Is anyone using CrashPlan for cloud backup?
Sep 4, 2019 05:50:29 #
Hi All,
I recently had the unfortunate experience of an external hard drive failure. I have been using a 4TB G Drive with my iMac and now think it’s time to consider cloud storage as an additional line of defense against data loss. A fellow photographer friend recommended CrashPlan, which offers unlimited storage for $10 per month, so I decided to give it a try. The initial upload took almost 2 weeks with less than 1TB of data, so despite the company’s assurances to the contrary, I’m concerned that if I ever needed to restore files, it could take a really long time.
The reviews are not very good for this company, so I’m wondering if any fellow hogs have experience with it, or can recommend any other service you like. Thanks in advance for your help!
I recently had the unfortunate experience of an external hard drive failure. I have been using a 4TB G Drive with my iMac and now think it’s time to consider cloud storage as an additional line of defense against data loss. A fellow photographer friend recommended CrashPlan, which offers unlimited storage for $10 per month, so I decided to give it a try. The initial upload took almost 2 weeks with less than 1TB of data, so despite the company’s assurances to the contrary, I’m concerned that if I ever needed to restore files, it could take a really long time.
The reviews are not very good for this company, so I’m wondering if any fellow hogs have experience with it, or can recommend any other service you like. Thanks in advance for your help!
Sep 4, 2019 06:19:29 #
Sep 4, 2019 06:49:03 #
yssirk123 wrote:
BackBlaze works great for me, and is only $60 per year.
Thanks, I’ll take a look.
Sep 4, 2019 07:43:03 #
I use Carbonite.
Yes, transferring that much data over the internet will take a LOT of time,
especially if your router connection is encrypted, no matter what backup service you use.
Download may be faster as ISPs usually provide faster download speeds than upload speeds.
Yes, transferring that much data over the internet will take a LOT of time,
especially if your router connection is encrypted, no matter what backup service you use.
Download may be faster as ISPs usually provide faster download speeds than upload speeds.
Sep 4, 2019 08:20:54 #
Sep 4, 2019 17:50:35 #
juan_uy
Loc: Uruguay
Pat F 4119 wrote:
Hi All, br br I recently had the unfortunate exp... (show quote)
If a full restore is needed, several companies (CrashPlan included last time I checked) offer the option to mail you a hard drive with your data. Once you restore, you can send it back and get a refund. All of this if you live in USA I guess, I don't.
In the past when I evaluated cloud backup, CrashPlan was my number 1 option based on several factors. However, when I was ready to subscribe, they removed their more basic plan (that included a free option) to focus on the corporate/enterprise market. Taking that in consideration I decided to look for another option with the fear they would either severely increase the price of the cheapest end-user plan, or even divest it.
I ended up with Backblaze and I am very happy. Carbonite that was mentioned is also a very good option.
Sep 4, 2019 18:41:52 #
I use CrashPlan. It has served me well for a couple years now. Fortunately I have only had to restore a few files here and there, nothing substantial.
But my view of archiving is that (1) you should mix media (e.g. local hard drives plus cloud storage) and (2) the local storage is the primary storage, cloud storage is backup backup.
Local storage is relatively inexpensive and is very convenient. If you have to restore 1 TByte of stuff it will take you a few hours, not a few weeks. The disadvantage is that all archival systems require maintenance and distribution for safety. To distribute your hard drives you have to physically move them about, the further the better for safety, but the further the less convenient. Maintenance means replacement of aging equipment at the least. Another thing necessary is validation. If you back up a corrupted file, you will restore a corrupted file. Saving versions is one way to reduce that problem.
Cloud storage is limited by bandwidth, so large transfers will be slow. However, the cloud storage hardware is maintained by professionals and distributed in widely different locations. This would be important, for example if you normally stored one of your hard drives at a friends house a couple miles away but both you and your friend lived in Paradise, CA, where the entire town burned down.
Crashplan also has the option to save not only to the cloud but to a local disk. That means that if you have to do a large transfer after a non-disastrous incident, there is a local disk that has been updated at the same rate as the cloud storage (in my computer it updates every few minutes). I just added another disk to my desktop and use it as a dedicated archival storage.
But my view of archiving is that (1) you should mix media (e.g. local hard drives plus cloud storage) and (2) the local storage is the primary storage, cloud storage is backup backup.
Local storage is relatively inexpensive and is very convenient. If you have to restore 1 TByte of stuff it will take you a few hours, not a few weeks. The disadvantage is that all archival systems require maintenance and distribution for safety. To distribute your hard drives you have to physically move them about, the further the better for safety, but the further the less convenient. Maintenance means replacement of aging equipment at the least. Another thing necessary is validation. If you back up a corrupted file, you will restore a corrupted file. Saving versions is one way to reduce that problem.
Cloud storage is limited by bandwidth, so large transfers will be slow. However, the cloud storage hardware is maintained by professionals and distributed in widely different locations. This would be important, for example if you normally stored one of your hard drives at a friends house a couple miles away but both you and your friend lived in Paradise, CA, where the entire town burned down.
Crashplan also has the option to save not only to the cloud but to a local disk. That means that if you have to do a large transfer after a non-disastrous incident, there is a local disk that has been updated at the same rate as the cloud storage (in my computer it updates every few minutes). I just added another disk to my desktop and use it as a dedicated archival storage.
Sep 5, 2019 07:08:12 #
Yes, I have been using CrashPlan for several years. I like it. They used to send a 1tb seed drive to speed up the initial upload. I don’t think they do that anymore. I have over 2tb backing up daily. It’s fast after the initial upload as it only backs up the incremental differences. I get a message when it fails to back up, if I shut my computer off while traveling. I have two computers that back up to CP.
I also use two local disks as primary backups using goodsync. If something should go bad, I have two local copies and only need my cloud backup in the event of a local catastrophe or to access files when I am not home. I also use SugarSync to synchronize all of my computers for files outside of my photo and music files. They provide the option to save multiple versions in the event of ransomware attack.
I like CrashPlan.
I also use two local disks as primary backups using goodsync. If something should go bad, I have two local copies and only need my cloud backup in the event of a local catastrophe or to access files when I am not home. I also use SugarSync to synchronize all of my computers for files outside of my photo and music files. They provide the option to save multiple versions in the event of ransomware attack.
I like CrashPlan.
Sep 5, 2019 07:11:36 #
Actually I did have a minor problem with Crashplan last month. After a Win10 update it quit working. Updating the Crashplan program solved the problem.
That sort of problem could occur with any background program. But it was easily remedied.
That sort of problem could occur with any background program. But it was easily remedied.
Sep 5, 2019 07:26:38 #
They are also US based and the customer support has been very good.
Sep 5, 2019 08:48:30 #
Backblaze and Acronis here - the former for offline backups, the latter for local backups to a NAS.
Recently I needed to recover a file - easily done through Acronis but a failure through Backblaze.
When the Backblaze subscription expires I may use Acronis online too. Only downside is that it is more expensive.
Recently I needed to recover a file - easily done through Acronis but a failure through Backblaze.
When the Backblaze subscription expires I may use Acronis online too. Only downside is that it is more expensive.
Sep 5, 2019 10:36:33 #
Since IP download speed is typically substantially higher (mine is 5X), if you ever need to download the entire contents, it will be much faster. Also, you can download as a background task and continue working. Some cloud companies will provide you with a loaner HD with your data, and you may have the option of temporarily increasing your download speed in the event of a disaster - many localities now provide 1 Gb download speed.
Sep 5, 2019 11:02:45 #
You also need to be aware of volume of data when downloading - some ISPs have a 1TB limit beyond which additional data can be seriously expensive.
The better companies will have provision to provide you with a hard drive if (when) you need a full recovery.
The better companies will have provision to provide you with a hard drive if (when) you need a full recovery.
Sep 5, 2019 11:35:49 #
NCMtnMan
Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
I would suggest that you check out iDrive. If you have a lot of files that will take a long time to upload the first time, they have a no cost solution of sending you a hard drive to copy them to and return to them. They will then upload them to your account. I don't know if they still have the offer I took advantage of or not. But, because I was using a competitors service, I got a 5TB of space for a year at a cost of $5.95 or so. I have been happy with the product and service so far after 6 months.
Sep 5, 2019 13:57:30 #
You didn’t say how you access the internet. I have 1 GB upload and download at my ethernet port, but a wireless router will run slower. Do a speed test and find your weak spot.
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