Backup to Disk not external attached to USB port

Orlando Alonzo · April 11, 2011, 01:32:34 PM

Anyone using a backup to disk solution instead of tapes? If you are, which one are you using? I'm looking for something that will work with my existing backup software (Backup Exec) and also relative quick for backups and restore. I'm starting to consider this since I will need to replace 20 Ultrium LTO tapes soon. They're pretty old, about 3 yrs old.

Bloody Jack Kidd · April 11, 2011, 01:57:16 PM

BE has B2D support, I'm pretty sure - but you might need something like:

http://www.dell.com/ca/business/p/disk-storage

pretty sure they are doing B2D at our main data center, but only so that they can backup to tape during production hours from that disk image.

Anytime you are giving up tape, you need to make sure the disk solution does not increase your exposure to possible data loss.

Jan Regnier · April 11, 2011, 02:06:01 PM

We are using 3 WD Laptop 2.5 500GB sata harddrives for backup and we use BE 11d. Tapes were 4 hours to back up and HDs are about 30 minutes (they are USB drives)

Jeff Zylstra · April 11, 2011, 02:35:35 PM

We are using USB drives for offsite storage, and also simultaneously backup to another server's hard drive. Our backup software is Acronis Backup and Recovery 10.

Hans Manhave · April 11, 2011, 02:57:19 PM

As software I'm using Folder Clone Pro.

Backing up to removable sata hard drives, the Dell RD1000 system.

As far as I have tested, it appears to all be there. I have restored some of the files backed up and I also use them directly without restoring since it is just a plain copy (compressed NTFS).

Over the weekend I did look into just getting a sata dock and a bunch more plain (no case) sata drives as that is a lot cheaper.

Feel free to comment on this also.

Orlando Alonzo · April 12, 2011, 09:28:34 AM

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards the Iosafe drives. http://www.iosafe.com/products-solo-overview. Fireproof and waterproof. It seems reasonably priced. The downside is not to convenient to take off site.

Jeff Zylstra · April 12, 2011, 10:11:23 AM

Quote from: Orlando Alonzo on April 12, 2011, 09:28:34 AM
Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards the Iosafe drives. http://www.iosafe.com/products-solo-overview. Fireproof and waterproof. It seems reasonably priced. The downside is not to convenient to take off site.

OK - 2 TB for $229, and fireproof and waterproof too? Am I mis-reading this? If not, I would strongly consider dumping my old Windows 2000 server that I use as a second, on-site data storage medium, and going with one of these for on-site storage. The only question then become whether or not having 2 USB storage devices getting written to or read from simultaneously is feasible or not. My guess is that 2 USB devices getting simultaneous access to my server would slow things down to a crawl for backup speeds. Anyone have any experience with this?

Jim Jensen · April 12, 2011, 10:31:00 AM

I am intrigued as well. A 1TB with 5 yr warranty and service is $330 plus shipping/tax. It has bolt-down tabs to reduce theft chances too. My biggest potential issue then would be fire (or a tornado blowing the whole place away). I'll be interested to hear what others have to say, too.

Bloody Jack Kidd · April 12, 2011, 10:39:54 AM

See if you can get devices with eSATA connects or USB 3.0 - faster.

Jeff Zylstra · April 12, 2011, 10:42:38 AM

Quote from: Rick Chisholm on April 12, 2011, 10:39:54 AM
See if you can get devices with eSATA connects or USB 3.0 - faster.

That makes sense. Just wondering how or if, either e-SATA of USB would be affected by multiple units operating simultaneously.

Gene Foraker · April 12, 2011, 10:45:27 AM

Yes, I have been looking at the Iosafe, too. Looks like a winner to me.

I am curious about software. It seems to come with none. It says it is compatible with Server 2003. I think Server 2003 includes a backup utility, but would I be better running a third party software? I know some you IT guys are going to recommend expensive software, but just how bad is the included backup in 2003?

It also seems to only support 2003 with eSATA interface. The server is aging and I know it doesn't have an external eSATA plug, but I guess I could just use a small cable to take the SATA from the board to the back of the server.

Gene Foraker · April 12, 2011, 10:47:22 AM

Quote from: Rick Chisholm on April 12, 2011, 10:39:54 AM
See if you can get devices with eSATA connects or USB 3.0 - faster.

The Iosafe supports only those connections. (Well of course usb 3 is back compatible with usb 2.)

Orlando Alonzo · April 12, 2011, 10:48:07 AM

Jeff,

Based on my short research of the product it apparently works very well with Acronis. I believe the SoloPro has esata and usb 3.0.

Jeff Zylstra · April 12, 2011, 10:56:18 AM

Quote from: Orlando Alonzo on April 12, 2011, 10:48:07 AM
Jeff,

Based on my short research of the product it apparently works very well with Acronis. I believe the SoloPro has esata and usb 3.0.

It looks like a great product. Thanks, Orlando.

Brett · April 12, 2011, 02:06:22 PM

Hi all,

I'm the PR Director at ioSafe and wanted to say thanks for the positive comments and to address some of the points raised.

>>OK - 2 TB for $229, and fireproof and waterproof too? Am I mis-reading this?<<

Sorry, but you are misreading it. The 1TB Solo is $229; the $2TB is $399.99

>>If not, I would strongly consider dumping my old Windows 2000 server that I use as a second, on-site data storage medium, and going with one of these for on-site storage. The only question then become whether or not having 2 USB storage devices getting written to or read from simultaneously is feasible or not.<<

Only the eSATA version of the SoloPRO supports Windows Server.

http://www.iosafe.com/products

>>I am curious about software. It seems to come with none.<<

The SoloPRO and ioSafe Rugged Portable both ship with a copy of Genie Timeline Professional.

http://www.genie9.com/business/genie_timeline_pro/overview.aspx

Thanks again and let me know if you have any other questions!

Brett

Jim Jensen · April 12, 2011, 02:14:11 PM

Brett,

Can you be more specific about being "supported" on Windows Server? Is this specific that WindowServers won't recognize the drivers for the system without eSata, or is there a software compatibility issue?

Brett · April 12, 2011, 02:24:30 PM

Quote from: Jim Jensen on April 12, 2011, 02:14:11 PM
Brett,

Can you be more specific about being "supported" on Windows Server? Is this specific that WindowServers won't recognize the drivers for the system without eSata, or is there a software compatibility issue?

It's hardware-related, Jim. The USB 2.0/3.0 connection may not function reliably in all Window Server environments.

Orlando Alonzo · April 12, 2011, 02:59:31 PM

Maybe Brett can arrange for an Applied Users group discount. What do you say Brett?

Brett · April 12, 2011, 03:10:48 PM

Quote from: Orlando Alonzo on April 12, 2011, 02:59:31 PM
Maybe Brett can arrange for an Applied Users group discount. What do you say Brett?

I'm already speaking with Rick about the possibilities

Bloody Jack Kidd · April 12, 2011, 03:26:44 PM

Quote from: Brett on April 12, 2011, 03:10:48 PM
Quote from: Orlando Alonzo on April 12, 2011, 02:59:31 PM
Maybe Brett can arrange for an Applied Users group discount. What do you say Brett?

I'm already speaking with Rick about the possibilities

I'm always looking out for you guys!

Orlando Alonzo · April 12, 2011, 03:27:26 PM

You go Rick!

KenH · April 12, 2011, 06:18:36 PM

I've been using Server 2003 included B/U software as a scheduled task to backup to USB External drives for a few years. I have been very happy with the results. The last server upgrade, I restored the data from the backup drives. There may be better backup software, but I think in the Tape to Disk argument, Tape has no chance.

Bloody Jack Kidd · April 12, 2011, 07:17:15 PM

Ironed out the details with ioSafe - AU promotion info here http://mcaf.ee/fda1c

20% off select disaster proof ioSafe hardware - thanks to Brett and ioSafe.com

Jim Jensen · April 13, 2011, 08:48:11 AM

CDW has an eSata expansion for $24.

Gene Foraker · April 13, 2011, 04:36:02 PM

Quote from: KenH on April 12, 2011, 06:18:36 PM
I've been using Server 2003 included B/U software as a scheduled task to backup to USB External drives for a few years. I have been very happy with the results. The last server upgrade, I restored the data from the backup drives. There may be better backup software, but I think in the Tape to Disk argument, Tape has no chance.

Great to hear. Acronis may be great, but is $900. The software I have now works OK, it was installed with the server. Works OK, but no one has every heard of it. Tapeware from Yosemite Technologies. Probably no better than the Server 2003 utility, though I haven't looked into that.