Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Backup
Q: What if we already have a tape backup system?
Using a tape backup system and a remote backup system offers the best of both worlds. Critical files, like billing, customer contact files and databases can be kept on the remote backup system. While the tape system can be used to create a full backup of the entire system once or twice a month, instead of on a daily basis. The tapes and drive will last longer and require less maintenance. The remote backup system can provide a quick and easy way to retrieve critical files and databases without the hassle of searching through tapes. In the event of Disaster Recovery, the tapes are restored first, RBS reinstalled, then your remote data restored. No headaches.
Q: What if we already have a Zip drive?
Frankly, we believe that it is not optimal for most users to use a zip or other removable disk media for backup. A remote backup service is completely automated and has the required file redundancy to protect important data. The only safe way to use a zip drive for backup is to have three disks and make the same backup three times. That way when one of the disk fails you are still protected.
Q: What is a Remote Backup?
A Remote Backup Service (RBS) is a service providing regular, offsite backups via the Internet using any FTP server, Email binary attachments or dial-up telephone rather than by the more traditional onsite methods that involve copying data to diskettes, tape and/or hard drives. Remote Backup is one of the terms used to describe the process of moving a copy of critical data from one computer to another to provide safe offsite data storage.
Using RBS, your computer will automatically prepare a backup of selected critical data and transmit it offsite to a remote data vault. Data transmitted to an RBS must be secure. Therefore it must be encrypted before transmission from the client's site, and it must be impossible for the RBS provider to decode. The client's data is encrypted with a password known only to the client that can be changed regularly.
RBS can backup networked and non-networked systems. It fully recognizes and supports Novell NetWare, and most peer-to-peer networks. Operation is simple. You tell RBS when you want to do backups and which files to back up. RBS does the rest for you, unattended
Q: How long will a remote backup take?
Offices with high-speed internet connections should find this service comparable with or better than tape drives. Dial up users will be able to do incremental backups in thirty to sixty minutes. The initial backup can take several nights to complete. We recommend backing up the most important files first and then selecting other files as the backup progresses. Or, the initial backup can be run over the weekend. Also, we can come to your office and make the initial backup of your system.
Q: Onsite, Offsite - What's The Difference?
Basically, remote backups work like regular tape backups, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer being backed up, a remote backup sends encrypted file data over the internet to a computer vault safely off-site. The backup will not be stolen or destroyed along with the computer it is meant to protect ! The process usually happens at night while your business is closed and nobody is using the computers. It's completely automatic. In fact, you may forget it's working every night.
Q: Why Are Remote Backups Considered More Beneficial?
The data is immediately stored off-site using an automated backup system. Also, only an internet connection is needed. Completely eliminating the need for expensive backup equipment and media. And, since the system is automated, manual labor is eliminated - a considerable cost savings.
Q: How Secure Are Remote Backups?
Very. All files are encrypted using your choice of 5 encryption systems up to 448 bit, which is selected by you with your own personal encryption key. DES encryption was developed by the US Government for military use and is now used by the federal banking system. Cash ATM machines use 40 bit DES. It has never been broken by a hacker.
Q: What is encryption?
Encryption is basically a mathematical formula that scrambles a data file. And the only way to unscramble it is with the encryption code. Read more about ENCRYPTION & SECURITY used with Remote Backup.
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