Online storage options

[JDArt]

Anyone using one of the growing number of online storage solutions, such as Mozy, Carbonite, or the GMail Drive extender? What are the pros and cons of any of these?

Thanks.

[brian.austin]

I've actually found that adding more storage to my website has been the best backup strategy for me. I control access. I control authentication. I control capacity. And I can make it accessible from anywhere in the world via a simple browser.

I'm sure these services offer some good options but I haven't really looked since my technique works fine for me.

[Mr. Pickles]

I think the big downside is, what if they decide to close shop? Of course, what if PBase closed up? I guess the security aspect and upload/download speed would be the downside. But it depends on how much they cost, vs another huge HD...?

[Alfred D.]

I'm thinking of a system whereby you would build 2, maybe 3, online RAID systems (like Drobo?), at different geographical locations, and keep automated encrypted incremental backups of your PC/Mac on them. A la OSX' Time Machine, only bigger, online, and off-premises. Obviously that's expensive. It's also got buckets of capacity. So you could share the set up – and the cost! – with a cluster of say 6 to 12 kindred spirits: friends, relatives, or colleagues (I'm guessing personal acquaintance would be very preferable).
I bet the cost-per-participant vs the iron-clad, doubly redundant, data security would be extremely interesting! The strength of this system would be in cooperation instead of separation.

As a participant I would gladly put a Drobo under my desk, and use 2 others online, if the cost would be halved or better.

[nasoj21]

I am trying to figure out a way to offer a solution to storage problems. Right now I am thinking along the lines of an online storage site, but with an in person style. I will keep storage off site and go do the initial back-up and set up automatic updates.

[Paul Shields]

I was looking into this myself recently. I was very tempted by the Amazon S3 service. They seem to have an excellent infrastructure and their pricing is transparent as well as seemingly good value. Unfortunately they did have some technical issues recently which puts me off a bit (Web startups crumble under Amazon S3 outage | The Register) but I'm realistic to know that no service is going to be 100% reliable.

Jungle Disk (essentially S3 with some slick tools) looks like it may be worth a punt:
JungleDisk - Reliable online storage powered by Amazon S3 â„¢ - Jungle Disk

[Alfred D.]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

[...] no service is going to be 100% reliable.

Which is why it's not smart (avoiding other qualifications) to depend on a 'service' like that (what's a 'service' about it? You pay full fare for it, don't you?) for something as fundamental as your backup data. HDs crash. Companies go bust.
It gets a little better if you have double redundancy. Still better, obviously, with triple redundancy.

[kevin_c]

I personally would not use online storage as a way of backing up my files or 'extending' my hard drive, an external USB2 HD is relatively cheap and fast, and can be stored anywhere (off-site preferably)
Online storage is a PITA mainly because of the large filesizes that a typical image has and the speed of uploading it on a (probably) busy shared server.

If you have your own server and lots of space that might be a better 'online storage' option but depending on your internet connection you still have the upload speed problem.

I have 2 x 500Gb Maxtor USB2 external drives, one resides at home and the other in my desk drawer at work. I bring the 'work' one home about once a fortnight and update it so it mirrors the 'home' one. A bit 'belt-and-braces' I know but the worst thing you can do is have all your backups stored alongside your data and it gets stolen or burnt at the same time!

Just my thoughts...