On-Line storage

[Guest]

I'm wondering why I shouldn't consider an on-line back-up solution? As
an example, allmydata.com advertises unlimited storage for $5.00 a
month. A big external disk is on the order of $150. It would take 30
months to pay for the disk at $5.00/month. Of course, it would probably
be full before then.

Cons (as I see them are):
1. Personal data may not be so personal.
2. Access to files limited to download speeds.
3. Company could go out-of-business, then what?

Pros (As I see them are):
1. Unlimited (off site) storage. House burns down, data are still there.
2. Cheaper than purchasing own hardware when considering hardware's
useful lifetime.
3. Data are backed up for the user (presumably). A con if not.

For an average home user (me) the on-line solution is appealing. Am I
missing something? Any suggestions for reputable companies providing
this service?

 

[Arno Wagner]

I'm wondering why I shouldn't consider an on-line back-up solution? As
an example, allmydata.com advertises unlimited storage for $5.00 a
month.

I would not trust this "unlimited" offer. For example, the
bandwidth promise is certainly "best effort". If they throttle
you down to 100kB/s, it suddenly takes 1 Month to do a 10GB
backup or to retreive it. I once signed up for a trial
of 2=30 days with a similar outfit and got even slower speed.
In addition they billed my credit card, despite me having
terminated the trial after 10 days.

I find it very suspicuous that there is no hard data at all on their
website. Saym for example, they have a 100Mb/s (~10MB/s) outside
link. That gives you the 100kB/s with just 100 active users.

In addition, this service may vanish at any time (taking its
data with it). It can also burn down. Or they could terminate
anybody iusing more than 10GB.

There is no assureance at all that this is more than, e.g., one large
box with 8 1TB disks in it and the aforementioned 100Mb/s link.

Also, if you look at services that qualify as professional,
you see much higher prices. Of course, they typically include
RAID, tape library in the background at other location,
reachability assurances, etc..

As a comparison price point: Amazon currently charges 10 cent per GB
and month for storage and 10 cent per GB transferred.

A big external disk is on the order of $150. It would take 30
months to pay for the disk at $5.00/month. Of course, it would probably
be full before then.

Cons (as I see them are):
1. Personal data may not be so personal.
2. Access to files limited to download speeds.
3. Company could go out-of-business, then what?

4. Traffic shaping is very likely.

Pros (As I see them are):
1. Unlimited (off site) storage. House burns down, data are still there.

- It is not clear, how large this ''unlimited'' is in fact. See above.

2. Cheaper than purchasing own hardware when considering hardware's
useful lifetime.

- Again, depends very much on the quality of service you get.

3. Data are backed up for the user (presumably). A con if not.

If you are lucky. Unless you have a true verify option (data is
transferred back and compared locally, highly unlikely to be included
in such an offer), or a crypto one (crypto-hashes are calculated
remotely and locally and are compared, still unlikely), you cannto be
sure of the ntegrity of your backup.

For an average home user (me) the on-line solution is appealing. Am I
missing something?

I think so. I thionk this cannot really be done this cheap at the
moment. I also think that they are hiding something.

Any suggestions for reputable companies providing this service?

I looked recently and I did not find anything trust inspiring that
was not quite expensive.

Arno

 

[mscotgrove]

I'm wondering why I shouldn't consider an on-line back-up solution?  As
an example, allmydata.com advertises unlimited storage for $5.00 a
month.  A big external disk is on the order of $150.  It would take 30
months to pay for the disk at $5.00/month.  Of course, it would probably
be full before then.

Cons (as I see them are):
1.  Personal data may not be so personal.
2.  Access to files limited to download speeds.
3.  Company could go out-of-business, then what?

Pros (As I see them are):
1.  Unlimited (off site) storage.  House burns down, data are still there.
2.  Cheaper than purchasing own hardware when considering hardware's
useful lifetime.
3.  Data are backed up for the user (presumably).  A con if not.

For an average home user (me) the on-line solution is appealing.  Am I
missing something?  Any suggestions for reputable companies providing
this service?

I like the concept of off site backup. However, it should be part of
a comprehensive backup.

The big point is for a system that is fully automatic, and will be
there if your house burns down etc.

I've used Carbonite for just over year, and found it works. PC
Magazine had a report in July08 issue and liked SOS Online.

Research the package, but I would recommend the concept. Also, do do
a local backup


Michael
www.cnwrecovery.com

 

[Guest]

I looked recently and I did not find anything trust inspiring that
was not quite expensive.

Thank you (and Michael) for taking the time to respond to my post. I
took a quick glance at the Amazon and Carbonite solutions and both seem
to be pretty good. I'm also talking with a friend of mine. We may set
up a server at each house so the other can use it for offsite back up.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Thank you (and Michael) for taking the time to respond to my post. I
took a quick glance at the Amazon and Carbonite solutions and both seem
to be pretty good. I'm also talking with a friend of mine. We may set
up a server at each house so the other can use it for offsite back up.

That is an excellent solution. I am doing something similar currently.

Arno