How does everybody backup?

#1

Post by mironathetin » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 1:04 PM UTC

As soon as you start writing code for your own business, backup is a relevant question.

Since OS X Apple always came with decent freeware solutions that could be used with external firewire drives for example. Time Capsule is a logical (and great) successor.

But what about linux and windows? At work I use linux and we backup with ibms tivoli software. This is crap of course, because replay of a crashed or exchanged hd requires installation of a linux system first in order to access the backup. After that the data has to be moved bit by bit and apps have to be re-installed one by one.

As long as I used windows (until 2000), it was even worse. (sidenote: the degree with which an os is called professional is reverse to its backup capabilities. This strikes me since ever!).

How does everybody backup their macs, linux boxes or windows systems?

Re: How does everybody backup?

#2

Post by edw519 » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 1:42 PM UTC

I just copy my /bin directory onto an 8GB thumb drive. Rotate once a week into fireproof box.

Re: How does everybody backup?

#3

Post by brlewis » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:03 PM UTC

Personal stuff I copy to a USB drive in the house.

For business stuff it's tar + ssh to a geographically distant location.

Re: How does everybody backup?

#4

Post by cperciva » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:13 PM UTC

I use the latest beta version of the online backup software I'm writing (www.tarsnap.com), and then copy said beta onto a USB key which I carry around with me.

Yes, I like eating dogfood. :-)

Re: How does everybody backup?

#5

Post by inovica » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:30 PM UTC

Under Linux we use Rsync. Its great and only the changed portions of changed files are updated. Under Windows I use Viono Backup (www.vionobackup.com). Its in beta at the moment, but this is secure and encrypted and works similar to Rsync

Re: How does everybody backup?

#6

Post by dougfort » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:41 PM UTC

I use SpiderOak (BTW: I'm a programmer for SpiderOak)

Re: How does everybody backup?

#7

Post by lst » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:50 PM UTC

2 USB keys (kept in separated places) plus external disk (connected only for copying).

Should suffice...

Re: How does everybody backup?

#8

Post by brunnock » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 2:58 PM UTC

I second the Rsync recommendation. I back up our servers every 15 minutes with it. In the event of a catastrophe, we will have lost 15 minutes worth of data, at most.

Re: How does everybody backup?

#9

Post by eru » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 3:14 PM UTC

edw519 wrote: post #2

I just copy my /bin directory onto an 8GB thumb drive. Rotate once a week into fireproof box.

Why would you do this? Isn't /home where your data lives?

Re: How does everybody backup?

#10

Post by eru » Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 3:15 PM UTC

Interesting question. I consider S3 with a front-end like http://www.jungledisk.com/

Does anybody have any experience with that?