strategies is (i.e. how often, what you can lose in case of disaster, etc)
It depends on your attitude to cost
It depends upon how long you can be out of action, waiting for the restore to work from offsite, if the worst happens

 

[Ranks]

I have never used any of the proper online back up systems, I auto email stuff up to a couple of my hosting accounts, its only a small amount of crucial stuff though. Gmail still have the 5gb limit? That can work as a simple back up location.
Jay

 

[REBOOTTHAT]

Hi,

To me it normally depends on the importance and change of data that sets the backup plan I need to implement.

I discuss this with my client first. But basically...

1) 2 x External backup drives

One in the office and one the client takes home, and then brings it back once a week/fornight depending on importance. This is normally for the larger files and folders that would take a long time uploading to the on-line backup. Essentially I backup absolutely everything.

2) www.delldatasafe.co.uk

I've been using this as my on-line backup facility for a while. I use the online facility to back-up most important work files (DAILY) from shared drives and the documents folders on the local PC (if that is where they are storing data). I don't backup everything to here as it would take forever and hog the bandwidth.

Hope that helps!

 

[Pentangle]

Have a look at www.dropbox.com then.

Also, http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads would sort you for the security aspect of storing your customer data online.

 

[REBOOTTHAT]

Hi,

To me it normally depends on the importance and change of data that sets the backup plan I need to implement.

I discuss this with my client first. But basically...

1) 2 x External backup drives

One in the office and one the client takes home, and then brings it back once a week/fornight depending on importance. This is normally for the larger files and folders that would take a long time uploading to the on-line backup. Essentially I backup absolutely everything.

2) www.delldatasafe.co.uk

I've been using this as my on-line backup facility for a while. I use the online facility to back-up most important work files (DAILY) from shared drives and the documents folders on the local PC (if that is where they are storing data). I don't backup everything to here as it would take forever and hog the bandwidth.

Hope that helps!

P.S This is for a very small company obviously!

 

[AdamJ]

Carbonite if its coming from one PC works very well, Carbonite Pro if you have a more complex set-up. I use Carbonite for continual off-site encrypted backup and it does the job nicely.

 

[Page]

I moved from Mozy - looked at carbonite - to idrive.

The others have probably moved on for example I know Mozy went up a full version notch recently but I have been VERY impressed with idrive.

There is a free 2GB account
It keeps versions - going back 30 - not 30 days
Works well
No freezing or crashing
Confirmation emails could be better when a problem

Because online upload is slow we just use it for some key files that are updated every day

But also do our own offsite back ups weekly

 

[landlordquery]

Multiple backups are essential

Verify them regularly (monthly or quarterly)

Use both onsite and offsite methods

 

[landlordquery]

Also, when you verify a tape, verify it in a different tape machine. Sometimes, one machine can write tapes that can't be read by any other machine, and you don't realise that until your machine dies and you buy another one and try to read a tape.

 

[leemason]

We provide an online backup server and I can provide you with a link to download trial software. Generally with online backup services the speed of the backup will depend upon how much data you have. The first backup will obviously take a bit of time but after that only new files and modifications to existing files will be backed up. Deleted files will also be kept on the backup server for a specified amount of time (configurable). If you want to you can be very specific about retention of files (i.e. daily keep for 7 days, weekly keep for 4 weeks, monthly keep for 12 months or keep all backups for 30 job runs - whichever suites you best).

The software also allow local copies to be taken at the same time should you require both offsite backup and onsite as well.

Drop me a PM if you are interested.