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What is Online or “Cloud” Backup?

To begin, let us first look at the terminology. "Cloud" is simply a metaphor for the Internet based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams and the underlying infrastructure it conceals. Cloud backup providers deliver common applications (and storage) online, which are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the providers' servers.

Online backup systems are typically built around a client software program that runs on a schedule (typically once a day). This program collects, compresses, encrypts, and transfers the data to the remote backup service provider's servers.

Typical Features of Cloud Backup

Opened file backup
The ability to backup files that are frequently left open such as Outlook, Word or database files. This feature allows IT administrators to run backup jobs at any time of the day, without requiring server down-time.

Multi-platform
A multi-platform backup service can backup multiple platforms such as Windows, Macintosh, and Linux/Unix.

Network backup
The ability to backup multiple computers, servers or Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliances on a local area network from a single computer or device.

Multi-site
Some services offer the capability to backup both data at the primary site and data located at remote offices and branch offices, in a relatively seamless manner.

Continuous Backup - Continuous Data Protection CDP
Allows the service to backup continuously or on a predefined schedule. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Most backup services are schedule-based and perform backups at a predetermined time. Some services provide continuous data backups which are used by large financial institutions and large online retailers. However, there is typically a tradeoff with performance and system resources.

Online access to files
Some services allow you to access backed-up files via a normal web browser. Many services do not provide this type of functionality.

Data compression
Data will typically be compressed with a lossless compression algorithm to minimize the amount of bandwidth used.

Differential data compression
A way to further minimize network traffic is to transfer only the binary data that has changed from one day to the next, similar to the open source file transfer service Rsync. More advanced online backup services use this method rather than transfer entire files.

Transfer Encryption
That is, encryption to prevent interception of data. This does not mean that the data will necessarily be encrypted during storage.

End-to-End Encryption
Encryption of data at the client. The encrypted data is then transmitted and stored on the server. This requires a client-generated key, and precludes data recovery should the key be lost. Depending on implementation, it may also preclude certain optimization techniques (such as recognition of common operating system files which don't need to be stored multiple times, and removal of duplicate user files across different users -'deduplication').

Bandwidth usage
User-selectable option to use more or less bandwidth; it may be possible to set this to change at various times of day.

Cost factors
Online backup services are usually priced as a function of the following things:

1. The total amount of data being backed up.
2. The number of machines covered by the backup service.
3. The maximum number of versions of each file that are kept.
4. Data retention and archiving period options
5. Managed backups vs. Unmanaged backups

Some vendors limit the number of versions of a file that can be kept in the system. Some services omit this restriction and provide an unlimited number of versions. Add-on features (plug-ins), like the ability to backup currently open or locked files, are usually charged as an extra, but some services provide this built in.

Most remote backup services reduce the amount of data to be sent over the wire by only backing up changed files. This approach to backing up means that the customers total stored data is reduced. Reducing the amount of data sent and also stored can be further drastically reduced by only transmitting the changed data bits by binary or block level incremental backups. Solutions that transmit only these changed binary data bits do not clog bandwidth by transmitting the same file data over and over again if only small amounts (ie., a date change or different address in a word document)

Advantages of Remote Backup

Remote backup has advantages over traditional backup methods:

• Remote backup does not require user intervention. The user does not have to change tapes, label CDs or perform other manual steps.
• Remote backup maintains data offsite. Perhaps the most important aspect of backing up is that backups are stored in a different location from the original data. Traditional backup requires manually taking the backup media offsite.
• Unlimited data retentions
• Some remote backup services will work continuously, backing up files as they are changed.
• Most remote backup services will maintain a list of versions of your files.
• Most remote backup services will use a 128 - 448 bit encryption to send data over unsecured links (ie., internet)
• A few remote backup services can reduce backup by only transmitting changed binary data bits

Disadvantages of Remote Backup

Remote backup has some disadvantages:

• Depending on the available network bandwidth, the restoration of data can be slow. Because data is stored offsite, the data must be recovered either via the Internet or via tape or disk shipped from the online backup service provider.
• Some backup service providers have no guarantee that stored data will be kept private - for example, from employees. As such, most recommend that files be encrypted before storing or automating this process.
• It is possible that a remote backup service provider could go out of business or be purchased, which may affect the accessibility of one's data or the cost to continue using the service.
• If the encryption password is lost, no more data recovery will be possible.
• Residential broadband services often have monthly limits that preclude large backups. They are also usually asymmetric; the user-to-network link regularly used to store backups is much slower than the network-to-user link used only when data is restored.

 

Alternatives to Cloud Backup

An effective backup strategy can sometimes mean a combination of several methods including a cloud backup solution and a client or local backup. In the case of local backup, the user might backup to an external hard drive using a backup software program like BounceBack Ultimate Instant Recovery software, and backup selected folders or files to an online service.