Comparison of Backup Media

Pros Can back up entire computer, including the operating system Comparison of Backup Media External Hard Drives (specifically designed to be portable) Cons Less portable than other options More prone to wear and damage, especially if being moved Most hard drives have moving parts, making them more prone to wear and damage due to drops or vibration. Costs Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Requirements Appropriate dat port on computer (USB, IEEE, Thunderbolt, etc.) Can be stored off-site Cable to connect external hard May not work with different operating drive to computer Fast & versatile systems External hard drive Can be automated If left connected to computer, susceptible to Details: An external hard drive is typically the same type of hard drive found inside computers, but in a stand-alone enclosure with a USB or other data port that is powered by your computer or a separate power adapter. They are available in capacities ranging from that of a USB flash drive to several terabytes and can have more capacity than your computer's internal hard drive, allowing you to backup your entire system to a drive that you can separate from your computer, carry with you to transfer your files, or set aside as a backup. Qty needed for 1 TB Cost for 1TB backup least expensive 1000 $60.00 $0.06 2 $120.00 most expensive 1000 $580.00 $0.58 2 $1,160.00 least expensive 1500 $70.00 $0.05 1 $70.00 most expensive 1500 $487.00 $0.32 1 $487.00 least expensive 2000 $80.00 $0.04 1 $80.00 most expensive 2000 $572.00 $0.29 1 $572.00 least expensive 4000 $250.00 $0.06 1 $250.00 most expensive 4000 $395.00 $0.10 1 $395.00 1 trv

Portable Pros Optical drives are found on most computers Probably durable, if stored properly Can be inexpensive in cost Optical Discs (CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays) Cons Can require a lot of discs Lengthy backup Data loss if not properly stored Rewritable discs are more expensive, but can be used multiple times (not always a good thing) Write Once Costs Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Requirements Optical drive (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray) with write capability Optical discs M-Discs require special drives to write discs, (but not to read them) per gigabyte Practically impossible to automate Details: The life expectancy of optical discs is extremely difficult to determine, depending on quality of construction, type, quality of recording, handling, and environmental factors. WORM (Write-Once, Read-Many) discs have longer life expectancies than Rewritable discs and also prevent accidental or malicious modification or erasure of data. Many manufacturers claim life expectancies in centuries (based on accelerated ageing tests basically elevated heat and humidity), but many archival organizations put experiential life expectancy at 2 to 5 years. M-Discs require a special drive to burn them, but are readable on normal drives. The manufacturer (Millenniata) states that, according to the ISO accepted lifetime testing standard, these discs have shown an average lifetime of significantly more than 2,000 years with no more than one failure per 100,000 discs expected, after more than 1,000 years at 25 C (77 F) and 50 per cent relative humidity. Qty needed for 1 TB Cost for 1TB backup Type of optical disc Rewritable CD-R X 0.7 $0.18 $0.26 1463 $263.34 CD-R (archival) X 0.7 $2.00 $2.86 1463 $2,926.00 CD-RW X 0.7 $0.34 $0.49 1463 $497.42 DVD-R X 4.7 $0.20 $0.04 218 $43.60 DVD-R (archival quality) X 4.7 $2.00 $0.43 218 $436.00 DVD-RW X 4.7 $0.67 $0.14 218 $146.06 DVD-R DL X 8.5 $0.70 $0.08 121 $84.70 DVD+R X 4.7 $0.20 $0.04 218 $43.60 DVD+R (archival) X 4.7 $2.20 $0.47 218 $479.60 DVD+RW X 4.7 $0.67 $0.14 218 $146.06 DVD+R DL X 8.5 $0.52 $0.06 121 $62.92 BD-R X 25 $0.54 $0.02 41 $22.14 BD-R (archival) X 25 $7.20 $0.29 41 $295.20 BD-RE X 25 $3.20 $0.13 41 $131.20 BD-R DL X 50 $2.80 $0.06 21 $58.80 BD-RE DL X 50 $15.00 $0.30 21 $315.00 BD-R XL X 100 $50.00 $0.50 11 $550.00 M-Disc DVD X 4.7 $2.80 $0.60 218 $610.40 M-Disc Blu-Ray X 25 $8.56 $0.34 41 $350.96 2 trv

Pros Very small & portable Can be reused many times USB / Thumb Drives Cons Expensive in cost per gigabyte Limited size of USB sticks Requirements USB port USB drive Does not require special software Portability also means easily lost, misplaced, or Details: A thumb drive (aka flash drive ) stolen can serve as an external repository for important data as a protection against an event such as the failure of your hard disk. However, a single thumb drive does not have the storage capacity to backup an entire hard disk or file system, and tends to be more expensive than other storage methods for the same amount of data. USB thumb drives are the fastest and most versatile way to back up small amounts of data. The USB connector on a thumb drive tends to wear out from pulling and pushing. The flash memory it uses is only good for approximately 10,000 write cycles, depending on the quality. Costs Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Qty needed for 1 TB Cost for 1TB backup least expensive 64 $9.00 $0.14 16 $144.00 high end 64 $93.00 $1.45 16 $1,488.00 least expensive 128 $11.00 $0.09 8 $88.00 high end 128 $606.00 $4.73 8 $4,848.00 least expensive 256 $11.00 $0.04 4 $44.00 high end 256 $868.00 $3.39 4 $3,472.00 least expensive 512 $330.00 $0.64 2 $660.00 high end 512 $420.00 $0.82 2 $840.00 Pros Able to back up multiple computers Can double as file server for multiple computers NAS (Network Attached Storage) Cons Requires networking knowledge / May be difficult to configure If exposed to Internet, is target for hackers/crackers Cost / Does not provide safety of off-site storage Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Qty needed for 1 TB Requirements Network router Network drive Network cables Details: Similar to external hard drives in form & function, NAS devices connect to your home's network, providing both backup and file-sharing access to all computers on your home network. Some can be accessed by a variety of devices, including gaming consoles, media set-top boxes, and music systems. Costs Cost for 1TB backup least expensive 2048 $115.00 $0.06 1 $115.00 most expensive 2048 $270.00 $0.13 1 $270.00 least expensive 4096 $159.00 $0.04 1 $159.00 most expensive 4096 $940.00 $0.23 1 $940.00 3 trv

Pros With proper software, can back up multiple computers Easily automated RDX Drives Cons If the computer with the RDX drive enclosure fails, it has to be reinstalled on a different computer Requirements RDX drive enclosure RDX cartridges Cartridges are easily portable RDX Drive enclosure RDX Cartridge Type connector Cost Costs Details SATA $141 USB $306 USB 3.0 $1,000 Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB typical hard drive connector, usually used internally common external connector Qty needed for 1 TB Cost for 1TB backup 320 $129.00 $0.40 4 $516.00 500 $103.00 $0.21 3 $309.00 1024 $170.00 $0.17 1 $170.00 1536 $215.00 $0.14 1 $215.00 2048 $247.00 $0.12 1 $247.00 4 trv

Pros Fast & easy Internal Hard Drives Cons Requires technical knowledge to install Inexpensive Completely dependent on same computer: if it fails (hardware or software failure, theft, infected with malware), the internal hard drive Can be automated may not be available or useful; at best the hard drive will need to be uninstalled and installed in a different computer. Details: A better-than-nothing approach. High-end prices include additional features. Costs Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Qty needed for 1 TB Requirements Additional hard drive Cost for 1TB backup least expensive 1000 $40.00 $0.04 2 $80.00 most expensive 1000 $406.00 $0.41 2 $812.00 least expensive 1500 $99.00 $0.07 1 $99.00 most expensive 1500 $260.00 $0.17 1 $260.00 least expensive 2000 $60.00 $0.03 1 $60.00 most expensive 2000 $550.00 $0.28 1 $550.00 least expensive 3000 $98.00 $0.03 1 $98.00 most expensive 3000 $852.00 $0.28 1 $852.00 least expensive 4000 $140.00 $0.04 1 $140.00 most expensive 4000 $718.00 $0.18 1 $718.00 least expensive 5000 $201.00 $0.04 1 $201.00 most expensive 5000 $850.00 $0.17 1 $850.00 least expensive 6000 $249.00 $0.04 1 $249.00 most expensive 6000 $600.00 $0.10 1 $600.00 5 trv

Pros With proper software, can back up multiple computers Easily automated Tapes are easily portable Tape Cons Most expensive to start (good tape drives are very expensive and backup tapes are pricey) Requires special software Often requires special hardware Can be difficult to configure Costs Requirements Typically requires special hardware in a computer to connect to the tape drive, whether internal or external Internal connectors or external cables If any of the hardware involved with the backup tape drive Tape drives are generally very durable, long-lasting, and can be reused many fails, it has to be replaced, including installing and completely reconfiguring the setup on a different computer Tape drive Backup tapes times Details: Tape backup is the typical choice of businesses and organizations consisting of more than a handful of people because it is a proven technology, easily transported to off-site storage, and is the least expensive in cost per gigabyte (after initial investment) over long term Drive Type Drive Cost Capacity (GB) Item Cost $/GB Qty needed for 1 TB Cost for 1TB backup LTO-3 Drive $825 requires special hardware to install LTO-3 cartridge 400 $17.00 $0.04 3 $51.00 LTO-4 Drive $344 requires special hardware to install LTO-4 cartridge 800 $23.00 $0.03 2 $46.00 LTO-5 Drive $1,450 requires special hardware to install LTO-5 cartridge 1500 $21.00 $0.01 1 $21.00 $1,635 requires special hardware to install LTO-6 Drive $5,495 NEW - USB 3.0 connector, no special hardware needed LTO-6 cartridge 2500 $40.00 $0.02 1 $40.00 6 trv

Remote / Online/ Cloud Backup Service Pros Cons Requirements Requires Internet connection Internet connections Safe from local fire, flood, burglary, etc. No extra hardware required Can typically be accessed from anywhere Can be automated No limit to amount of data Very slow, especially first backup or full backups Ongoing cost Not necessarily secure If company goes out of business (sometimes, with little notice), data may not be accessible Many providers do not provide redundancy across multiple locations; a disaster at the only facility with your data can make it inaccessible or even permanently lost strongly recommended: deduplication software (ensures only a single copy of a file is uploaded, even if located in multiple locations) May require special software from service provider Details: Many services available, most use 'freemium model' (free for basic/limited services, fees for more services) Costs: wide variation, depending on capacity and features http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/comparison_of_online_backup_services Acronis AltDrive ASUS WebStorage Backblaze Barracuda Backup Service Bitcasa Box BullGuard Backup Carbonite CloudMe Comodo Backup Copy CrashPlan Cubby Dolly Drive Diino Dropbox Dropmysite Druva Insync Some Remote Backup Service Providers Egnyte ElephantDrive EVault FilesAnywhere F-Secure Google Drive Handy Backup Trend Micro SafeSync IASO Backup icloud Infinit Iperius Online Storage Jungle Disk KeepVault KineticD Livedrive MediaFire MEGA Memopal MiMedia Mozy OneDrive OwnDrive SpiderOak SugarSync Syncplicity Tarsnap TeamDrive Tresorit Unitrends Vault2Cloud UpdateStar Online Backup Wuala Yandex.Disk Zetta.net Zmanda Cloud Backup 7 trv

Synchronization Pros Cons Requirements Requires network connection Safe from local fire, flood, burglary, etc. to the degree the computers are separated Can be automated Can be slow, especially initial synchronization Not necessarily secure Expensive to duplicate hardware Can be difficult to configure Not a true backup (deleted or corrupted files can be deleted or corrupted in other locations) Details: Many applications available, some free Costs: wide variation, even with free software, there is hardware expense http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/comparison_of_file_synchronization_software (At least two) computers in different locations, each capable of storing all data Synchronizing software CloudStore Conduit Create Synchronicity DirSync Pro Dsynchronize FreeFileSync ifolder luckybackup OneSync owncloud COMMERCIAL @MAX SyncUp AeroFS Allway Sync AIMstor Argentum Backup BackupAssist Backup4all BatchSync BestSync Biscom Verosync Box Sync CloudMe Cubby - Free Cubby - Pro Distributed Storage Dropbox Some File Synchronization Software Products OPEN SOURCE rsync Seafile SparkleShare SymmetricDS Synkron Synchronizer (krusader) Syncthing Toucan Unison Easy2Sync for Files EDpCloud EnduraData Egnyte FileRock GoodSync Handy Backup HORNETDRIVE IBM Connections Inbox Storage MediaFire Mega owncloud PowerFolder RepliWeb Robocopy SecuriSync FREEWARE Microsoft ActiveSync FTP LiveSync BitTorrent Sync Briefcase in Microsoft Windows Cobian Backup Windows Mobile Device Center Gbridge Microsoft Sync Framework Microsoft SyncToy Echosync Magic Mirror Sync OmniGroup OmniPresence SpiderOak SugarSync SyncBack Syncdocs Synchronize It! Syncovery Syncplicity TeamDrive Tonido vboxxcloud Wuala ZumoDrive Zetta.net 8 trv

Windows Backup Procedure The screenshots here are from Windows 7. Things are not much different in Windows 8. Click on the Start button and type backup. You should see Backup and Restore appear in the list. If highlighted, press (you can use arrow keys to move the highlight). Otherwise, click on Backup and Restore. This opens the Backup and Restore window. Click on Set up backup You ll get a brief window: (Windows is looking for possible locations to use for the backup) 9 trv

In the Backup Destination section, there will be a list of all hard drives, internal and external, not including the hard drive to which Windows is installed (usually the C drive) and all optical disc drives. If you forgot to connect an external hard drive and it isn t listed, connect the drive and then click the Refresh button for Windows to find it and add it to the list. There is a separate button, Save on a network, on the right side. If you wish to back up to a network location, click this to open a new window (shown next page). If you don t wish to use a network location, skip to page 11. In this window, you supply Network Location Username Password and then click the OK button. You will briefly see this window. 10 trv

before being taken back to the screen where you started the selection of a network location, with the location added to the Backup Destination section: If you have a network location highlighted, a warning message will appear: Other people on the network might be able to access your backups. If you have an optical disc drive location highlighted, a warning message will appear: Other people might be able to access your backup on this location type. After selecting the Backup Destination you want to use, click the Next button. The next screen is What do you want to back up? The default is Let Windows choose (recommended). If you want to use this, simply click the Next button. If you prefer to make your own selection(s), click on Let me choose and then click the Next button. 11 trv

If you select Let me choose, you will see a selection screen which looks something like this: Each of the right-pointing triangles can be clicked to see the items it includes. Check marks in the box indicate the item (all files which are in the item) is to be backed up. There is a vertical scroll bar to view more items. When finished making selections, click the Next button. If you used Let Windows choose (recommended) for What do you want to back up?, you will see a screen much like this image. If, instead, you selected Let me choose, you might see something like this screen: Windows will automatically create a schedule for backups. If you don t like the schedule selected by Windows, click Change schedule. 12 trv

Clicking on Change Schedule will pop up a new window: If you prefer to do backups when you re ready, remove the check from the box next to Run backup on a schedule (recommended) but one of the best things you can do is do regular backups. Having it done regularly without having to think about it makes getting them done much easier and more likely to be done. For How often, select between Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. If you select Daily, there is no option for What day. If you select Weekly, What day offers a choice of each of the seven days of the week. If you select Monthly, What day offers a choice of 1 through 31 and Last day. The What time selection offers even hours, or twenty-four (24) choices. When you have adjusted the schedule to meet your needs, click the OK button. The scheduling window will close and the previous window will become active. If all the settings are as desired, click the Save settings and run backup button. 13 trv

The backup will begin. A progress bar will be shown. The window can be closed without affecting the backup. Questions? Feel free to contact Ross Valentine at rvalentine@gpld.org or call the library at 630.232.0780 14 May 2015trv