| In the first part of this article series, I talked about | | | | your files to a web server is certainly an option.The |
| the three main threats to the data on your | | | | limitation to this data backup solution usually revolves |
| computer. I talked about the need for a data backup | | | | around the cost for the web server storage. While it |
| solution that protects your data properly. In this | | | | is usually cost effective for up to 2 GB of data, it |
| article, I'll outline the most common data backup | | | | isn't appropriate for backing up an entire hard drive |
| solution options available to you.A simple data backup | | | | worth of data.In House Hardware Data Backup |
| solutionA simple way to backup your data is to save | | | | SolutionsAnother data backup solution is to equip |
| everything to CD. By burning your vital information to | | | | your computers with RAID compatible motherboards |
| a CD-ROM, you can have another copy of your data | | | | and install multiple hard drives in each computer. This |
| if something goes wrong with your computer. Burning | | | | option protects your computers from hard drive |
| your data to a CD-ROM will provide rudimentary data | | | | crashes. It will usually require the services of a |
| backup protection. There are some problems with | | | | computer hardware technician to setup. Done |
| this approach however.Burning your files regularly to | | | | properly, it can pretty much protect you from all |
| CD requires human intervention and effort. It isn't | | | | hardware failure type data loss.This solution doesn't |
| automatic. You have to take time out of your | | | | usually protect you from theft as the extra hard |
| schedule to do it. People get busy, things happen and | | | | drives for RAID storage are usually installed in your |
| before you know it, you haven't done a data backup | | | | computer or in other equipment on site. It usually |
| in over a month then BAM! Your data is lost.The | | | | won't protect you from fire either so this method |
| second major threat to using CD's as your data | | | | does have its limitations.Use a combination of all three |
| backup solution is that there are limitations to CD | | | | data backup solutionsFor maximum protection, you |
| media. The first is that they won't survive a fire. If | | | | should consider using a combination of all three data |
| your place or office burns down and you've stored | | | | backup solutions for maximum protection. Burn critical |
| your CD's on site, your data is gone too. The second | | | | documents to CD on a regular basis. Get a web |
| problem with CD media is that the media itself | | | | hosting account with lots of storage and upload |
| degrades over time. A recent study found that even | | | | critical files to the web server. With this option |
| CD's that were advertised to last for 100 years were | | | | however, keep in mind that unless the data is |
| loosing data after just two or three years.Burning | | | | encrypted on your end, an administrator of the web |
| your data to CD is certainly much better than doing | | | | server could potentially access all your data.Finally, |
| nothing but it has limitations.Saving Data to a Web | | | | along with burning a CD and using an off site web |
| ServerWith the advent of inexpensive online data | | | | server, get a qualified computer technician to install a |
| storage options, it is now possible to archive your | | | | RAID system in your computer systems. If cost is |
| most crucial data online. This option potentially | | | | an issue, get at least one of your computers installed |
| protects you from theft and it is an off site option | | | | with a RAID capable hard drive and at least one |
| so it protects you from fire. The only way theft | | | | other hard drive.Using these three data backup |
| could risk your data is if your computers are not | | | | solutions, you will minimize the risk to your data and |
| password protected by default and you choose to | | | | to your livelihood.Joe Duchesne is the webmaster of |
| save all your passwords automatically in your | | | | a computer hardware information site. Reprint freely |
| applications. If this is the case, someone who gains | | | | as long as you maintain the live keyword rich links in |
| physical access to your computers could certainly | | | | this resource box. |
| gain access to your data. This issue aside, saving | | | | |