They say there are only two types of hard drives, those that have failed and those that are about to fail. While that is a pessimistic view of modern hardware, when it comes to critical data, a little pessimism is a good thing. Everyone knows they need to backup their data. Why is that we get PCs on our bench every week that don’t have backups?
Perhaps a discussion of the options available will help motivate people to take the relatively easy steps to data protection.
Take two backups and call me in the morning.
There are basically 2 types of backups systems one can choose. File based backups and Image based backups. File based backups are just that, a collection of the important data files on your computer. Image based backups are a complete backup of your entire system. Image backups contain all your data *and* your applications. Your settings, your license keys, your hidden files, protected Windows files, the works. Image backups are a clone of your data. File based backups are just the important bits of your system, your pictures, music and documents without any of the programs you need to manage them. With a File based backup, when you go to restore your data after a hard drive crash, you will need copies of all your applications, license keys, documentation, patches, configuration settings, etc. etc etc.
Why would you choose File Based backups if they don’t back everything up?
Well, for the same reason you may want to watch a movie vs. reading a book. Time. Really though, it’s a space issue. File based backups focus on the critical parts of your system, the data, and ignore the applications. On average, File Based backups are much smaller than an Image backup of the same system. File based backups are faster to complete as well. So, for quick, small backups, File Based backups are often used. File based backups are also used when you want to copy your data off site. Because of their smaller size and speed, File based backups are perfect for off site backup services. Services including Carbonite, Mozy, and Dr. Backup all use a form of File based backup. In each case, you will need to reinstall Windows and all of your applications if you have a hard drive crash.
Meet your identical twin, the Image Backup.
Image backups are a carbon copy clone of your drive. Everything on your system is backed up. Everything. They are slower to run, take up more space and when you hard drive crashes, they are what you want to save a ton of time when it comes to recovery. With an image backup of your system you can replace the failed drive, run the recovery software and often be back up and running in under an hour–less time that it would take to locate all your software if you were recover a File based backup. The advantage of an Image backup is it backs up everything. The downside of an Image backup is it backs up everything. That use to be the running joke regarding image backups. The reality is, space is cheap now, so there really isn’t an excuse not to have an Image backup of critical systems.
Why can’t we all just get along?
When all is said and done, you really should have both a File based system (off site) and an Image based backup (on site). If someone breaks in and steals your PC, they will probably steal your Image backup as well. With a File based backup, you still have your data off site and can at least get back to where you were, albeit slowly. If your hard drive crashes, recovery is quick and painless via your local Image backup. The thing is, you don’t know how/why your going to need to recover your data, so you need to plan for the 2 big things that happen; Hard Drive Crashes and PC Theft.
So, you have no excuse. Yes, the glass is half-full, so take the remaining fluid and use it to energize yourself. Implement a backup system, be it File Based, Image based, or some combination of the two. Here are products we use to protect our customers valuable data.
File based (offsite) backup solutions:
Image based (onsite) backup solutions:
