backup solution?

[gusl]

I think the best way to backup my data is to get a second external HD, and run a monthly backup between the two externals.

However, I'd prefer to avoid copying the entire disk every time. I would like something that keeps a changelog (to keep track of new files, renamings, etc), so that updating the second drive avoids unnecessary copying.

I use Win XP.

Comments

[radiata-prime.livejournal.com]

rsync

[radiata-prime.livejournal.com]

I think you should use a networked drive myself, that periodically syncs via cron or Windows Task Scheduler or whatnot. There's always the online backup options as well. I'd like to think my personal data is worth $60 a year. If you like the pretty graphical stuff, I suppose something like Allway Sync will do. AMANDA (which my college roommate contributed heavily towards) is the most widely used open source solution.

[gustavolacerda.livejournal.com]

how much storage do you get for $60/year?

[gustavolacerda.livejournal.com]

hey, did you get my previous question? I'm considering whether to buy an external HD today. Thanks.

[peamasii.livejournal.com]

use backup software like Acronis, it does incremental backups

[the-locster.livejournal.com]

I use http://syncdir.sourceforge.net/ and sync with an external HD connected via eSATA (faster than USB2). One downside of eSATA is that the HD has to be on and connected at PC boot time. You might prefer the on-the-fly capability of USB.

Really important stuff also gets archived to a USB stick and somewhere online or at work - in case a fire or burglaray means my external HD is lost along with my PC. In that sense the external HD is really just acting as backup upon the inevitable failure of the PC HD.