Backup mediums

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Backup Methods

Backup Mediums

Z-DBackup enables its users to create copies of their local files and directories on external drives and mediums. The main purpose of Z-DBackup is to protect the user from accidental data loss, e.g. by deletion or hardware errors. Because of its modular design, it supports a large variety of backup mediums.

Backup to floppy disks

•No-one needs a floppy drive because of the wide-spread use of USB sticks.

•simple and cheap

•Very time-consuming and troublesome

•Floppy disks are relatively vulnerable to external influences

•Absolutely not recommended if more than five floppies are needed!

Backup to hard disk

•A backup to hard drive is still better than none at all!

•Simple and fast

•Consideration: Backups on fixed internal hard drives can be damaged by fire or water or can be stolen, in which case you have lost your backups together with your original data. Therefore, only use external hard drives for backup!

Backup to an external hard drive

•When using a network, you can backup your data to the hard drive of another computer, maybe a server, preferably in another location.

•Very small, light and robust

•Simple and fast

•Consideration:

oWho can then access the backup?

oEnable encryption and password!

oIs the external hard drive stored safely?

Backup to USB Memory Stick

•Has become a cheap and interesting alternative

•Usable just like a normal drive

•Not suitable as the only backup medium!

•Easy to handle and carry because it's so small, but therefore also higher risk to be lost

•Consideration:

oWho can then access the data?

oEnable encryption and password!

Backup to exchangeable hard disk

•If you install a removable hard disk drawer in your company and also in your home, you can just take the hard drive from the office home with you.

•If you only use the exchangeable hard disk, you still need another backup medium.

Backup to tapes

•Requires the add-on module Z-TapeBackup for SCSI drives (TRAVAN, DAT, QIC, MLR, AIT, LTO, DDS und SLR)

•Hardware costs from ca. $ 500,--

•Tapes between $ 3 and $ 30 depending on type and capacity

•Fully automatic backups possible

•A good choice for regular backups!

Backup to CD/DVD or Blu-Ray

•Requires the add-on module Z-DataBurn

•CD/DVD burners are available from ca. $ 20,-

•CD/DVD blanks are around $ 0,25

•Rewritable media are available (CD-RW or DVD-RAM)!

•Good choice for e.g. weekly backups

Backup to ZIP drive

•There are internal and external ZIP drives available

•Hardware costs are around $ 50 depending to type and capacity (100 MB, 250 MB or 750 MB)

•ZIP mediums cost between ca. $ 6,- and $ 15,-

•Simple handling, just like a normal drive

•Highly recommended due to the low purchase price and ease of use!

Backup to Iomega® REV

•Hardware prices start at ca. $ 200,-

•Mediums cost ca. $ 45 and have a capacity of around 35 GB

•Simple handling, just like a normal drive

•Is shown as a normal removable medium in the operating system

•A real alternative to traditional tape drives:

oFast: Can save and restore data eight times faster than a tape drive

oFlexible: small medium dimensions allows for easy off-line archiving of your data

oSecure: Unlimitedly rewritable mediums

•Available for ATAPI, SATA, SCSI, FIREWIRE and USB ports

•Transfer rate: up to 15 MB/s with USB

•A good choice for regular backups!

Backup to Iomega® REV Loader

•Hardware price starts at ca. $ 950,-

•Simple use, just like a normal drive