I was on the verge of subscribing to Carbonite to backup files when I happened upon Amazon reviews, filled with horror stories of not being able to effectively restore after full system failures. So I performed Google search on restore problems and found more such tales. So I tried Google regarding Mozy and found similar complaints. Granted, one squeaky wheel can sound pretty loud, but both systems seem to generate complaints when large restores are required.
Do any of you have experience with these services, particularly in restoring many gigs of data? I have been doing manual external hard drive backups but thought I needed something better.
I don't have experience with online backup, but it's worth noting that unless you're on a special internet line (like at a university), upload speeds are horrendously slow. So if you get out and shoot a lot, it's actually possible your rate of adding new material will be faster than your computer can upload images to the server even if working day and night.
Even computer/network experts I know suggested the best way is to keep three copies: one active hard drive, one regular backup next to the active one, and one offsite drive. Every 1-2 weeks you can switch the local and offsite drive, so you'll never lose more than 1-2 weeks even if both hard drives get lost. And you don't have to rely on any 3rd party companies or deal with online backup.
I used to recommend Carbonite based on the experiences of people I know personally, but I have now reversed my position - any backup service that has anything but stellar reviews is just not worth the risk. Triple copies is a good idea, as is RAID, since you will be able to tolerate some degree of hardware failure without data loss. Of course, if you plan to do RAID you need to stay away from the consumer-grade el cheapo hard drives - they are just not built to last. You will be best served by installing enterprise-level hard drives which are manufactured to a higher quality standard from a performance and failure rate perspective. The extra money is money well-spent. Also, consider organizing your file copying with a product like Syncback from twobrightlights.com - it makes things substantially easier.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on April 7, 2010 at 12:59 PM
After looking at a bunch of both consumer and magazine/website reviews, I went with Backblaze over Carbonite and Mozy. So far no need for a restore, so can't comment on that. Set up was easy but the initial online backup took the whole two-week free trial period.
http://www.backblaze.com/
I've been using Jungle Disk for several years. JD stores your files on Amazon's secure servers (S3). It isn't free like some other services, but it is very secure and very price competitive. I think it's $.15/GB per month, plus some minor additional fees that depend on your use.
That being said, Floris makes an excellent point regarding upload speed. Uploads can take a really, really long time, unless you have access to a very fast pipe. I generate about 5 GB of data per month, and that's just too much to deal with on my measly little DSL line. If you do choose to go the Amazon S3 route, you can actually mail Amazon a hard drive(s) with all your data to make the initial backup, instead of bogging down your system for weeks on end. No joke, if your initial data set is substantial, you might literally be uploading files 24/7 for a month straight!
I had gotten to the point where I was storing in excess of 100 GB online, and the costs just didn't make sense when you consider the price of hard drives. I continue to use online backup for my email (automatically each night) and my most important master image files, but that is all, about 5 GB total, which costs less than a $1/month. For everything else, I have a constantly rotating set of three external hard drives, two of which are always stored off site in my office. This is a pretty robust backup system that is very cost effective and easy to implement/manage.
BTW, I am very paranoid when it comes to backing up data. I also keep a 4th hard drive at my parents' place, who live in Los Angeles (I live in San Diego). I swap that HD out every ~12 months, and I consider it to be my "in the event of nuclear holocaust backup". I know what you're thinking... if San Diego goes, what are the odds that I'll still be alive to care?
One other thing, now that you've got me thinking about this! I think that a basic RAID setup on your computer is probably the most important thing you can do, first and foremost. A RAID setup ensures that all your files are immediately and automatically backed up, requiring absolutely no effort on your part and without any time delay. A RAID does not protect against fire or theft, but it does protect against hard drive failure, which is likely to happen to all of us at some point.
I agree with Jason: A RAID-1 (mirroring) would be a good way to go. You'll need a second drive equal in size to your primary drive and either a hardware (best) or software RAID controller. This could get expensive.
An alternative is to purchase a second drive and use disk cloning software (Acronis True Image is excellent) and clone your primary drive to the new drive. An external drive can be used for back up and kept off-site.
I had a RAID-0 drive failure in February. I had to reinstall my OS and programs. Fortunately, I had all my documents, images, and Outlook pst files, and such backed up. So, a word to the wise: Back up, back up, backup; because it's not a case of if a drive fails...it's a case of when a drive fails!
I don't recommend on-line back up services primarily because of the lengthy upload times. Also, you have zero control over what they do to their servers, and, unless you encrypt all your data, there may be a security risk. Remember that all data transmitted over the Internet is routed through many different servers as it goes from your machine to the final destination. If the data is not encrypted, or the servers are not 'secure servers', there's a risk.
Also remember that technically, RAID IS NOT a full backup system. It's a mirror. So if you accidentally delete a file, screw it up, or encounter corruption, a RAID won't help you recover. It's a disaster recovery, real-time update system - not a full backup scheme.
Thanks to all for helping me steer clear of a system that would have been mega-frustration! I have just started working with a new computer and it includes mirrored RAID, so I have made one good choice, so far. I see now that the multiple external hard drive solution is the best for me, but I will need to gain more discipline in using it properly. Thanks again.
Posted by Ernie Atkins on April 10, 2010 at 2:04 PM
I recently backed up 300 GB of images using Backblaze. I had tried the same using Mozy and wasted a lot of time on that site. The Backblaze backup went very well - it took about 20 days of upload time but the app makes it easy to start/stop at your whim so that wasn't a problem at all. I am paying $5/month for this service so the price can't be beaten. I have not yet (knock on wood) had to consider any restore options and, yes, that is a scary prospect. However I, like everyone else, have USB hard drive back-ups. I use the very easy (& free) SyncToy app from Microsoft for the USB hard drive back ups. I'm a big fan of keep it simple and have had very bad experience with RAID systems. I have no problem doing an immediate back up as part of my initial image download into Lightroom.
Discussion
10 repliesDo any of you have experience with these services, particularly in restoring many gigs of data? I have been doing manual external hard drive backups but thought I needed something better.
Is online backup just a "pie in the sky" concept?
Even computer/network experts I know suggested the best way is to keep three copies: one active hard drive, one regular backup next to the active one, and one offsite drive. Every 1-2 weeks you can switch the local and offsite drive, so you'll never lose more than 1-2 weeks even if both hard drives get lost. And you don't have to rely on any 3rd party companies or deal with online backup.
http://www.backblaze.com/
I've been using Jungle Disk for several years. JD stores your files on Amazon's secure servers (S3). It isn't free like some other services, but it is very secure and very price competitive. I think it's $.15/GB per month, plus some minor additional fees that depend on your use.
That being said, Floris makes an excellent point regarding upload speed. Uploads can take a really, really long time, unless you have access to a very fast pipe. I generate about 5 GB of data per month, and that's just too much to deal with on my measly little DSL line. If you do choose to go the Amazon S3 route, you can actually mail Amazon a hard drive(s) with all your data to make the initial backup, instead of bogging down your system for weeks on end. No joke, if your initial data set is substantial, you might literally be uploading files 24/7 for a month straight!
I had gotten to the point where I was storing in excess of 100 GB online, and the costs just didn't make sense when you consider the price of hard drives. I continue to use online backup for my email (automatically each night) and my most important master image files, but that is all, about 5 GB total, which costs less than a $1/month. For everything else, I have a constantly rotating set of three external hard drives, two of which are always stored off site in my office. This is a pretty robust backup system that is very cost effective and easy to implement/manage.
BTW, I am very paranoid when it comes to backing up data. I also keep a 4th hard drive at my parents' place, who live in Los Angeles (I live in San Diego). I swap that HD out every ~12 months, and I consider it to be my "in the event of nuclear holocaust backup". I know what you're thinking... if San Diego goes, what are the odds that I'll still be alive to care?
An alternative is to purchase a second drive and use disk cloning software (Acronis True Image is excellent) and clone your primary drive to the new drive. An external drive can be used for back up and kept off-site.
I had a RAID-0 drive failure in February. I had to reinstall my OS and programs. Fortunately, I had all my documents, images, and Outlook pst files, and such backed up. So, a word to the wise: Back up, back up, backup; because it's not a case of if a drive fails...it's a case of when a drive fails!
I don't recommend on-line back up services primarily because of the lengthy upload times. Also, you have zero control over what they do to their servers, and, unless you encrypt all your data, there may be a security risk. Remember that all data transmitted over the Internet is routed through many different servers as it goes from your machine to the final destination. If the data is not encrypted, or the servers are not 'secure servers', there's a risk.
--P
--P
Ernie