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Offsite Computer Backup Service
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Dec 24, 2021 09:17:03   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Bayou wrote:
It's all about the recovery. Most people don't ever need to recover, and they don't test it.

Be sure do a large scale test recovery to see how well, or not, it works. Carbonite is famous for poor recovery speeds. With the amount of data some photographers create, this can be crucial. Look for a company that will ship recovery data to you on a disk if you have multiple TBs of data.

Be 100% sure that your cloud backup service offers HISTORICAL VERSIONS of your backed up files, and not just for 30 days like some, but forever. Your local backup software should also keep historical versions. If you don't understand the significance of this, I suggest a bit of research. Any backup regimen that fails to keep historical versions is no protection at all against ransomware, which is becoming increasingly common. There are other scenarios where historical versions are needed, as well.

Too many people think they're backed up, but haven't tested recovery, and don't have historical versions. Do your homework.
It's all about the recovery. Most people don't ev... (show quote)


👍👍 Completely agree on both counts - testing your backup/restore strategy (restore is the key word) and versioning/“snapshots” of the file system. Previous versions or snapshots can save your a$$ if you’re attacked - just roll back the FS to a previous point in time. BTW, versioning is available locally as well in Windows - Google VSS (volume shadow copy service).

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Dec 24, 2021 09:37:31   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Which service let you down?

Everything you have backed-up in the cloud should be on two hard drives at home, at a minimum.

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Dec 24, 2021 09:51:25   #
dadamia Loc: Portland, OR
 
I have used SpiderOak for many years. I have had a few problems, but none resulted in loss of data. SpiderOak support has been great.

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Dec 24, 2021 11:00:23   #
Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL
 
wiz302pa wrote:
I recently experienced problems with the offsite computer backup service I have used for the past 7 years. In my case this relates to about 3Tb of data.

Would be interested in services the Hogs may be using: both the good and bad news.


I use Backblaze on all my computers for several years and have never looked back. Highly recommend it.
I also have pics all backed up on two hard and one ssd drive!

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Dec 24, 2021 11:40:19   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
dadamia wrote:
I have used SpiderOak for many years. I have had a few problems, but none resulted in loss of data. SpiderOak support has been great.


SpiderOak? Really?

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Dec 24, 2021 13:19:36   #
wiz302pa Loc: Henderson, NV
 
Thanks to all responses - very helpful.

My primary issue today is how to upload my data without exceeding my monthly 1.28Tb data allocation from my internet provider. I could buy an unlimited data package for $50 for one month but preferred not to.

Therefore, I decided to use a service that will ship me a drive to initially get my account setup before I start using it online. I initially thought of using Backblaze, but they do not do this. The cost of the drive and shipping is included as part of the service.

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Dec 24, 2021 13:59:15   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
wiz302pa wrote:
I recently experienced problems with the offsite computer backup service I have used for the past 7 years. In my case this relates to about 3Tb of data.

Would be interested in services the Hogs may be using: both the good and bad news.


Personally I would only ever use an offsite backup service as a backup to a backup....

In other words, the first backup is one sitting on my desk (which is periodically rotated out with another that I personally keep elsewhere).

An offsite service would then back those up.

Keep in mind that an "offsite backup service" or "cloud storage" = "someone else's computer". Whatever you call it, it's simply another computer belonging to someone else and outside your control. Yes, it's better than no backup at all. But what if something happens to the backup service? (As you're finding out.) There's also at least some risk during transfer of data to and from that offsite service, since you're using someone else's network to do so (aka, the Internet).

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Dec 24, 2021 14:22:19   #
Nikon1201
 
Very satisfied with Carbonite

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Dec 24, 2021 14:44:14   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
amfoto1 wrote:
Personally I would only ever use an offsite backup service as a backup to a backup....

In other words, the first backup is one sitting on my desk (which is periodically rotated out with another that I personally keep elsewhere).

An offsite service would then back those up.

Keep in mind that an "offsite backup service" or "cloud storage" = "someone else's computer". Whatever you call it, it's simply another computer belonging to someone else and outside your control. Yes, it's better than no backup at all. But what if something happens to the backup service? (As you're finding out.) There's also at least some risk during transfer of data to and from that offsite service, since you're using someone else's network to do so (aka, the Internet).
Personally I would only ever use an offsite backup... (show quote)


But it isn’t just someone else’s computer. A good major provider will keep 3-5 copies of your data at widely separated geographic sites for redundancy. Each of these sites is a secure, hardened, professionally managed data center with redundant storage, servers, networking and power. You are absolutely correct that it should be the “backup to your backup” - it’s a disaster recovery copy, but it has a level of reliability and data protection that you can never even approach at home, and if your home is destroyed, your data is safe and can be accessed from anywhere.

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Dec 24, 2021 14:53:39   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
amfoto1 wrote:
Personally I would only ever use an offsite backup service as a backup to a backup....

In other words, the first backup is one sitting on my desk (which is periodically rotated out with another that I personally keep elsewhere).

An offsite service would then back those up.

Keep in mind that an "offsite backup service" or "cloud storage" = "someone else's computer". Whatever you call it, it's simply another computer belonging to someone else and outside your control. Yes, it's better than no backup at all. But what if something happens to the backup service? (As you're finding out.) There's also at least some risk during transfer of data to and from that offsite service, since you're using someone else's network to do so (aka, the Internet).
Personally I would only ever use an offsite backup... (show quote)




Local backup is primary. Easy to restore.
Cloud backup is secondary. Restoration is bandwidth limited (or takes time for a disk to arrive with the data). It's for real disasters that toast your primary backup.

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Dec 24, 2021 14:59:54   #
edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho
 
I use Idrive. No problems or complaints.

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Dec 24, 2021 16:26:00   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
TriX wrote:
SpiderOak? Really?


"OakSpider" would be better. It sounds big and tough.

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Dec 24, 2021 17:45:41   #
Judy795
 
Backblaze. Got a quick download from them when I thought LR had eaten my file. User error.

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Dec 24, 2021 18:53:43   #
jimnyc1 Loc: New York, NY USA
 
I've used Carbonite and Backblaze successfully for years. I'm using only Backblaze now. I had a RAID power supply blow and Backblaze sent me all 4 TB on a USB drive within a couple of days. I had to give them a deposit on the drive but they promptly refunded it when I returned the drive.

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Dec 24, 2021 18:55:45   #
lbarnett25 Loc: Baldwinsville, NY
 
I’ve used Carbonite for several years and for a year iDrve. Went back to carbonate because it’s so easy to use and keeps you apprised of backup status. Will never consider another service.

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