Backup software.

[ukracer]

I have found this thread useful even if I had not purchased a package. I just need to establish How I can use multiple folder locations that all sync to the cloud all be that one drive. Google drive, Dropbox. Qnap NAS, Synergy Nas or my sever.

At the moment I use drop folders that sync to Dropbox. BUT I do have other locations that are not working Dropbox folders but are synced to drop box. Essentially Folders like Firefox Download folder is more of a saved files folder on Dropbox cloud.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I have iDrive set up to backup an entire data drive...all I do is drop files onto that data drive and they're both stored locally and securely backed up in the cloud.

iDrive also supports multiple machines backups...it might also be able to do single folders too (haven't tried that).

The local data drive eventually failed (it runs 24/7)...all I had to do was insert a new HDD and then restore the cloud version...all directories etc were restored in a few hours.

 

[ukracer]

Do you want software to take an image of the pc that you can restore if it fails, or are you talking about backing up your data? They are 2 related, but different things in my experience.

Both....but yes I totally agree they are different things.

Images are to save me work if the device/ drive fails.

A Back up similar to how Skotl describes cloud drives is a separate entity, all be it still saved to the cloud or NAS etc.

The outcome I wish to achieve is speed plus teaching the end users. these being currently, 2 grandsons and their parents etc how to backup their work but not worrying about the OS itself. (All be it some files are inevitably intertwined)

 

[ukracer]

So I don't use a paid for package

Because I work across various machines everything is done on OneDrive, but as we know the cloud is just someone else's computer

This is both live synced and incrementally backed up to 2 different raid arrays on my server, the former is a current version and the latter is incase of corruption

All business critical info is further backed up on a different cloud, a Nas in a different location and physical media

It mostly happens automatically with Linux tools, the business critical stuff is updated manually and I run a nightly checksum on it, but that happens automatically. Old versions of business critical data is kept on the server/one drive and being honest it's over kill for me, but over kill is my second favourite kind of kill and my corporate job taught me you can never be too careful

I am actually working towards this type of system but not using Linux.

 

[ukracer]

I just use drop box now, couple of free accounts across a few emails addresses has covered everything I've needed

That's been my main backup for years now.

 

[ukracer]

if your meaning an image of the pc when everything is installed onto the pc, done of each pc all stored onto one hard drive then acornis can do it

remember i have 6 pcs so have to create an image after there all are installed first, any updates to them wont be included so be warned

i found numbering them with a notebook attachement and some writing advised what they was

I am sure acronis has limited my installs of true image to 2 installs now.

But yes I was using team viewer to run local software I used names/locations as its easier to know who is what, as opposed to number.


however they have cracked down and claim i am using it commercially. I have found RUST which is serving the same purpose now.

 

[daleyd]

Both....but yes I totally agree they are different things.

Images are to save me work if the device/ drive fails.

A Back up similar to how Skotl describes cloud drives is a separate entity, all be it still saved to the cloud or NAS etc.

The outcome I wish to achieve is speed plus teaching the end users. these being currently, 2 grandsons and their parents etc how to backup their work but not worrying about the OS itself. (All be it some files are inevitably intertwined)

For imaging, which I use at work, I use acronis. It just works, and I’ve rarely come across issues with it in 10 years + of using various versions - but I use a work provided version so I don’t know about costs or if there are free alternatives.

The storage of data as said above is generally done in cloud based products nowadays, we use onedrive at work, we have used another version in the past (can’t for the life of me remember it, maybe Dropbox) but both have been ok. Again, these are work provided but I use the personal version of one drive too. I also tend to keep a copy of data on a removable hard drive as well.

 

[voipio]

For occasions when the internet goes down, a local image copy of the OS and installed software, plus a local backup of working files, is also worth having.

Beyond Compare is good for backing up changed files, in user defined directories, and has a command line mode, allowing it to be run using the Task Scheduler.

 

[ukracer]

For imaging, which I use at work, I use acronis. It just works, and I’ve rarely come across issues with it in 10 years + of using various versions - but I use a work provided version so I don’t know about costs or if there are free alternatives.

The storage of data as said above is generally done in cloud based products nowadays, we use onedrive at work, we have used another version in the past (can’t for the life of me remember it, maybe Dropbox) but both have been ok. Again, these are work provided but I use the personal version of one drive too. I also tend to keep a copy of data on a removable hard drive as well.

But do you use Acronis via the network. In my case its WAN at times not just LAN. I have a purchased 2019 version of Acronis True image and it does not seem to have that availability.

I have just installed the Terabyte suite and there is loads of options I dont understand. I just tried making an image from my laptop of my Main Desktop (which is at Home) its cant see it despite it being on my Network when I am at home. I am not particularly clever and age is taking its toll but I realise I need to connect to my main desktop somehow but the software does not offer any option other than C drive on the laptop.

Now I know I can use RUST to control my Main PC and install the terabyte software on there but I was looking for a way not to do that.

 

[ukracer]

For occasions when the internet goes down, a local image copy of the OS and installed software, plus a local backup of working files, is also worth having.

Beyond Compare is good for backing up changed files, in user defined directories, and has a command line mode, allowing it to be run using the Task Scheduler.

I can appreciate that is useful. But my use is not business so as long as the data is safe and accessible, if the worst happens, I will be happy.

Beyond compare is maybe for the future. A mate of mine wrote some software many years ago to find duplicate files. IT was awesome BUT it became obvious it had restrictions in that some images might be the same BUT needed in several locations and it became a nightmare to work out what was safe deleting. It was useful for detecting software I had stored in multiple locations and was taking up space.

 

[daleyd]

But do you use Acronis via the network. In my case its WAN at times not just LAN. I have a purchased 2019 version of Acronis True image and it does not seem to have that availability.

I have just installed the Terabyte suite and there is loads of options I dont understand. I just tried making an image from my laptop of my Main Desktop (which is at Home) its cant see it despite it being on my Network when I am at home. I am not particularly clever and age is taking its toll but I realise I need to connect to my main desktop somehow but the software does not offer any option other than C drive on the laptop.

Now I know I can use RUST to control my Main PC and install the terabyte software on there but I was looking for a way not to do that.

I don’t tend to use network for back ups as I use it mostly for scada systems - they tend to be standalone, not connected via any corporate network and 9 times out of 10 have an air gap to the outside world/internet so we just image and restore locally. But I’m pretty sure it does have network support - Acronis 15 is the version we use from memory.

I understand the need for a corporate IT to have network support but for home use, where the PCs are probably local I don’t see the real benefit, but as always your mileage may vary!

 

[ukracer]

I don’t tend to use network for back ups as I use it mostly for scada systems - they tend to be standalone, not connected via any corporate network and 9 times out of 10 have an air gap to the outside world/internet so we just image and restore locally. But I’m pretty sure it does have network support - Acronis 15 is the version we use from memory.

I understand the need for a corporate IT to have network support but for home use, where the PCs are probably local I don’t see the real benefit, but as always your mileage may vary!

Ok its very simple. I am often away for a few days and need access to the other computers. (not all the time BUT the law of SOD states if it can go wrong it will go wrong usually when you are away for a few days.

This is my usual modus operandi. " dont KISS when you dont have to. lol

Today I am in a Caravan using EE network via a Router and my laptop. BUT I have printed 50 invitations out for my Grandsons party whilst the printer is still at home.

I think though I might have underestimated how difficult it is to set up a WAN as opposed to a LAN. Seems like I need to configure ports on the remote Router. I am just reading up to see if , 2014, 2017 and 2019.its both ways. I can use RUST to adjust settings on the remote PC 's and I am guessing I can log into the Router remotely to set ports but I need to read how its done.


Oh and I have acronis versions 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019. Not sure how much better it is now.

I purchased Terbyte software as when I read what it does it seemed that all I had to do is install a client on the workstation/client but it does not appear to be that simple.

 

[ukracer]

The weird thing is that I can connect to one of my NAS at home when I am in a remote location. (Synology)

BUT i also have a QNAP and I cant connect to that remotely.

 

[premmington]

I got a pair of old M3 1TB Samsung 2.5" USB 3.0 drives - I back up to them once a week at workshop.

Last job on last day of the working week before locking up.

Transfer rates are good with these USB 3.0 drives - may even update to a pair of newer drives with USB4 when I get a new desktop PC.

I don't think these disc drives have the lifespan of SSD memory. But I not had one fail as yet. But they are in a drawer in padded case and not getting knocked about.

Some once told me - you need three copies on two differing types of media - in two differing locations - to be safe...

----

Only reason I have had to use them - is when I have deleted a file by accident myself.

 

[Pilgrim22]

Just purchased that as it seems to have 100% of what I need.
Only thing i don't like so far is you need to pay again for a new Major version. But at least if its crap it does not cost hundreds for lifetime updates.

I have only had to upgrade from v3 to v4 recently because I bought a new laptop with a snapdragon processor (big mistake !) and that wasn't supported in V3.
I reckon I was using V3 for about 8 years so the major upgrades dont come around too often.

 

[daleyd]

Ok its very simple. I am often away for a few days and need access to the other computers. (not all the time BUT the law of SOD states if it can go wrong it will go wrong usually when you are away for a few days.

This is my usual modus operandi. " dont KISS when you dont have to. lol

Today I am in a Caravan using EE network via a Router and my laptop. BUT I have printed 50 invitations out for my Grandsons party whilst the printer is still at home.

I think though I might have underestimated how difficult it is to set up a WAN as opposed to a LAN. Seems like I need to configure ports on the remote Router. I am just reading up to see if , 2014, 2017 and 2019.its both ways. I can use RUST to adjust settings on the remote PC 's and I am guessing I can log into the Router remotely to set ports but I need to read how its done.


Oh and I have acronis versions 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019. Not sure how much better it is now.

I purchased Terbyte software as when I read what it does it seemed that all I had to do is install a client on the workstation/client but it does not appear to be that simple.

Yes, as I said your situation may be different, but I’d say for the majority of home users taking images over a network might be of marginal benefit. So to me it’s not entirely surprising that home imaging software might not offer it. If you have a need for that sort thing you would probably be in the market for higher end business end software, with all the associated costs.

That’s not to say you can’t get free or at least reasonable cost imaging software with that facility - I just don’t know. Acronis “professional” level software does it, but I don’t know about their consumer level products.

 

[skotl]

Yes, as I said your situation may be different, but I’d say for the majority of home users taking images over a network might be of marginal benefit. So to me it’s not entirely surprising that home imaging software might not offer it. If you have a need for that sort thing you would probably be in the market for higher end business end software, with all the associated costs.

That’s not to say you can’t get free or at least reasonable cost imaging software with that facility - I just don’t know. Acronis “professional” level software does it, but I don’t know about their consumer level products.

Agree. And imaging software is of limited value if you switch hardware as it may not be possible to restore the image.

Modern operating systems (and apps) are so straightforward to install that I've long given up on the idea that there's value in backing them up at that level. Case in point that I mentioned earlier in this thread: wife's SSD died so I replaced that, installed Windows 11 on the new drive (15 minutes), reinstalled office and then OneDrive magic'd up her files. The entire process was less than an hour.

I think the true measure of a backup solution is if you can access your files from an entirely different machine.

 

[daleyd]

Agree. And imaging software is of limited value if you switch hardware as it may not be possible to restore the image.

Modern operating systems (and apps) are so straightforward to install that I've long given up on the idea that there's value in backing them up at that level. Case in point that I mentioned earlier in this thread: wife's SSD died so I replaced that, installed Windows 11 on the new drive (15 minutes), reinstalled office and then OneDrive magic'd up her files. The entire process was less than an hour.

I think the true measure of a backup solution is if you can access your files from an entirely different machine.

Absolutely - in work for us it has it’s uses, for companies like pharma where they have a “validated system” they require us to provide a complete disaster recovery process, as if they introduce any new bits the whole system needs to be re validated - money isn’t usually a big issue for them so they will have spare PCs of the same spec supplied which we can just stick the image back on and it doesn’t affect the system validation.

But this is really fairly specialist case and as you say, for most people having files backed up is enough, and probably more useful.