December 24, 2008
Online Backup that’s Broadband Ready
I’ve been on a quest for the perfect off-site backup service. I’ve looked at using my own servers and rsync, tried various cheap services like Mozy and SwapDrive, and finally came across OPENRSM CloudBackup. This review is of the backup features, and does not cover the network drive features (I’m saving that for a later article, but suffice it to say it’s great).
This is the bottom line. The software is free, and that’s good for lifetime updates and unlimited installs that share a single account. They only charge $4.00 and have a feature list that’s enterprise grade. If you want to store 60GB you can expect a cost of a little less than $8.00.
OPENRSM CloudBackup is the online backup tool you simply have to have. The ability to do block-level updates and upload resume are both key to cutting down bandwidth costs. And one account can back up all your Linux, MAC, and Windows computers which makes backup a cinch.
First, we’ll cover the down sides: OPENRSM CloudBackup has to be running for backups to occur. It will wake your computer from sleep, but if your user is not logged in or OPENRSM CloudBackup is not running, the backup will be delayed or skipped. It operates as a Windows Service, Linux Daemon, and OSX Daemon as well which is pretty good. Just like any other online backup… It can only backup as fast as your broadband carrier allows.
There is a bandwidth control, so you can adjust back on upload and/or download speeds according to your usage. Everything else is perfect. You can create multiple backup jobs, choose the files you want to back up, set up rules and schedules. Having the option of removing files I delete on my own systems and rulesets for keeping previous versions of changed files are all advanced features.
For my first month of backups, I expected a bill of around $30. But it didn’t cost anything extra at all (I only had 32GB once I remembered to delete my temporary files folders). Considering that this is including a first-time upload that I won’t have in subsequent months, that was a pleasant suprise. I have loads of images and home movies, so it’s handy to get those backed up off-site in addition to my regular backups.
One truly unbelievable feature that may go unnoticed is that OPENRSM CloudBackup implements 256bit AES Encryption. That’s what alot of government entities use to keep files safe and it’s about as tight a system as you’ll find for online backup. This means that your files, folders, videos, etc. arn’t going to be stolen. That’s just so cool it’s hot. And when you use it on multiple computers, it keeps each computers data totally seperated. And if you have to restore, just make sure to use the same system name on the rebuilt machine and CloudBackup will do the rest.
I’ve been so impressed with OPENRSM CloudBackup as a service/application combo. When doing backups, CPU usage has been minimal, and on my cable modem, web and email speeds haven’t been noticably different at all, if any. And if I ever do it’s simple to use bandwidth throttling to let me do other things while my online backup goes on uninterrupted.
The ability to use this on OS X, Windows and Linux has proven to be a godsend, allowing me to keep the number of solutions needed to maintain my home network and development projects low.
Tags: voip, Voip Telephony, free voip, internet telephony, Voip Business Phone System
Inexpensive, easy to install and simple-to-use, the SPA2102 connects a standard telephone or fax machine to IP-based data networks. VoIP service providers can offer residential and business users traditional and enhanced communication services via the customer’s broadband connection to the Internet.
To learn more about ooma and how it works, view the quick start guide or the user guide.
