What to Look for in a Data Backup Software

You need backup software that is reliable and simple to use or you won’t use it. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate data backup software:

Feature Set – Backup software features should go beyond standard copying of data files; backup software should be flexible enough to meet your needs. First-rate data backup software allows you to schedule both full and custom backups; backup only what you want and when you want.
Ease of Use – A computer novice should be able to install and use the backup software without help. The control panel should be intuitive, convenient and should offer easy backup scheduling for automated backups.
Some backup programs are designed for advanced computer users, not novices; we comment on this in the backup software reviews.

Backup and Restore – Your backup should be simple to set up and easy to restore. Accessing restored data should be automatic, and the backup should preserve original data files and paths. Restored backup files that don’t preserve original file organization are nearly worthless; you’ll have to reorganize all your restored data to access it conveniently.
Consider self-checking backup software that compares the backup to the original to verify accuracy (backup verification). Look for backup software with a range of backup choices: full, incremental, differential and individual file backups. A complete system backup (Image Backup) is also a valuable asset, as is the ability to create a boot disk.

Also, consider backup software that can compress data for compact storage. If security is an issue, choose backup software that protects with passwords and encryption.

Help Documentation – Backing up and restoring your data can be complex. Help files should offer clear, step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips. The language should be simple to understand and the help information should be well organized so you can find answers fast.
Whether its corrupted data, viruses, or your computer just calls it quits, with the right data backup software, you’ve got it covered.

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Why Data Backup Software?

As computers play a bigger role in our lives, the information we store on them becomes increasingly important. For small businesses, data loss can be disastrous; for home computers, it can be heart-breaking.

Most of us know how important it is to backup files, but don’t know how to begin. Today’s backup software makes protecting your data easier and more convenient than ever before—giving you the tools to perform backups how, where and when your needs require.

But, as with all software, the data backup choices are as diverse as the people who use them. Choosing the right backup program can be complex and confusing-that’s where we can help.

In this site, you’ll find articles on data backup and comprehensive reviews to help you make an informed decision on which data backup software is right for you.

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IBM introduces LTO-4 technology

IBM last week bolstered its tape storage portfolio with new media, encryption and data retention capabilities, as well as a new virtual tape library that makes backing up data a more efficient affair.

The company announced that it will ship LTO Generation 4 tape drives, which are 50% faster and double the capacity of the previous LTO-3. The LTO-4 cartridges have a capacity of 1.6TB. In addition these LTO-4 tape-drives feature encryption capabilities, allowing customers to protect their data at rest and reduce the need for additional encryption appliances. You can purchase IBM LTO-4 drives with encryption from Quantum Corp. who utilize this technology in their enterprise class libraries like the SCALAR i500.

LTO-4 Tapes

LTO or Linear Tape Open is a magnetic tape data media that was initiated and developed by IBM, Quantum, Seagate and Hewlett-Packard in order to counter Sony’s AIT tape LTO Ultrium tape uses a single reel to maximize storage capacity and thus is better suited for archival use.  An industry organization today announced a new version of the ultra-compatible Linear Tape Open specification that adds encryption and offers greater performance and capacity than previous versions.   The LTO Program, led by HP, IBM and Quantum, launched the fourth-generation LTO specification, which vendors will implement in their tape drives and media in the first half of 2007. 

LTO 4 is an interoperable tape specification that lets tapes written on HP drives be recovered on IBM gear, for example. The specification also ensures devices can read data from LTO 2 and LTO 3 tapes and write data to LTO 3 tape media.

LTO accounts for as much as 82% of the mid-range tape market, says research firm IDC. The specification was first introduced in 2000. A number of vendors including Maxell, Imation, TDK, Sony and Fujifilm manufacture LTO tape cartridges.  

The LTO 4 specification adds AES 256 encryption at the drive level and enables faster performance than LTO 3. LTO 4 drives can operate at 120M bytes/sec; LTO 3 drives operate at 80M bytes/sec.

In addition the capacity of an LTO 4 cartridge is double that of an LTO 3 cartridge. LTO 4 supports 800GB uncompressed capacity — which is equivalent to the contents of 300 DVD movies. For comparison purposes, the Library of Congress collections could fit on six LTO 4 cartridges.

LTO 4 also supports Write-Once, Read-Many capability, which was first introduced in LTO 3.