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Author Topic: Back-up storage  (Read 2043 times)

Offline RHPConsult

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« on: August 29, 2012, 04:52:01 AM »
I have a 1TB external HD that I have had partitioned for backing-up my iMac, via SuperSuper as well as Time Machine. . . . as was also my practice with each of its predecessors.

I'm considering eliminating those partitions, to end the guesstimating how large each should be for their "assigned tasks". Are their any compelling reasons for such separation of the SD and TM files? Can they peacefully cohabit a single drive? I've partitioned my drives, always. Never considered any other alternative until installing MtnLion and looking to simplify my life.
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Offline Highmac

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« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2012, 05:46:16 AM »
Thought that springs to mind is that if that drive fails, you lose both of your backups, since it sounds as though the two partitions are on a single HD. Do you have a second backup drive as well?

More tech-minded brains will no doubt add further thoughts smile.gif
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Neil
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2012, 08:31:25 AM »
Biggest very valid problem: One drive = one mechanical device could equal no backup.

With that said, that's exactly what I have set up. wink.gif wallbash.gif No excuses, although I do put stuff on my wife's backup drive, occasionally... With the current costs of drives, it would be prudent to have a weekly backup drive rotation with the extra drive in an off-site location. Thinking.gif Maybe even at a next door neighbor's house!

Since you've already done it, you know how to set it up. I'm assuming that the old setup is still in existence?

The space requirements/partition sizes remain the main variables.
Time Machine will (eventually) use all that you give it. At that point, it will start deleting the oldest back ups. With a large enough drive/partition, that could be several years. With a much smaller drive/partition, it may never exceed several months. Size is determined by your history needs.
SupeDuper backups tend to grow rather slowly, depending on the type you have chosen. It will basically be the minimum size of whatever you have selected for backing up. The maximum would be the entire internal drive. That becomes the base line for the size. It will only grow when you add new files/apps or when current files/apps grow in size. Size of the partition depends on how actively you add files/apps or increase their sizes. I'd say a very rough minimum partition size would be twice as large as your current used space on the internal drive. You really need to read the manual for a more detailed description of how SD works with its various methods. Simply not backing up many items that can easily be replaced by re-downloading or with Recovery Disks will help keep the minimum size down considerably.
Lastly, don't forget other backups you might have in the 'cloud.' iCloud is but one place. Dropbox and similar free services are also available. Then, there are paid services like CrashPlan, etc.
The most difficult thing to do is deciding what is really irreplaceable, grand kids/family images excepted, of course!

Another topic for consideration, although not as much fun, would be storing the passwords and instructions for various apps that have important information on your computer. It would be wise to have that in written form and 'stored' with a trusted attorney or relative. All the backups in the world won't be of much use if you're not available to access them or even access your computer! eek2.gif

Or, you could use the tech "expert" Mat Honan's method?! flail.gif deadhorse.gif
« Last Edit: August 29, 2012, 09:22:58 AM by Highmac »
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Offline Highmac

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« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2012, 09:22:26 AM »
Mention of Mat Honan sent me a-searching and found How I recovered my digital life - he got back his valued family photos and videos. At a cost of $1,690.

Makes HDs cheap by comparison wink.gif
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Neil
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Offline jwboyd

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« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2012, 09:37:46 AM »
I have three external backup drives and backup to all of them daily--two manual and one scripted. One is on CarbonCopyCloner, the other two on SuperDuper. These backups have saved my bacon a few times; I have never had to pay for data recovery.

The only dumb thing about it is that all three of my backup drives are right next to my computer. One really should be stored offsite, but (famous last words?) "that would be such a hassle."

I'm curious about why SuperDuper takes twice as long as CarbonCopyCloner. I can boot from either, and data recovery/restoration seems to work equally well. It's not a problem, just a curiosity.

Joe
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2012, 10:11:05 AM »
QUOTE
why [does] SuperDuper takes twice as long as CarbonCopyCloner
To do what? Thinking.gif
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Offline Highmac

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« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2012, 10:29:52 AM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 29 2012, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
why [does] SuperDuper takes twice as long as CarbonCopyCloner
To do what? Thinking.gif


Ahh - that bit's missing wink.gif
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Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2012, 11:28:23 AM »
Since I don't have any "business" files anymore (other than  s-l-o-w-l-y  changing personal ones) I have no problem with TM's erasing the oldest record for the newest.

I had more than 1 ext HD for years, plus a duplicate of all the really key docs on my MacBook. When the MB-P was given to my grandson, I concluded, probably. foolishly, that one (OWC) storage option might be enough. I've screwed-up files by my own actions on occasion, but never have had an external fail. I'll get a second today . . . I think I saw that CostCo was having a big promotion on drives right now.

Thanks for the counsel, guys. These days, I need all the "reminders" I can get!

BTW, ADB . . . I have kept a complete roster of PWs, screen names, SN's, user names, even order nrs. etc. etc. going back to the early 90s. I was thinking the other day that a ton of them are for now obsolete apps of absolutely no value whatsoever.  Anyone actually remember  SupePraint one of my favorites from the dim past? Or, say. FAXstf (which wasn't really worth anything when it "was")!

PS: I know, I know: There are only 2 kinds of persons in the world: those whose HDs have failed and those whose HDs are about to fail!
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2012, 12:41:41 PM »
QUOTE
I have kept a complete roster of PWs, screen names, SN's, user names, even order nrs. etc. etc. going back to the early 90s.
Is that the 1890's?! eek2.gif
I think they have a show about <that kind person> on <TV>... laughhard.gif tomato.gif stop.gif scram.gif
« Last Edit: August 29, 2012, 12:46:49 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline jwboyd

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« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2012, 12:42:37 PM »
To  complete a backup.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2012, 12:55:37 PM »
QUOTE
To complete a backup...
Or not To complete a backup...
indeed, whether 'tis nobler...
WAIT! wallbash.gif that's the answer to your question, stupid! Or, reflecting on past comments, it is an answer to your stupid question? rolleyes.gif

Oh, right! Well, as I was thinking, the speed difference may be related to the method you have selected in each app. Although they use different labels/terminology for similar functions, you may be able to find the clues in their respective manuals. It may be that you have one doing 'incremental' backups' and the other doing complete re-writes of your drive. dntknw.gif Perhaps a screen shot (or two) of your two prefs/settings would shed some light (even though it would be the reflected kind)?
« Last Edit: August 29, 2012, 12:57:12 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline Jack W

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« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2012, 01:14:09 PM »
Dick,

TM & SD! backups can co-exist on the same drive.

HOWEVER, they each must have their own partitions.
They cannot share the same partition.

I rotate an SD! backup of all my data/software/HD to my Safe Deposit Box every 2-3 weeks.

Just in case of catastrophy (fire/computer meltdown/whatever).

I keep the TM drive going here in my apartment. All my (or at least the majority of) info is safe in the SDB.

FWIW,

Jack
« Last Edit: August 29, 2012, 01:14:52 PM by Jack W »
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Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2012, 02:27:55 PM »
Thanks, Jack. To the point. I 'ppreciate it

I thought that probably was the case, but so many things are achanging, these days.

I'm going to follow the advice to get another drive.

DP
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2012, 04:34:26 PM »
QUOTE
TM & SD! backups can co-exist on the same drive.

HOWEVER, they each must have their own partitions.
Yep, that's why we talked about how much space would be needed for each type on each partition, <here>. So, there's not much need to buy a huge drive if it will only have is a SD/CCC clone on it. OTOH, the larger the drive, the farther back a Time Machine backup can go.

Of course, if you start out with brand new drive(s), the 'way-back' machine will only start with that first back up. There isn't any 'history' for TM on a new drive, yet. Any TM 'history' will only be on the current drive hosting a TM backup. Now, if you want to allow TM to use the space that had been set aside for SD on that drive (I'm assuming that's what you are doing, since you mentioned you'd done it 'in the past'), simply delete that SD backup and erase that partition and adjust it's size in Disk Utility, as much as possible (it may not be possible to simply delete a partition and keep the other one dntknw.gif). This way, you'd need buy only a relatively small external for the SD/CCC backups while letting the current TM backups continue to grow.

Frankly, I think continuing the way you've done it (two different sized partitions for TM and SD) is still the way to go. Just get another drive the same size as the current one, but either use both at the same time (TM can now use multiple drives) or use it one week and take it next door and use the other one for a week, Rinse and Repeat. wink.gif
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