Posts Tagged ‘remote backup’

Why should I backup to “the cloud” – I’d prefer to have my data at home!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The best way to protect your data is to have one copy at home and (at least) one copy elsewhere.

When you only backup to a disk at home, or a DVD, and you leave it next to your computer, in case of fire or theft of your machine – then you have lost both the machine, and the backup.

If you backup over to the internet (into the cloud) then you can be sure that there’s always a copy of your data in case disaster strikes.

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Remote backup

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

A remote, online, or managed backup service is a service that provides users with a system for backing up and storing computer files. Online backup systems are typically built around a client software program that runs on a schedule, typically once a day (or in 77backup case : every 4 hours).

This type of program collects, compresses, encrypts, and transfers the data to the remote backup service provider’s servers. Servers that are generaly mirrored in order to ensure a 100% availability.

Remote backup has a lot of advantages :

  • Remote backup does not require user intervention. The user does not have to change tapes, label CDs or perform other manual steps. He or she only has to set up the software… and forget about it !
  • Remote backup maintains data offsite. Backups are stored in a different location from the original data. Think about Katrina in New Orleans… having a backup in the basement was of no use in that case (think about : fire, earthquake, .
  • Unlimited data retentions
  • Remone backup services will work continuously, backing up files as they are changed (most of them).
  • Most remote backup services will use a 128 - 512 bit encryption to send data over unsecured links (ie internet) – At 77backup, we use 512 bit encryption, that what is used by banks and the military.
  • A few remote backup services can reduce backup by only transmitting changed binary data bits

But remote backup has some disadvantages:

  • Depending on the available network bandwidth, the restoration of data can be slow (and si can be the first backup).
  • You need an internet connection to backup your data.
  • If encryption password is lost, no more data recovery will be possible (but it garantees the privacy of your data, the service provider can’t read your files)

As a conclusion, remote backup is a very good solution for hassle free backup. The cost is generaly small, especially compared to the troubles taht can be avoided.

77backup is a pure remote backup service, with near real time backup, powerful encryption…

Loosely based on wikipedia - (Donate)

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