Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: tived on July 30, 2006, 07:21:40 am

Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: tived on July 30, 2006, 07:21:40 am
Hi guys,

before it is too late I need to work out a backup solution besides using raid 1 drive setups, one of these days it will bite me, so what is the prefered software and hardware solution....that is also price effective and userfriendly

thanks

Henrik
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: jecxz on July 30, 2006, 08:13:13 am
I recommend a Rev Drive, which is a 35GB disk/cartridge. It's made by Iomega and they claim if you use their software you can get up to 70GB on a disk. You can purchase 4 disks for about $180 and a USB drive is about $340.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: Jonathan Wienke on July 30, 2006, 08:52:21 am
Or you can get a USB drive enclosure for maybe $50, a 250GB hard drive for less than $150, and have twice the storage for half the money in a non-proprietary format. For an extra $40 or so, you can get a removable tray adapter so that you can easily swap out multiple drives in and out of a single enclosure, further reducing cost per MB. Proprietary storage formats like Zip drives have a short life span, and are extremely not recommended for archival use.

Does anyone remember the SparQ drive?
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: Tim Gray on July 30, 2006, 10:39:42 am
I'm with Jonathan here.  Keep with the main stream formats.  2 USB hard drives (unless you're getting into terabyte ranges) are probably the best bet - with one kept off site.   I've had CDs go unreadable after a couple of years.

Regardless of the format (and this is why I prefer HDs) one element of the backup process that I think most folks ignore is to attempt a recover periodically.  You need to make sure that both versions are truly recoverable every now and then, but probably no less than annually.  If you've got a couple of hundred cd's that's a pita and with today's mega files, dvd's are still a hassel.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: tived on July 30, 2006, 11:56:59 am
Quote
I'm with Jonathan here.  Keep with the main stream formats.  2 USB hard drives (unless you're getting into terabyte ranges) are probably the best bet - with one kept off site.   I've had CDs go unreadable after a couple of years.

Regardless of the format (and this is why I prefer HDs) one element of the backup process that I think most folks ignore is to attempt a recover periodically.  You need to make sure that both versions are truly recoverable every now and then, but probably no less than annually.  If you've got a couple of hundred cd's that's a pita and with today's mega files, dvd's are still a hassel.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72145\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


thanks guys,

I got external drives and all that, but what about software that backs up your stuff as you add to your disk, perhaps I am getting a bit anal here, thinking of an almost real time backup, but not quite.
I remember reading somewhere that a software would keep track of new created files and would add them to the backup as they were created, now I may not need this.

I am getting more and more clients work on my systems and though all their work is on raid 1's or raid 10 then it is still a concern. I have had a couple of powerfailures lately and needless to say is getting abit concerned. am I over doing it?  

I guess I would like something that would actually back up for me ;-) like an extra insurance, (insurance, the one, that expires just before you need it! ohh, no that is warranty    )

anyone heard of Retrospect ? backup software?

thanks for the input so far guys, much appreciated

Henrik
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: jecxz on July 30, 2006, 12:09:47 pm
As far as external hard drives go, they are an excellent way to increase storage capacity.

When you said backup, I took it to mean a secondary copy of your files--as in protection against data loss, as opposed to an expansion of storage space as suggested by other posts--which I think is also an excellent solution because files are immediately accessible.

I use Retrospect on 13 servers in the office and I have personally used BackupExec. Of the two, Retrospect is an excellent product and it can perform incremental backups (new or modified files) and it works with a wide variety of media. It is fast and easy to use. Retrospect also performs compression and it is fast.

We keep our backup tapes and drives off site (safe deposit box). We have a rotating set of tapes (about 10 weeks worth) just in case. Good luck.

Quote
thanks guys,

I got external drives and all that, but what about software that backs up your stuff as you add to your disk, perhaps I am getting a bit anal here, thinking of an almost real time backup, but not quite.
I remember reading somewhere that a software would keep track of new created files and would add them to the backup as they were created, now I may not need this.

I am getting more and more clients work on my systems and though all their work is on raid 1's or raid 10 then it is still a concern. I have had a couple of powerfailures lately and needless to say is getting abit concerned. am I over doing it?  

I guess I would like something that would actually back up for me ;-) like an extra insurance, (insurance, the one, that expires just before you need it! ohh, no that is warranty    )

anyone heard of Retrospect ? backup software?

thanks for the input so far guys, much appreciated

Henrik
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72149\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: tived on July 30, 2006, 12:23:22 pm
thanks Derek,

would you recommend Retrospect?

as I understand it, it runs in the background and adds files and they are created, is that correct.

for backup I did mean a second copy! ;-) sorry if that  wasn't clear

Henrik
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: DarkPenguin on July 30, 2006, 12:38:20 pm
Some random thoughts.

I like Syncback SE (the free version) to copy to the external drives.  I tried microsoft's sync power toy but managed to set it up to sync my files to oblivion.  After checking my settings I'm still not sure how that happened.  Syncback just works.

I use roxio easy media creator to copy individual shoots to a dvd or two.  This is usually done right after downloading from CF and again after finishing work on the files.  Most recently I've had some double layer dvd's fail.  And some regular DVD-R's.  Buy quality DVD blanks.  Its only been the cheap DVDs that have failed on me.

I use NTI backup to do multi disk backup or to archive things I might be deleting off my local disk.  Not even using the current version.  I have NTI backup backed up to about 1/2 dozen places.  I will probably have to upgrade when Vista comes out.

I've never tried the full version of retrospect.  The inexpensive version was pretty limiting.  Worked fine, however.

NovaStore lost all my data.  (App err and it truncated a file.  That was the same restore where my HP tape drive failed.  And, as I think about it, my backup CD-Rs failed in the replacement CD drive.  I lost a lot of data that day.)
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: Tim Gray on July 30, 2006, 01:27:35 pm
I use the free Syncback as well.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: jecxz on July 30, 2006, 01:55:13 pm
Yes, I strongly recommend Retrospect. Running it in the background will definately slow down your system. Schedule it or start it when you leave the office or go to bed. If I recall correctly, there is an option in Retrospect to "mirror" files in one drive to another (in addition to incremental).

There are also a lot of great shareware and free software, as also mentioned above. However, considering how angry you'd feel if you lost data (which could happen with any software), you must always remember, you get what you pay for--as with everything.

I would also get the Rev drive and backup to it and move the disks off site--it seems to be easiest to use. Good luck.

Quote
thanks Derek,

would you recommend Retrospect?

as I understand it, it runs in the background and adds files and they are created, is that correct.

for backup I did mean a second copy! ;-) sorry if that  wasn't clear

Henrik
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72154\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: dmerger on July 30, 2006, 02:27:02 pm
I highly recommend MirrorFolder.  It does any type of back-up you'd want, real time or periodic.  It can even make a bootable back up of you "C" drive.  It’s very easy to use.  Only costs $39.  Great, prompt customer service, too.

http://www.techsoftpl.com/backup/ (http://www.techsoftpl.com/backup/)

Here is a review.  http://www.outbackphoto.com/computers_and_...p_02/essay.html (http://www.outbackphoto.com/computers_and_more/backup_02/essay.html)

I have no connection with MirrorFolder.  I'm just a very satisfied user.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: dmerger on July 30, 2006, 02:56:10 pm
Also, take a look at this thread.

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....0832&hl=dmerger (http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10832&hl=dmerger)

I ended up using MirrorFolder and a couple of regular SATA HDs that I install in my case when I need to up-date my back-ups, then remove them for safekeeping.  Installing HDs in my system is very easy, but may not be as easy for everyone.  Another option is a removable HD rack that you can install in a front bay of your case.

An advantage to my set-up is my back-up HDs perform just like any other internal HD.  Connection speed is not an issue.  

I can’t say if my solution will work for you, however, since you didn’t say if you use a PC or Mac.  MirrorFolder is PC only.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: DarkPenguin on July 30, 2006, 03:31:40 pm
Actually SyncBackSE is not free.  (Although I use the free version.)  Nothing else mention in this thread (other than the microsoft powertoy) is free.  That said, retrospec works fine.

I have to disagree with the Rev drive suggestion.  I'd go with multiple external usb/firewire drives before I'd go with a proprietary format.

Keeping them offsite is a good plan.  Or at least get one of the fireproof (er, resistant) boxes and put them in there.

Quote
Yes, I strongly recommend Retrospect. Running it in the background will definately slow down your system. Schedule it or start it when you leave the office or go to bed. If I recall correctly, there is an option in Retrospect to "mirror" files in one drive to another (in addition to incremental).

There are also a lot of great shareware and free software, as also mentioned above. However, considering how angry you'd feel if you lost data (which could happen with any software), you must always remember, you get what you pay for--as with everything.

I would also get the Rev drive and backup to it and move the disks off site--it seems to be easiest to use. Good luck.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72159\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: jjj on August 14, 2006, 12:11:06 pm
I've just been trying out Clone 2.1 http://newtonsoftware.co.uk/clone (http://newtonsoftware.co.uk/clone) and found it very handy. I was working away from home and needed to keep both my external hard drives identical whilst constantly adding files and working on Drive 1. You just set Clone to look at any folder [or several folders] on several hard drives and Clone keeps the same folders on different drives in Sync if anything is altered, added or deleted [use delete option carefully!] in original folders. No more overhead than copying the files by hand and a soooooo much less hassle.
You can set it to check and back up at user defined intervals or have it run manually. Simple and very, very effective
I found a slight bug where Windows thumbs.db file were not copied and mentioned it to the developer and a few days later it was updated.
Cheap too £20/$30! There's a trial version for those like me who are sceptical about software usability.
RAID is fine for security on one machine but for backing up to ext HDS/network HDS Clone is great.
jez
Oh and the best thing is there is no file formats to worry about, it simply copies your files and folders as they are so if Clone was to vanish off the planet, all your files are readable by Explorer. No propreity formats like other back up software I've used in the past.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: Nill Toulme on August 14, 2006, 12:42:48 pm
Henrik I use Folder Clone (http://www.folderclone.com/) (which sounds similar to several of the apps mentioned above) to do nightly updates to my external backup drives.  But I also use Breeze Downloader Pro (http://www.breezesys.com/Downloader/index.htm) to download from card to disk — one of its many useful features is the ability to make a redundant backup copy at the time of download.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net (http://www.toulme.net)
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: tived on August 14, 2006, 01:41:05 pm
thanks guys for the replies.  I am still scratching my head...almost hairless ;-) now.

just thinking of what I need. So I have 4-5 machines including laptops, they are all networked at some stage, via cable or wireless.

So I want to do scheduled backups but what if one of the machines are not connected, given that the software can backup network drives. Will any of these applications initiate backup if a machine is reconnected to the network but lets say later then the scheduled backup time and then starts to back up as the drives becomes available. Anyone else run into a situation like this...obviously for the truly lazy people who relies on automated workflow.

I had a play with Ghost today and it, or the version (10), didn't support backup via network drives - duh!

thanks for taking the time to help me sort this out, I hope there are others who will benefit from this

thanks

Henrik
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: jjj on August 14, 2006, 01:46:45 pm
If Clone is set to back up every 30 mins and a drive is not available it won't copy, same as any other prog. Not sure if it will do it on the next 30min cycle as I've not tried that variation yet. And if it doesn't, get in touch with Tim the guy who writes it and see if he can fix it. He fixed the bug I found pretty quickly.

Get it a trial version and test it.
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: dmerger on August 14, 2006, 02:22:27 pm
MirrorFolder will do what you want if you use a PC.  They also have a free demo.

I recommend, howver, if you are asking for help,  that you at least have enough consdideration to state whether you're using a Mac or PC.  Why you would want to waste the time and good will of people that are just trying to help you?
Title: what is the prefered backup solution...
Post by: tived on August 15, 2006, 10:06:18 am
My apology,

I am on PeeCee!
one Windows XP x64 and 4 windows xp pro x32

it would be great if one can specify on all systems what needs to be backed up and then do so, on a schedule, when the systems are least tasked.

thanks

Henrik