SOHO Backups?

[Python]

If 256MB is big enough, then rsync + dirvish could be worth considering.
You'd need enough bandwidth to push the data to an off-site location
running dirvish.  Dirvish uses hard-links to provide daily snap shot
directories where unchanged files are linked into as many consecutive
snapshots as possible.  I use it to back up my remote web server.  The
options for configuring expiration are reasonably broad so that it is
pretty easy to manage.  In my config, the dirvish server pulls the
remote data.  I do not remember if that can be reversed.  Having the
client push the data is the easier way to get through client firewalls.

(Bill Stern made a DLSLUG presentation that included this technique
along with code he wrote.  Dirvish is a different implementation of the
snapshot idea.)

I'm still using tapes (DDS4) here (Venix) with Amanda just to guarantee
that *everything* is really backed up.  My home is the off-site storage.

I think USB devices could work well, but they do require manual
intervention.  I'm glad Amanda reminds me when I forget to swap tapes.


On Tue, 2005-11-15 at 14:42 -0500, Ted Roche wrote:
> Speaking, as Ben was, of backups....
> 
> What's the current thinking on backup systems for small businesses? I  
> have a client with a 6-year-old PC and tape drive, still running  
> (tested and verified) tapes on rotation. Is there a better solution  
> these days? Years ago, I thought CD-R or DVD would replace tapes,  
> since the original WORM drives appeared to store data for a century.  
> However, I hear CD-ROM is unreliable even over 12 months, so that's out.
> 
> For a wacky thought: How about USB tabs? With 256 mb going for  
> firesale prices at this point, a client could rotate two weeks worth,  
> plus weekly and monthly offsite copies, for about the cost of a tape  
> drive and tapes.
> 
> Anyone else have a different idea for backups or is tape still the  
> thing?
> 
> Ted Roche
> Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
> http://www.tedroche.com
> 
> 
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-- 
Lloyd Kvam
Venix Corp