A Built for Broadband Internet Backup
I’ve been on a search for the perfect off-site backup service. I’ve looked at using my own servers and rsync, tried various new services like Mozy and SwapDrive, and finally came across OPENRSM CloudBackup. I’ll cover the network drive features in another article later. We’ll simply concentrate on the Internet backup functions for now.
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 don’t hold back on the features and charge just .00. So, if your going to back up a 80GB of data we can anticipate a little less than for the cost.
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 since you can use the same account to backup all your Windows, MAC, and Linux computers this is a no brainer.
First, the downsides. OPENRSM CloudBackup must be running in order to back up your systems. 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 runs as a Windows Service, and an OSX and Linux Daemon which isn’t a bad thing. Also, as with any online backup service, it only goes as fast as your internet connection.
There is a bandwidth choke, so you can control back on upload and/or download speeds according to your needs. Everything else just works. 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. And 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 pictures and videos, so it’s a good thing 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 agencies have to keep files safe and it’s about as hefty a method as you’ll need for online backup. This means that your files, folders, videos, etc. arn’t going to be stolen. That’s just hotter than 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 happy with OPENRSM CloudBackup as a service. When doing backups, CPU usage has been minimal, and on my cable modem, web and email speeds haven’t suffered at all, if any. And if I need to it’s no problem to pause and resume my Internet backups.
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.
