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