So we photographers face a huge issue with online storage… that of internet bandwidth.
When I recently rebuilt my computer that dooms me with my online backup supplier as when you rebuild your system it needs to re-upload all the data associated with that machine or items attached to it. This re-upload is usually massive and with high bandwidth connections these days can destroy your monthly limit as shown below….
Just something for everyone to keep in mind as we all move more items offsite… I know this is not a new topic – but sadly many of us our trying to do the right thing only to be limited by our ISP's.
This does not even take into consideration my other normal uses for internet – and this use will abate after the initial upload… but it is something to very much worry about in your backup strategy…
Another issue is what if your online storage company gets busted by the FBI or local LEO's and you are locked out from your own files as happened to millions of law abiding Megaupload users?
I don't have bandwidth limitations thankfully but u still prefer to do local backups – I keep a removable SATA drive at a friends house and swap it out every week or so. So, always have most things duplicated off-site, and can grab the drive out of the bay at a moment's notice. Keeps my bandwitdh down and I don't have to worry about who has access to my originals, or losing them as +Philip Daly intimated
I'm in the same situation. However, I'm 3 months in and I've only uploaded 180GB of the 220GB. Some weeks I shoot more than it uploads, so I go backwards… You've a lot more upload bandwidth than my puny provider gives me! However, this is not my preferred method of avoiding bandwidth limits. I wish my backup provider allowed me to mail them a HD with the initial image on it.
Until it completes I'm limited to my local backup, which is in the same place as the computer so it isn't ideal.
Seriously… You have a limit?? Why would they set a limit?? That's just plain stupid.. What is the reason for that limit according to the ISP's??
Okay I've only got 24 down and 1 up but if the ISP was to limit the amount of data they'd loose almost all customers.. But then again.. we're used to be able to use as much as we want..
I use backblaze and there is a file you can copy into the directory of the new disk that will avoid having to re-upload everything. I haven't done it yet but I'm planning to, and so I have researched it…
Most of the online backup solutions should have something like this I would think…
1TB external USB drives are under $100. I use mine for backups all the time. They are pretty small and so much faster than uploading.
+Jim Christie You are correct, and I use one all the time. However, should I be robbed and the house cleared out – or a fire – I would have lost both copies. I use an external drive for backups of multiple versions of all files on my computer. I then use an online service to protect me should the worst happen. The online service only keeps a limited number of versions so it shouldn't be your only backup plan.
So far I've not had to rely on either 🙂
I use online backup. When it was necessary to upload around 300gb which took several days, Cox allowed it with no problem. However, they will not allow regular overages. I have a 60mbs download, 7mbs upload–extremely fast.
Using hard disks for backup is good, but it is important that at least one backup be kept off site.
I use Back blaze and I believe that you can send them a hard drive as a starting point. Then its all incremental from there.
+Per Ardne We all have limits in the US and those in AU even have more limitations – also Canada… 250gb is actually a lot around here…
+Joel Kaneshiro I use Backblaze also – I just deeply worry about the sync file transfer method… Even Backblaze has told me its better to just re-upload… thou that might have changed now with the new software…
I have not checked back with them in sometime – I am very happy with their service…. So happy I actually promote it to my clients because of the unlimited nature and still retaining a good price… plus I can backup my Drobo with it….
+Backblaze
Yeah, I think BackBlaze is the beat value. I only had to upload about 180GB so I started it before I went away on vacation for a week.
+Kamal Tailor I use a Drobo Pro at the moment – so that is technically a NAS – I am actually backing up that monster online also… its just the initial upload that is a monster on the bandwidth – then its not bad…
For example right now I have over 700,000 files backed up online…it will be over a million when it is done…