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Data Backup Media Options for Customers

Summary:

Customers are frequently enquiring about the best or recommended backup media that should be used to safeguard their data. Remember that with most of these options multiple media is required (multiple tapes/CDs, disks etc).


Steps:

OffSite Backup - Internet Based Solution - (Best Solution)

  • Pros: High Capacity (virtually no limit to the amount of data that can be backed up)
  • Pros: Easy to extract data files in case recovery is required
  • Pros: All data automatically stored Off Site
  • Pros: Can be fast for data transfer depending on your Internet connection speed
  • Pros: Do not require to purchase consumables (tapes, disks, DVD's, etc)
  • Pros: System designed for unattended backups
  • Cons: Can be expensive since the cost is based on the amount of data you require to back up.
  • Cons: Require a Hi Speed Internet connection

Removable Hard Drive - USB Hard Drive - (2nd Best Solution)
  • Pros: High Capacity (80GB => 200GB)
  • Pros: Easy to extract data files in case recovery is required
  • Pros: Portable
  • Pros: Can be fast for data transfer depending on the connection used between hard drive and computer
  • Pros: Connect through USB or fire wire
  • Pros: can use Software for unattended backups or can interact with backup process
  • Cons: Sensitive to shock or can easily be damaged.
  • Cons: Can be expensive since you would need several drives (Each drive between $100 => $200) in order to facilitate proper data retention and backup redundancy.

Tapes
  • Pros: Large data storage capacity (20GB => 80GB or more)
  • Pros: Very fast
  • Pros: Software allows for unattended backups
  • Pros: Backup sets can be created to backup entire hard drive or selected files/folders
  • Cons: Takes long to catalog tape for data recovery when required
  • Cons: Can be expensive (Tape Backup Unit $300 => $1200+, Tapes $20 => $50 each, require apprx 7 tapes to start)

DVD's
  • Pros: 4.5 GB Capacity, enough to store ABELDent database and program files
  • Pros: Easy to extract data files in case recovery is required
  • Pros: Portable
  • Pros: Inexpensive (DVD writer approximately $150, DVDs approximately $2 each)
  • Cons: Limited to only 4.5 GB of space
  • Cons: Slow to burn files
  • Cons: Software does not allow for unattended backups, must interact with backup process
  • Cons: Performs a copy process more than a backup. Customers tend to easily perform backup incorrectly if not following procedure properly (Resulting in data being cut from hard drive and not copying)
  • Cons: Requires an understanding on the part of the backup operator of what data needs to be backed up and where it is located. This knowledge must be passed on the event of staff changes.
  • Cons: Can't copy OS (Operating System) files of System files to a DVD

CD Rom's
Not recommended
  • Pros: Easy to extract data files in case recovery is required
  • Pros: Portable
  • Pros: Inexpensive (CD writer approximately $50, CDs approximately $0.50 each)
  • Cons: Limited to only 700mb of space. This capacity is only adequate for data only backups, the operating system applications, etc. will have to be excluded. In some practices even the data files will not fit on a 700MB CD.
  • Cons: Slow to burn files
  • Cons: Software does not allow for unattended backups, must interact with backup process
  • Cons: Performs a copy process more than a backup. Customers tend to easily perform backup incorrectly if not following procedure properly (Resulting in data being cut from hard drive and not copying)
  • Cons: Requires an understanding on the part of the backup operator of what data needs to be backed up and where it is located. This knowledge must be passed on the event of staff changes.

USB Memory Sticks - Jump Drives
Not recommended
  • Pros: Easy to extract data files in case recovery is required
  • Pros: Portable
  • Cons: Expensive (approximately $100 - $150 each) 
  • Cons: Limited up to only 1GB of space
  • Cons: Software does not allow for unattended backups, must interact with backup process
  • Cons: Performs a copy process more than a backup. Customers tend to easily perform backup incorrectly if not following procedure properly (Resulting in data being cut from hard drive and not copying)
  • Cons: Low capacity, not going to get full hard drive backup
  • Cons: USB has to be properly stopped from system tray or it is easily broken
  • Cons: Not suited for the standard user due to difficulty and very specific steps required for use


Product (s): ABELDent
Category: Backups
Classification: Public
Date Created: 19 August 2004
Created by: ASH
 

Keywords: Data, Backup, Media, Options, Customers