Clound based storage - Home user

wildest_jjk · 20 Feb 2012 at 20:27

Cloud based storage - Home user

Hey guys,

I have an external hard drive that I use for backups. But its a pain and I use it for other computers as well. I like the sound of real time backups meaning I dont have to ever worry about it. I also like the idea of cloud storage as its offsite in case of problems.

What worries me is whether I can trust some of the small companies that provide cloud storage. What would you guys recommend for real time cloud based storage? Preferably ones that have a reputation and encryption would be nice as well.

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 20 Feb 2012 at 21:09

Thanks for the response. I was rather hoping for unlimited, but 1TB would be sufficient. Encryption would also be something I would need.

Are any of those you suggested suitable?

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 20 Feb 2012 at 22:27

Thanks for the response.

I guess I am more worried that its encrypted when its in the cloud? So people cannot access it.

Ill have a look at those, thanks

wildest_jjk · 20 Feb 2012 at 22:56

Thats a good idea, but in terms of the amount of data I am talking about (1TB) is that viable? If I am talking about real time updates I guess it wouldn't be possible anyway?

I have no idea so got to ask! What do you use to do that?

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 17:06

bremen1874 said:
Have you calculated how long it'll take to upload 1TB? Even if you've got sufficient upstream bandwidth some of the cloud providers will limit the available bandwidth (or they used to).

No I haven't calculated but surely that doesn't matter once it has been backed up the first time because it will only backup changes?

KIA said:
http://www.livedrive.com/ might be suitable.

Just had a look at it and that does look pretty good. Another one I have just found is this: http://www.carbonite.co.uk/

Another thing that I have thought of, is because it only backs up one PC, do you think it's possible to backup a laptop to the PC first? So that both will then get backed up?

Thanks for the responses

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 17:45

Thanks for the response. Thats a bit ridiculous then! My upload speed is only 1Mbps anyway at the moment.

But if they cap it as well (which it is clear they do) then it will take a ridiculous amount of time!

Thanks for pointing that out, don't know what to do now!

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 19:28

Thanks for the response.

Do they provide encryption? How much do you pay for it?

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 19:56

Is it a reputable company? I can't see it mentioned on many websites.

Thanks for the help

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 20:14

That definitely helps! So in comparison to carbonite, its cheaper and doesn't throttle the connection? Am I missing something??

Thanks!

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 20:50

So it is sounding like backblaze then, I almost went with carbonite originally! As I spoke about earlier I am going to backup my laptop to my desktop first so that backblaze will technically backup my laptop files as well. In another thread somebody suggested SyncToy to me. This looks pretty good and I think it will do everything I need in terms of synchronizing. It can be found here for anybody interested:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=15155

Although does backblaze allow multiple devices? I know carbonite doesn't.

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 22:15

Thanks for the response. So am I going about this the right way? Does anybody else have more than one device that needs backing up? If I go with backblaze I do not really want to pay more for an extra device.

My solution is to use a file synchronization tool such as SyncToy and then sync my laptop files so that they are always on my desktop. It would not be the other way though my desktop would have the laptops file but the laptop would not have all of my other desktop files.

This would get around having to pay extra a month and would just backup my desktop, but it just seems a long way of doing it. What do you guys say?

Thanks.

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 22:56

Thanks for the responses. After some checking 1TB is extremely excessive as it includes quit a lot of films which would not need backing up. So with some deleting of rubbish and looking at practicality I could get it down to about 200GB.

I know its quite a bit different but since reading what everyone has said I no way need to backup all 1TB or data. So hopefully this would be more appropriate?

Slyman one of the main reasons I want to go with this solution is because it runs in the background. How come it takes a while? Thats a real pain if it does!!!

Thanks everyone.

wildest_jjk · 21 Feb 2012 at 23:27

So if it schedules the files while the computer is on but is switched off before they can be backed up. Will they be backed up immediately on restart?

Thanks.

wildest_jjk · 22 Feb 2012 at 16:00

Thanks for all of the responses. I have just installed synctoy on my laptop to back it up to my desktop. However would it be better to back up my laptop to an external hard drive connected to my desktop?

I wanted to create system images of both my laptop and computer as well and store these on the external hard drive. Backblaze can apparently backup external drives as well. This way my laptop files would not interfere with the ones on my desktop. Not that I am sure it would, but just in case.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 22 Feb 2012 at 20:21

Anybody got any idea about my previous post?

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 22 Feb 2012 at 21:20

KIA said:
It won't make much difference. It might be wise backing up to the external drive if the backup is big and you have limited space on the main drive.

Thank you for the response. The main reason I asked is because I was worried that as soon as I sync my laptop files to a folder on my PC, they might affect it. Programs might read the files etc.

I have no issue with hard drive space but it was more the fact that system image files are quite large as well.

But from the sounds of it, it's fine to sync all files and system images to my desktop and upload it to backblaze

wildest_jjk · 23 Feb 2012 at 11:14

Thankyou for the response. One final thing would backblaze store system images? Should I just use the standard windows program? Or are there any programs that will automate the process, similar to backblaze so either when there has been program changes or just constantly create them.

Thanks

wildest_jjk · 23 Feb 2012 at 12:35

Probably not I am just thinking of the best process to do. I have an external hard drive which I guess I could save the image files for my laptop and desktop to. Then I just use backblaze for all of my files. Would that be better?

wildest_jjk · 23 Feb 2012 at 13:33

KIA said:
Sounds good, at least until you get a faster connection (FTTC, etc).

Which won't be long either providing O2 hurry up and release it! Else I am going with BT Infinity

Thanks again.

wildest_jjk · 23 Feb 2012 at 21:23

KIA said:
Sounds good, at least until you get a faster connection (FTTC, etc).

And in fact KIA you have made me realise! What is the point in buying and uploading to backblaze now when I am upgrade to FTTC in a month or two. This will give me about 7 times the upload speed I have now!

Thanks everybody