Sunday, November 05, 2006
Back Pedaling on Apple Backup
Straight to the point, I'm now back-pedaling on Apple Backup.
In theory, and for some people, Apple's DotMac backup application Backup could be an acceptable solution for backing up computer files. A successful backup strategy is demanding, requiring a high level of confidence and reliability. Human factors are equally as important as the backup application itself.
I currently discourage use of DotMac for backing up Mac files for the following reasons:
The pro's use Retrospect Express (or Retrospect Backup) backup software from EMC/Dantz. Retrospect is not free and it's difficult to configure but it's the most reliable solution, in my view of the world. Other acceptable applications include SuperDuper! and Deja Vu. The former is very easy to use but does not offer incremental backup. The latter offers incremental and network backups.
No topic is more difficult for me to address with clients than backing up data. I hate to do it as much as anyone else, and to do so with any confidence will take much more than DotMac.
Create multiple backup copies.
Do not rely solely on Internet backups. More desirable are data backups to DVD's, hard drives, tapes, and file servers.
Store backups in at least two different street locations.
Purchase commercial backup software to automate the backup process.
All computer hard drives fail. Those that don't fail, get corrupted or stolen. The only factor that I cannot predict in regards to the loss of data storage is when, not if.
If you have files on your Mac which you'd rather not have vanish, back them up. Nothing is more important to busy people than keeping the backup simple. To achieve this goal, backup the entire contents of your hard drive on an external hard drive or file server.
This isn't cheap. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles. Your backup solution should meet your own individual backup needs. If you have a few dozen word processing files that can fit on a single CD, then burning a single 650 MB CD once a week might work for you. Few of us will get off so conveniently or inexpensively, though. DVD's hold 4.7 GB's of data and cost more. Hard drives hold more yet and cost more yet.
Design and implement your own backup system based on an analysis of:
At this time, I do not see a positive cost/benefit for Apple's DotMac Backup. Look elsewhere.
In theory, and for some people, Apple's DotMac backup application Backup could be an acceptable solution for backing up computer files. A successful backup strategy is demanding, requiring a high level of confidence and reliability. Human factors are equally as important as the backup application itself.
I currently discourage use of DotMac for backing up Mac files for the following reasons:
- Storage Limitation. DotMac iDisk storage capacity is severely limited by any standards given that most Macs these days contain far more data than fits on an iDisk. This forces users to make difficult decisions regarding what to back up and what to leave behind. Storing some data on DotMac and other files such as music on other backup media offers confusion.
- Internet vs Local. Backing up over the Internet means having an Internet connection and then copying files over a slow connection, I do say slow because even DSL and cable Internet are ponderously slow compared to the speed of backups locally using FireWire or Ethernet.
- Scheduling Full Backups. Apple Backup does not offer a feature to schedule periodic full backups. Backup creates incremental (partial) backups after the initial backup. Preferentially, full backups every month or two provide greater reliability. Apple Backup can do full backups manually only. No one wants to, or should be required to, remember this task. All tasks should be programmable through the backup schedule.
- Burn Data DVD's. To complement iDisk storage, manually run a full backup to DVD or an external hard drive at least once a month.
- Perform Manual Full Backups. Purge existing iDisk backups every four to six months, then immediately perform a full backup to iDisk.
The pro's use Retrospect Express (or Retrospect Backup) backup software from EMC/Dantz. Retrospect is not free and it's difficult to configure but it's the most reliable solution, in my view of the world. Other acceptable applications include SuperDuper! and Deja Vu. The former is very easy to use but does not offer incremental backup. The latter offers incremental and network backups.
No topic is more difficult for me to address with clients than backing up data. I hate to do it as much as anyone else, and to do so with any confidence will take much more than DotMac.
Create multiple backup copies.
Do not rely solely on Internet backups. More desirable are data backups to DVD's, hard drives, tapes, and file servers.
Store backups in at least two different street locations.
Purchase commercial backup software to automate the backup process.
All computer hard drives fail. Those that don't fail, get corrupted or stolen. The only factor that I cannot predict in regards to the loss of data storage is when, not if.
If you have files on your Mac which you'd rather not have vanish, back them up. Nothing is more important to busy people than keeping the backup simple. To achieve this goal, backup the entire contents of your hard drive on an external hard drive or file server.
This isn't cheap. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles. Your backup solution should meet your own individual backup needs. If you have a few dozen word processing files that can fit on a single CD, then burning a single 650 MB CD once a week might work for you. Few of us will get off so conveniently or inexpensively, though. DVD's hold 4.7 GB's of data and cost more. Hard drives hold more yet and cost more yet.
Design and implement your own backup system based on an analysis of:
- Required storage capacity
- Desired level of data security
At this time, I do not see a positive cost/benefit for Apple's DotMac Backup. Look elsewhere.
