Comments on: Backup strategy revisited

By: Remote Data Backup Software | NomaDesk Virtual Private Servers

Remote Data Backup Software | NomaDesk Virtual Private Servers — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:08:46 +0000

[...] Backup strategy Revisited I am taking my Macbook Pro in for repair today, so I spent most of last night backing up all the data [...] [...]

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:08:44 +0000

@Rarst: You are right, it’s a real can of worms… and when you move from protecting your own data to protecting others it’s even worse!

Fortunately my clients data is protected rock-solid, I just don’t have that sort of funds to throw at my home data, so I need to make do

By: Rarst

Rarst — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:26:37 +0000

@Jim

Biggest problem with mirror are viruses. I had sneaky infection once that hit plenty of exe files – I had to redownload 1/3rd of my setup packages.

Also backward sync is an issue, for some docs that are bidirectional synced file broken on flash drive (which are pretty unreliable) might pollute original files on local drive.

Problem with good backup it’s real pain to setup. And even if it is automated still need to be checked manually that archives are recoverable.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:46:32 +0000

@Rarst: Good points there. I think it depends on your reasons for backup. Personally I just want the files I have on my laptop backed up (and archives, of course). If I delete a file that’s fine, I don’t need (myself) the ability to retrieve it from backup, although I can see where some people may need that. That is a different matter for my server, and that is in hand.

If you are referring to coding and overwriting files then version control would be a better option I think, something like subversion. I am going to implement this on my projects as soon as I get my Macbook back!

Also, amen on the folder structure point, the only thing more untidy than my office is my folder structure!

By: Rarst

Rarst — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:39:59 +0000

@Jim

Biggest problem with my setup is that it mirrors only for local stuff. Mirror as backup is unreliable, good backup must provide means to restore files X days back (where X is as big as space allows).

Cobian can handle proper backups but I need better folder structure to setup that. And better folder structure means current one is used fo? years and veeeery outdated.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:53:26 +0000

@Rarst: That seems pretty thorough, looks like you have most bases covered there

I am in a similar “complex” situation and my proposed solution should (in theory) be a one-stop-shop (several times over LOL)

By: Rarst

Rarst — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:49:37 +0000

My backup setup is not too good (relatively).

1. Most of local stuff is mirrored to external HDD and flash drive daily via SyncEXP.
2. Blog database mailed me daily, copy in mail plus it gets in mirrors via WP DB Backup plugin.
3. Blog FTP account is made weekly and gets in mirrors via Cobian Backup.

Need to add two things:
4. add Dropbox as one more mirror destination for docs
5. add backup to second drive for large files

Bit messy, I am not very happy with it but it works and revamp would require few days of sorting stuff.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:24:04 +0000

@Lyndi: That’s a good situation to be in, backups can be a right headache to deal with. I used to use DVD’s, but these have been known to fail/get lost so I don’t trust that method. I must admit I do take the issue a little far, I am currently wondering what will happen to my data if my house burns down

By: Lyndi

Lyndi — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:16:28 +0000

Yikes, the scenarios you have sketched are very technical and involved. Fortunately I do not have anything half as difficult as this to deal with on my home machines. I use a desktop as well as a notebook at home, but all I do is to blog on them. All I need to worry about is the database backups as well as an occasional backup of the WordPress core files.

At work things are a bit more complicated but fortunately there the problem of backups is not mine.