Suggestions for backing up a Terabyte of data please

eirman

I have my important data backed up CDs, however I have about 900 Gigs of movies etc that I have not backed up. I came accross a "Terabox" network drive sometime ago but I cannot remember where. Does anyone else know ?

I am also thinking of buying three of these ... http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=305861&cks=PRL

Any other recommendations ?

blorg

External hard drives definately the way to go, unless the movies are easily burnable onto DVDs (would seem a logical place to backup movies to and DVDs are significantly cheaper than external hard drives on a per gb basis.) Obviously with DVDs you have the hassle of swapping them in and out.

Personally I use a combination of external hard drives and DVDs for backup.

the_syco

Look into getting some tapes. Old tech, but very reliable.

blorg

I would strongly advise against tapes. Expensive, linear, low capacity (unless _very_ expensive) and unreliable (again unless very expensive.) Also not terribly well standardised (again unless you go for one of the very expensive options.) Did I mention that it is expensive?

Completely unsuitable for consumer use and used less and less by business these days also...

Shiny

3 options at least.
Use DVDs if you are stuck for cash.
Use 4 250 gig hard drives if not.
Wait for HD DVD to get cheap (summer maybe?)

eirman

Many of the files are large (60 - 120 gig) encrypted containers with adult content so DVD is not an option.

Still hoping someone knows about the terabox.

I believe I can loop the external hard drives together using the firewire connections. None of my PCs have firewire so what do I need by way of controllers and connectors ?

seamus

http://www.buffalotech.co.uk/products/product-detail.php?productid=97&categoryid=19
€1100, not cheap, but then tape drives and media aren't cheap either.

the1andonly1

http://www.ameinfo.com/70185.html

dont think its out yet though

Kali

Buy the originals.

Oriel

Just buy two 500Gb hard drives, copy the porn over, then put them in storage.

Drazhar

Ah porn, the downfall of todays storage limits!!!

if you really want to keep it, DVD's are the cheapest, but be aware that stacks and stacks of DVD's labeled PR0N will attract attention!!

Drazhar

Drazhar wrote:

but be aware that stacks and stacks of DVD's labeled PR0N will attract attention!!

Then be clever about it and label it "not porn". Duh

Capt'n Midnight

blorg wrote:

I would strongly advise against tapes. Expensive, linear, low capacity (unless _very_ expensive) and unreliable (again unless very expensive.) Also not terribly well standardised (again unless you go for one of the very expensive options.) Did I mention that it is expensive?

Completely unsuitable for consumer use and used less and less by business these days also...

SDLT are expensive but drives fail far too often usually destroying the tape in the process. Autoloaders are evil and barely fit for purpose. The old DLT III / IV drives are reliable though. But multimedia files are already compressed so a 20/40 DLT IV drive would only hold 20GB ! ( SDLT would be 160GB )

www.marxcomputers.ie used to do a removable IDE bay for €20 - put your HDD's into it - treat hard drives like eggs - 2" of packing around them.

Zascar

Haev a look at Lacie boxes: http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10033

Very cost efffectiant hard disk backup. Some of them even have raid, and they also haev networked versions: http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10007

SouperComputer

why not just use RAID 5 and backup on the fly?

Kali

SouperComputer wrote:

why not just use RAID 5 and backup on the fly?

Aye could be an option.. if you already have 3x300GB disks all thats required is one more disk for a 900GB array.

eirman

SouperComputer wrote:

why not just use RAID 5 and backup on the fly?

Could someone point me to a beginners guide on RAID ..... and thanks to everyone who provided advice so far.

stevenmu

Wikipedias article on RAID is pretty good, altough it seems to like software raid more than I do.