I started a project to install a file backup system for my home systems. I have Windows, Linux and Mac systems on my home network with file types ranging from small text files to huge recording sessions. I didn’t want to spend a lot (or any) money on a solution but I recognized the value of the information on my network. If you are operating a business, these same thoughts and motivations should be crossing your mind.
I thought I would start by looking into a third party solution from Amazom called S3. S3 is an example of what is being called Cloud Computing. I must say, the pricing was attractive at less than a dollar per month. I used a free S3 tool to make storage and recovery easier called JetS3t. It is written in Java so it will run on many computers. The downside of this approach is that an Internet connection is required.
Keith Garner mentioned that he used the Amanda system running on a huge (but cheap) USB drive. Amanda can use either tapes or disk divided up as if they were tapes. Files are cached to disk before writing whether you are using real tapes or not. Caching in this manner is commonly found is commercially available (and expensive) backup solutions. Amanda runs the backups for CRT (so I know it has been running reliably for years) and is Open Source software too.
Before setlling on S3, I thought Amanda was worth a look. Earlier in the month, I received a gift card for BestBuy so I purchased a Maxtor 750G USB 2.0 drive which set me back about $100. Configuring Amanda appeared to be difficult, but turned out to be logical and straight forward. Amanda has a great Wiki with good “Howtos”. I didn’t try it, but there is a “HowTo” for S3 if you don’t want to buy a drive.
I have been running for a week now through a nightly “cron job”, and I have been branching out to other computers on my network. I think it will be some time until I max out 3/4 of a Terabyte. Although S3 was cheaper, the USB drive solution works nicely.
Maybe this spring, I’ll look into the Amanda/S3 option. This would be cheap (S3), advanced (Amanda) and would take all of my data off-site.
I use a drive back-up as well, but my concern with that is if someone steals your computer, they may also steal your back-up.
Security? Encryption of your personal data? Is any of this discussed in Amanda or Elasticdrive? Backup your personal and corporate data to S3 using a service/software that does not insure the safety and integrity of your data? Not very security conscious if you ask me… Look at http://www.jungledisk.com. Another S3 service that offers all the above, block level (delta) backups, easy config for Win/Mac/Linux/WHS, and very good granular security to insure the accessibility of your data that is within your control.
Security? Encryption of your personal data? Is any of this discussed in Amanda or Elasticdrive? Backup your personal and corporate data to S3 using a service/software that does not insure the safety and integrity of your data? Not very security conscious if you ask me… Look at http://www.jungledisk.com. Another S3 service that offers all the above, block level (delta) backups, easy config for Win/Mac/Linux/WHS, and very good granular security to insure the accessibility of your data is within your control.
Scott, Amanda can do encrypted backups as of Amanda 2.5 (which I think has been out forever.)
Mark,
Good day. This seemed to be the best way, and perhaps the only way to get in touch with you. No access was available via NAR, so I am giving this a try. Hopefully we can connect. I am involved in the early stages of planning for an QR code mobile initiative to develop a standard for the real estate market. MLS on a national basis is to be a component of the program. QR is emerging as a popular means to connect prospects with listings and agent profile information, yet it is for now home grown and lacks a central strategy. We would like to solve this. Thus, by email, or phone I would like to request a brief conversation regarding your perspective on the potential of such a program.
Best Regards,
-David Rogers 206.619.8145