Backup Strategies and Systems

Data loss is very common, due both to hardware failure and user error. If your data is important to you, it's critical that you have a system in place to manage backups. We offer a variety of solutions to fit the needs of both individuals and businesses. Solutions range from a simple, single-drive Time Machine backup to network-wide systems with off-site backup, multiple drives in rotation, and professional backup software. One popular method is a mirrored drive: if your internal hard drive fails, you just boot from the mirror and everything is right back to where it had been the night before.

Pictured at right is the hard drive docking station that we stock. In a backup system utilizing multiple hard drives in rotation, these allow you to save money buy purchasing only one drive interface. Higher end devices are also available.

When we implement a backup system for a customer we install a utility on each of their machines to monitor the S.M.A.R.T. status (an indicator of health) on their internal hard drive. If the S.M.A.R.T. status should indicate that your drive is failing you'll receive an alert on your computer screen and we'll receive an email. The S.M.A.R.T. indicator is far from perfect, but this early warning system often allows us to replace a faulty hard drive and keep you up and running without any downtime.

Contact us if you'd like to discuss your backup strategy.