| If you have two or more computers at home | | | | The downside that many people don’t |
| that are wired together to share resources, | | | | update their backups often enough and |
| then you have a home computer network. Anyone | | | | frequently the discs become lost or damaged |
| who uses a computer, which encompasses almost | | | | due to inadequate storage practices. |
| everyone, should be aware of the need to back | | | | |
| up important data. There are options | | | | The next step up is to create a server to |
| available for network data storage that may | | | | store backup files for all of the computers |
| not be available for the single computer. The | | | | on the network. A server is simply a hard |
| first step in deciding how to conform your | | | | drive, and software is available for small |
| network data storage is to determine the type | | | | home networks. There are also |
| of backup you should use. Usually a backup is | | | | network-attached storage (NAS) devices which |
| done by making a copy of all of the existing | | | | act as a dedicated backup server. The benefit |
| files, like a snapshot in time, and then | | | | here is that the software can be set to |
| adding backups of the changes as they occur. | | | | automatically perform backup procedures at |
| The other decision to make is the location of | | | | regular intervals. The drawback is that the |
| where to keep the backups. | | | | backups are in the same place as the |
| | | | computers, and may fall victim to whatever |
| Here, There and Everywhere | | | | type of disaster makes it necessary to use |
| | | | the backups. |
| If you don’t store very much on your | | | | |
| home computer network, you may be able to | | | | Finally, there are remote services that will |
| manage your home network data storage project | | | | automatically use the Internet for home |
| on DVD’s. With a small amount of | | | | network data storage. Once signed up, the |
| information needing backup, you might just | | | | user is charged according to the amount of |
| use rewritable DVD’s and make a full | | | | storage is needed. The benefit is that data |
| copy of chosen files as needed. If there is | | | | is stored remotely and the updates are |
| one or more computers on your network that is | | | | automatic. Drawbacks are that large amounts |
| primarily used for internet use, email, web | | | | of data can be costly and that it’s |
| surfing and games, then the need for data | | | | only as reliable as the company. The decision |
| backup is limited. The benefit of this type | | | | on the type of home network data storage to |
| of home network data storage is that you have | | | | use is based on the needs and resources of |
| control over whether or not to back up a file | | | | the network users. |
| and you choose how often to do the backups. | | | | |