Creative backup solutions for every situation

By Selena Frye December 2, 2010, 5:04 AM PST

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Creative backup solutions for every situation

Backupninja for Linux

Backupninja is a unique tool in that it doesn’t actually have a full-blown GTK+ or QT GUI. Instead it has an ncurses-based GUI that is, thankfully, just as easy to use as any other. The GUI, however, only applies to the creation of backup sets. For the overall configuration, you’re going to have to edit that text-based configuration file. But fear not, the installation and setup is quite easy. See Spotlight: Backupninja for Linux.

CloudBerry Online Backup

CloudBerry Online Backup provides easy configuration and ready data access to any system administrator through its user-friendly interface. Any critical system can be easily restored with the click of the mouse. Also, with versioning control, CloudBerry is able to retrieve an edit completed more than one revision ago. See Spotlight: CloudBerry Online Backup for Amazon S3.

Dropbox for Mac, Windows, Linux

Dropbox is a convenient, automatic backup system that works on your Macs, as well as Windows and Linux PCs. It allows easy access to files through a Web interface and helps you keep files synced. See Cross-platform Dropbox provides easy backups and file-syncing between computers.

Kleo Full Metal Backup

Kleo Full Metal Backup is for any administrator that wants to have a full-blown GUI backup tool that is capable of backing up full partitions to either CD/DVD or a network location. It’s simple to use, reliable, and doesn’t stop at just backing up a system (you boot into a full-fledged operating system). See Spotlight: Kleo Bare Metal Backup.

LuckyBackup for Linux

With LuckyBackUp the Linux user has the ability to do different types of multiple backups with a simple GUI interface. These backups can be scheduled, as well as be full backups or synchronized. And what’s best is that LuckyBackUp doesn’t require years of Linux experience to work. In fact, LuckyBackUp is easy enough for nearly any level of experience, so users of all levels can have reliable backups. See Review: LuckyBackup for Linux systems.

Maxtor Business Edition Central Axis

The Maxtor Business Edition Central Axis backup solution is perfect for any small to medium sized business needing automated backup of PCs or Macs into one centralized location. The Central Axis takes this process one step further and automates the process of data mirroring within the device so your data is secure. See Spotlight: Maxtor Central Axis Business Edition NAS.

Paragon Drive Backup 10

Paragon Drive Backup 10 Workstation provides desktop administrators with a very robust feature set for performing system backups. Power users and desktop support technicians will also appreciate it, particularly for its ability to migrate a system from one hardware platform to another as well as a P2V conversion. See Spotlight: Paragon Drive Backup 10 Workstation.

Remote Data Backups service

Remote Data Backups offers businesses of all sizes proven back up services. Every organization, from single-site nonprofit operations to large multinational corporations, will find a Remote Data Backups plan tailored to their needs. From single sites needing to back up just 250MB of data to enterprise environments needing to safely secure 100GB-250GB worth of files, including SQL and Exchange server data, a wide range of back up service plans are available. See Review: Remote Data Backups service.

SugarSync

It is not a straight-forward exercise to categorize SugarSync, probably because it attempts to do so many things. It does them well though, and users looking for a reliable backup application that synchronizes in real-time to the cloud will find it here. In addition, its inherent versioning capabilities, as well as support for multiple computers, will endear it to business users and IT managers alike. See Spotlight: SugarSync Online Backup.

SuperDuper for Mac

While the name might be a little corny, the program itself is no flake. SuperDuper for the Mac restores from backups flawlessly. It can be used when hard drives fail, when cloning one drive to another to upgrade to larger drives, or when changing hardware (i.e., upgrading a laptop or upgrading from an old Mac Mini to a newer one). See Vincent Danen’s post Get flawless system backups with SuperDuper for the Mac.

SyncToy 2.1

Because SyncToy does not have a built-in scheduler component, I have a hard time recommending this tool for larger businesses. Although you can, with the help of the Microsoft Task Scheduler, set up a scheduled backup with SyncToy, for enterprise users who require a dependable, regular backup scheme I would look for another option. For those that do not mind using an external application to handle the scheduling of SyncToy, this application is outstanding. Not only is it easy to use, it is reliable. See Jack Wallen’s review Spotlight: SyncToy 2.1 file synchronization.

Windows 7's Backup and Restore

In Windows 7, Microsoft has retooled the backup utility and brought back the ability to choose exactly which files and folders you want to back up with Windows 7’s Backup and Restore. See the tutorial Microsoft bows to feedback and brings back real file backup in Windows 7.

Windows Server Backup

Although there was a period of time when Exchange and Windows Server Backup didn’t work together, with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010, this is not the case, and the backup and recovery of Exchange using Windows Server Backup is a relatively simple process. See the tutorial Back up Microsoft Exchange 2010 with Windows Server Backup.

By Selena Frye

Selena Frye is a former Senior Editor for TechRepublic. Her background is in technical writing, editing, and research. I edit the Data Center, Linux and Open Source, Apple in the Enterprise, and IT Security blogs.

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