I've been looking for a suitable backup plan for some time now, reviewing a number of options. Until very recently, my Internet connection has been relatively slow, and I've wanted to avoid a large upload across a slow connection. As such, I have created a backup plan with two Apple Time Capsules used in rotation, with one unit kept offsite. As discussed in previous articles about backups, one should have multiple backups, one of which is off-site. I also want to keep control of my backups, and am wary of cloud solutions, in part due to mast being located in the USA, rather than Canada, and the ongoing costs associated with long term maintenance and the initial upload. I've reviewed a number of options, and feel that a backup solution by Code 42 named CrashPlan may work for many folks.
CrashPlan allows backups to four locations:
- a local drive. This might be an external drive connected to your computer
- another computer on your local network
- CrashPlan servers for a monthly fee
- in encrypted form on the computer of a friend or family member
It is this last option which most interested me. Not only does this option allow me, and some friends to offer space on each other's computers to back up important files, we can do it at low cost. In addition, CrashPlan allows you to create the initial backup at home, connected to your network or computer, then physically transport that disk to your friend's home, and continue to backup changes over the Internet. This saves an immense amount of time, as the initial file creation occurs at very high speed, and at little or no cost. The initial backup can either be on a disk you purchase and leave at your friends, or you can copy the files from a disk you end up retaining at your home. For instance, you could create a backup on a disk, and take to to your friend's house, copy the backup to his computer, than take the disk home again and use it to maintain your local backup - making three copies - one on your Hard Disk, one on your external disk, and the third at your friends. This allows you to quickly retrieve files from your home disk, but also have the additional backup at your friend's place if something disastrous were to happen to your copies.
CrashPlan backups can be saved to an internal HDD, and external DAS, or depending on your operating system to a Networked Drive (NAS).