Home Forums Discussions Problems Best online backup / sync solution

Hi,

Any suggestions? We are looking for a solution to SYNC files and folders on the cloud, in addition to some light online backup. Pay-to-play is fine - we're just looking for the best overall product.

Thanks.

If you can give us idea of what you intend to do with that, we can advise you better. Cloud storage solutions (collaboration e.g. Dropbox, Google Drive) and cloud backup solutions (Disaster Recovery e.g. Crashplan) are geared at different purposes. Seems you are looking for both.

I should be more specific. We'll looking for a storage/sync solution, and not disaster recovery. We don't have the bandwidth for disaster recovery.

What we are tying to do is have a cloud drive where we can have up-to-the-minute syncing between multiple computer (not at the same location).

Our first hunch was Google Drive, but it doesn't like it when a folder that you're trying to sync is on the network, and not the local drive.

I would second trying Dropbox or Cubby to see if that meets your needs.

Looks like Microsoft SkyDrive doesn't like syncing network folders either.

Dropbox is pretty good at syncing. But there's the issue of HIPAA compliance: http://www.hipaasecurenow.com/index.php/dropbox-is-not-hipaa-compliant/

Has successfully synced a network drive with Dropbox? That seems to be the sticking point with many of these offerings.

A terminal server is pretty good at delivering a consistent workspace. Pair a Multipoint Server with SBS 2011 Essentials and you have all you need to open a second office.

Consistent syncing is pretty bandwith heavy if you are dealing with large files.

Ok, I've been meaning to delve into the Terminal Server thing.

Just so I'm clear - Terminal Server is now called Multipoint Server, correct?

Terminal Services (or better known as Remote Desktop Services, nowadays) is a role you can install on top of a standard Windows Server (2008,2008R2, 2012, etc.) That role requires some additional configuration but not that much.

Multipoint is basically a preconfigured terminal server. It also has lots of additional features for the same price. The downside is that it's capped at 20 users in Premium. (In Standard, it's 10). It was originally designed for academic environments, but it has a pretty good application in the small business world. Another upside is that it integrates with SBS Essentials. It's managed by a simple dashboard like SBS 2011 Essentials and can even be backed up by it. (All premium features). The premium multipoint cost the same as Server 2012/2008R2. I think the CALs are about 20 bucks cheaper. There is less configuration and management involved for the same price too.

http://channelnomics.com/2013/02/21/barracuda-takes-aim-cloud-storage-market/

http://www.skysync.com/

Not sure if these have been mentioned or are anything you would entertain.

Has anybody had anyluck with the ac database on any of the cloud services?
Trying to avoid setting up a terminal server.

Both iBackup and Mozypro support backups of SQL, Eschange and Sharepoint. Couldn't see any committment to Hipaa. Carbonite has Hipaa, but I couldn't see any VSS or database backup, etc. Couldn't find it on Crashplan. Most have de-duplication. Jungle Disk is usually very good and has a lot of features. I couldn't find VSS support though or Open Backup.

Probably iBackup or Mozypro for database support. Crashplan had a lot on their site, so I may have missed something. Definitely HIPAA compliant.

Most are AES 256 encryption. One was 448. I wouldn't worry about that too much. In 2012, not one security breach out of thousands happened during a data transmission.

Funny story, I tried restoring about 100GB from iBackup as a test. Froze the first 2 times. I've found the bandwith is excellent. It fully saturated my bandwith with large files, but the file processing was very slow. Just a little heads up. Kind of disappointing as iBackup was the best backup service I've found thus far.

In the long run for quite a bit of data from a server or otherwise, I have found most of these online backup services to be insufficient. No matter what they say on their website, they don't seem to work well with commercial uses.

I think that Rsync and sending the data to your house would be a better way to go. Backup Assist is a third party app that would help with the whole process. You can also use Amazon3 and other cloud storage sites.

I think an online service which catered to businesses only and provided a customer service rep that was extremely knowledgeable on these matters who would be assigned to your company and provide support would flourish. He or she would ensure that your setup was correct and that your data could be retrieved quickly either via the net or via courier service. The files would be encrypted, but your concierge employee would still monitor for things like skipped days, etc.

This would be the way to go. One shouldn't have to worry about VSS, databases, Sharepoint, SQL, Exchange, Open Files, De-duplication, incremental backups, differential backups, full backups, image backups, block file backups, system files, continuous vs. scheduled backups, etc. Just call it Critical Files Backup Online.

I thought the same thing. I developed a backup service just for Amazing Charts users. Except I took it a step further. I offer cloud access until your local server gets fixed. Once he or she gets the server fixed/replaced we can mail the data back or upload it back. (I prefer the former, good for people with slow connections.) It's a differential service too backing up both II and the database daily. So it works with people who have slow DSL or mobile connections. Can have minimal downtime (hybrid cloud) at a cheap price ($65/month).

Hi Sandeep,

So how does this work? You have a local server in your office and normally use this, but for a catastrophic failure you then switch to the cloud? How current would the data be from the cloud? How long would it take to get the cloud up and running? And if you mailed the data back,wouldn't you lose the data from the time you mailed it, to the time it's installed?

Overall, though, this is an extremely intriguing concept. I'm interested! Do you have more information posted anywhere?

Thanks. Gene.

We do a differential backup of your II and your full database daily (in other words all the AC data). So it's kind of like AC's backup except we handle very large amounts of data. We have a few people with 150+GB. It works because we designed a differential backup system for the II. It's all in one place. The data would be your most recent backup (from the night before). We could setup up a mid day backup as well depending on your bandwith.


In the case of a catastrophic failure that renders your system unusable, we place you on the cloud in less than an hour. We average about 15 minutes currently, but we are giving ourselves breathing room with the hour. So you experience little to no downtime. So even if your server/main computer takes weeks to repair. You should experience little to no interruption. You get the benefits of both cloud and local systems. If your Internet goes out, you're covered with the local system. If you local server goes out, the cloud takes over.



No, it's a differential system. So we send the data back and it may be a day or two behind the data you have in the cloud. But we simply put the data from the cloud back in your local system after you finish for that day. Uploading the difference between the two (most likely less than 100 MB) is a lot easier and faster than trying to send you 200GB over the Internet. Could even be a matter of minutes depending on your internet connection speed. We'll handle the logistics. Just give us a call when you're done for the day.

The reverse is also used for the initial backup. We get the majority of the data in the mail and then get the differences from your local system.

This system is geared towards people who want that double redundancy (hybrid cloud) at an affordable price. Also, for people who have a large amount of data. Most people are turning to cloud just in case they need it. That's exactly what we are providing.

I'll post the official link to the service soon.