Remote Backup

Remote Backup is used to describe a process where backup copies are not stored locally, nor in an external drive at the same location but at a server or storage media located in another building, city, state or even country.

Remote backups are the safest way to know that you’ll always have access to your backups as even if a building falls down with all your data in it, you can still retrieve your backups or have them shipped to you.

Some years ago, remote backups where usually generated locally and then shipped to safe keeping remote locations as that was faster than creating them and uploading them using any network or the Internet, however with broadband Internet connections, it’s easier and faster now to just upload them and it will save some money as there aren’t any shipping or media expenses.

Remote backups are usually stored in file storage servers so that they are easily retrieved when needed, although some specialized providers will still offer a physical backup copy as a value added service.

When a backup is created locally it’s uploaded to the remote server using some special programs or common protocols and it can also be retrieved that way. In order to have a place to store your remote backup you can sign up with an online backup service provider or get your own server at a decent datacenter.

Even though remote backups seem like something that only the most hysterical system administrators would use, it’s quickly becoming a common practice among companies as they understand the real value of their information and therefore will take all necessary steps to safe guard it. What would happen if the IRS suddenly lost all your income tax returns? Would they ask everyone to resubmit them? Or would they just forgive and forget? None of those scenarios is realistic, and they know it, that’s why there are more than one remote backup copies of that kind of information. Now, you may say “my information isn’t that important” but hey, is it possible to re-live last Christmas dinner? No one can actually put a price tag on your information other than yourself, so it’s up to you to decide which one works for you.