| Q. |
What types of online backups are there?
|
A.
|
To most computer users nowadays, online backup means remote backup services, where you pay a company to store your backups on their servers.
However, the term ‘online backups’ also refers to secondary storage systems such as disk arrays, and ‘online’ merely means that the backup system is actively hooked up to be used automatically and could be sitting in the room next to the computers it’s supposed to back up.
In both cases, access to the stored data is convenient and easy. However, remote access gets your data offsite, while secondary storage could be destroyed right along with your computers in the event of a disaster.
|
| |
| |
 |
|
| Q. |
How do online (remote) backup services work?
|
A.
|
Basically, you are renting space on a server and can upload anything you want as long as it’s not in violation of the company’s terms of service.
The online backup company gives you software for you to install on the computer(s) you want backed up. Using this software, you can choose the files you want it to store, create a schedule and so forth. Once you’ve set it up , the software automatcally takes care of managing the uploads, including doing the encryption and compression of the data.
Your data is then transferred across the Internet to another location where it is saved. Using this software, you can also view the remote data as well as get it back in case you have a crash or other problem that requires you to actually use your backed up data.
|
| |
| |
|
|
| Q. |
What are the benefits of online (remote) backup services?
|
A.
|
Perhaps the primary benefit is related to backup security. You don’t have to remember to take your backups (or at least a copy) offsite. For example if you backup your home computer to an external hard drive and there’s a fire in your home, your data would be lost, as the external drive is attached directly to your computer. If your computer is destroyed, you can bet the external drive will be too. This could prove to be deadly for your important personal and business files. So much for having a backup.
Another benefit is that you can easily access your data remotely without having to set up any sort of remote access to your home or work computer which can be a confusing task.
And the best part of backing up offsite... it works automatically once you have installed the software, which rarely takes more than a few minutes. Offsite backup services give you and your business piece of mind in knowing that your data is safe in case of disaster. |
| |
| |
|
|
| Q. |
What are the downsides of online (remote) backup services?
|
A.
|
One of the most common problems in online backup is the time it takes for the data to transfer over the Internet. Even for a PC with a dedicated DSL or Cable line, it can take a day or more if you’re running a full backup. This means you need to be connected and using your bandwidth for a long period of time. Some offsite software might not be prepared for the common occurence of internet connection drop-outs.
Luckily there are several ways to get past this downfall.
When looking for an offsite backup service, you should make sure that it employs either byte level or block level incremental backups.
Other important features that many remote backup services are missing is common file elimination (CFE). With CFE, the same file is never backed up twice. For example, a file may be backed up on every computer across your network. You'd want to use only 1 * the file size instead of [num computers] * the file size.
A third important feature that might be right for you if you are a business user is the ability to span backups over multiple days, and the ability to export data that can be sent to your offsite backup provider who can later import it.
|
| |
| |
|
|
| Q. |
Are online (remote) backup service fees worth it?
|
A.
|
Online backup fees vary widely, as do the services they provide. You need to decide what you want from an online backup service and what you are willing to pay for it.
For example, while price is obviously going to be a consideration, what about reliability? What about encryption of your data? What about the amount of data you can store? Or percentage of backed up data you can download at any one time? (Yes, some companies limit that, but what happens if your system crashes?).
If you want online backup services such as email archiving and real time backups, make sure that the company offering the online backup solution has a powerful backup solution. These features are available but will most likely be more expensive.
Take strong consideration in the cleanup options, as well as the automated cleanup options. Some online backup services have no automated cleanup options, and hence you will be paying for more stored data than you need to.
Also make sure that your online backup software allows incremental block level or byte level backups. A 5 GB account will go a lot further that way in comparison to a 5GB account that does not provide incremental backups at the byte/block level. |
| |
| |
|
|
| Q. |
Are online (remote) backup services secure?
|
A.
|
Generally, yes. Many services provide 128-bit encryption as well as amazingly secure storage facilities.
There are 2 different ways that an online backup company can encrypt your data. The first encrypts your data before leaving your computer and decrypts it when arriving at the destination. This keeps your data safe when transfering the data over the Internet.
The second type will encrypt your data before leaving the local computer, and will leave it encrypted once it arrives on the remote data storage. This keeps your data safe in transit, as well as once it arrives on the server.
Make sure that your online backup company does at least the second method.
The fact of the matter is, while there are numerous reputable firms out there, due diligence on your part is still necessary before entrusting your data to any online service. |
| |
| |
|
|