backup solutions?

[JCROCCO]

I have a PTP network, looking to move from old backup storage device to something better and more reliable that must be AUTOMATED as well.

Would like to backup over the net automatically, if possible.

Dont mind paying monthly fees as required.

Are there any services out there that do this?

Also, or in leui of, I can do this from home, with an extra PC and backup via a VPN tunnel. Can a VPN connection be made automatically through a program and run a backup program.

Using WinXP PRO OS PTP, and backup up only 20gig or less.

Any help is really appreciated.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

If you're planning on backing up 20 gigabytes over any sort of Internet connection, plan on spending A LOT OF TIME doing the backup! 20 gigabytes on a 3mbit connection comes in at around 18 hours...

 

[bolsen]

Agreed.

What's wrong with tape? You could get an autoloader. That way it'd be automated.

 

[JCROCCO]

what is a 3 mbit connection?

we are on SDSL with 208/192 kbps speed.

 

[bolsen]

In simple terms, you have too much data to backup over the net. The backup would never finish.

 

[JCROCCO]

Well, have Onstream Echo 30 gig tape backup drive now, but is very unreliable, and so was our last backup tape drive.

Any other options? Maybe I can backup all changed files daily over the net, and do just 1 weekly in house on tape.

any suggestions on hardware.

 

[groovin]

offsite remote backups of 20GB will take lots of time as mentioned. you can only only save changed files and copy the data to the backup server by other means prior to setting this up so u dont have to wait a week for the first backup to complete.

i was setting up rsync on 2 linux machines to synchronize files on two different servers. if you were using linux machines, rsync would be what u need. it sends the data via ssh so its secure and encrytped.

there is a windows version floating around http://optics.ph.unimelb.edu.au/help/rsync/rsync_pc1.html

but it might be a pain to set up.

if u have the budget, just get a tape drive. sony AIT/DAT drives are pretty good. i think you can get a sony dat drive for a few hundred bucks. try looking on ebay as well.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
what is a 3 mbit connection? we are on SDSL with 208/192 kbps speed.

I have a Comcast 3mbit connection, it's 3000/256, and your backup would take 18 hours. For a connection that's less than 10% as fast, it would take around 200 hours! Get the picture?

I have clients in similar situations, several of them are using USB 2.0 hard disks in whatever rotation makes them feel comfortable, I recommend at least three. You'll pay about $500-600 for three 120gig USB 2.0 hard disks, and they'll be able to backup your data in a reasonable time. For off-site backup, just stick the latest backup in your briefcase and take it with you.

Forget about the Internet for backup, it's not practical.