| Offsite data storage is a process of computer data | | | | backup. The main reason this was so popular was the |
| backup involving the utilization of an offsite | | | | reduced costs associated with tape cartridges as |
| destination as a means of securing your important | | | | opposed to server costs. Another important factor |
| information in the event of a disaster. Traditionally, | | | | was the fact that tapes were portable and could be |
| this involved the use of magnetic tapes (otherwise | | | | stored away from the computer. Although many |
| known as tape storage) as well as other removable | | | | companies still employ tape backup, things are |
| storage media. Currently, however, servers are | | | | beginning to change. |
| becoming increasingly popular, as they are oftentimes | | | | Companies that utilize server backup strategies are |
| more convenient. | | | | now realizing that they are easier to use, more |
| How Does Offsite Data Storage work? | | | | reliable, and at a lesser cost than tapes. Perhaps |
| Offsite data backup works via first encrypting the | | | | most importantly, they are frequently faster than |
| data you wish to secure, and then compressing and | | | | tape systems. |
| transmitting it to an offsite data security center. This | | | | So which one to choose? Experts say it comes down |
| data can then be accessed in the event of an | | | | to the needs of the individual company or computer |
| emergency via using either the Internet or another | | | | user. |
| data restore line. | | | | When tapes are better: |
| In addition,offsite backup service providers will | | | | For deep archiving purposes - such as the retention |
| typically offer additional features, including phone | | | | of important financial documents for tax or other |
| support, account management, central management | | | | purposes - tapes are generally the way to go. This |
| for multiple data locations, as well as both database | | | | method of data backup is inexpensive and can be |
| and email backup. | | | | stored safely offsite. |
| Offsite Data Backup Advantages | | | | When servers are better: |
| There are a number of advantages to storing your | | | | If the information you must backup needs to be |
| data off-site, including: | | | | accessed quickly in the event of a disaster, servers |
| - Data is protected in the event of a natural or | | | | may offer the ideal solution. Unlike tapes, which store |
| unnatural disaster | | | | data in a linear fashion (i.e from beginning to end), |
| - Backup operations can be performed automatically - | | | | server storage acts more such as a mirror of your |
| leaving more time for more productive tasks | | | | current system. |
| - Cross-platform technologies - backups can be | | | | If you are searching to cost-factors for an incentive, |
| performed regardless of the which operating | | | | things can be equally ambiguous. For tapes, you can |
| systems you're using (Windows, Unix, Linux, etc.) | | | | expect to purchase anywhere from $20 to $50 per |
| - Added security of data-encrypted network | | | | tape, in addition to $400 to $1000 per drive to read |
| connections | | | | and write the data. Servers generally costs a little |
| Server Vs. Tape Based Data Backup | | | | less than $200 or can be rented for less than $100 |
| In years past, backing up data onto magnetic tapes | | | | per month, spending on the size and complexity of |
| was the normal operating procedure for computer | | | | your computer data. |