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Online Backup vs. Tape Backup?

Posted by Cliff on from the which-would-you-use-today? dept.

hashbox asks: "I work for a small non-profit (about 100 staff members) and management has decided that they want to use an online data backup system instead of our existing tape backup system. After a meeting with one of the many vendors providing this service, I must admit that I am impressed with the promise of the technology (ease of use etc). However the sysadmin side of me has a few reservations. Has anyone here on Slashdot used an online backup service, and what were your experiences?"

7 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Keep the tapes. by Jamesie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Even if you go with an online service you should do some form of local backup. What happens if you lose your connection? This sort of service is perhaps best treated as an offsite backup.

    1. Re:Keep the tapes. by nocomment · · Score: 4, Insightful

      agreed. We do some remote backup (although on our own network), and connectivity can be an issue. one of our systems backs up 40 gigs per night. Could you imagine trying an online storage system for that? Besides, what if the remote system was compomised and your data got out? I'd ask about security of the systems (if the system is visible to you, it's visible to the bad guys), and secure transfers (ssh tunnel?) that way simple packet sniffers can't get your data. I'd be scared to transfer over our own network if it was using hubs, I'd be terrified of backing up online to another company.

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  2. Bandwidth limitation and other concerns by mhw25 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Bandwidth and the state of the internet as a whole can compromise this solution. You don't want to lose your insurance at precisely the moment when you need it the most, for example during the slammer attack.

    The popularity of both Storage Area Networks and Network Attached Storages somehow seems to show that most organisations prefers to keep backup within their own control. And tapes are dirt cheap on today's standards.

    Both tapes and solid state solutions can be have cheaply and some have great user friendliness. You get excellent bandwidth thrown in as well.

    The only upside I can think of for online storage is that it is truely redundant, that is you will not lose your backups in event of a fire or other calamities.

    But bear in mind that vendors do have the tendency to promise you the earth and deliver pebbles.

  3. It depends... by saden1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you are talking about 20 to 50 gig of data and monthly backup then I'd say this isn't a bad idea but if you are talking 100+ gig and weekly back then this is definitely a bad idea. You also have to factor in the security of your data while it's being transported, the time it takes to backup and the overall cost of your bandwidth use. Also, a year from now you might need to backup a lot more data so factor that in.

    If you ask me it is not worth the trouble, you are better of investing in your own backup system.

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    One is born into aristocracy, but mediocrity can only be achieved through hard work.
  4. Watch those terms... by lynx_user_abroad · · Score: 5, Insightful
    You're not really in the market for a backup system; you're in the market for a restore system. It's worthless unless you can reliably get the files back.

    Spend some time thinking about the circumstances under which you might need a restore service; how often, how quickly, how to verify it works, etc. This may help to clarify the issues for you.

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    The thing about things we don't know is we often don't know we don't know them.

  5. Roll your own... by arrow · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think a better option would be to roll your own.

    Standard PC components are insanely cheap these days. Get a 4U box, chuck it full of lots of IDE drives, an IDE RAID controller or two, and Linux. Then toss samba + tar + bzip2 + yyyrsa + rsync on a local box.

    Said 4U could be located at a remote office (if you have one), or possibly find another business who would be willing to swap remote storage devices with you. If all else fails, you can get colo for $50/mbps + space.

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  6. Take your pick by Slick_Snake · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We have used stand alone tape systems, automated remote tape libraries, and a network accessible backup storage array with raid. It has been my experience that any backup system will work as long as the person responsible for the backups is making sure that they happen. I have seen several occations were one of "automated" backup systems failed and no one seemed to notice until a restore was needed. The key is making sure that the backups are happenning in the first place.