Backup with CDRW? 1

[kphu]

Hi All,

Were currently doing backups with DAT tapes. If the amount of data being backed up wasn't an issue i.e. less than 750MB, I was wondering if its recommended that you back up using a CDRW?

 

[Tranman]

After doing a bunch of research and downloading several trial versions, I bought a copy of Stomp BackupMyPC ($48.50 from

http://www.futurecomputers.com/free

shipping). This software is a new version of what was formerly Veritas Backup Exec Desktop, and is able to back up to tape or CD(R or R/W). My thought was with the price of CD-R being what it is, it is easier to just use CD-R and throw them away when they are stale, rather than go through the exercise of erasing/formatting R/W disks.

The software can append to CD-R, so if you have a scheme where you run a full, then a series of differential or incremental backups, it will continue to use the same disk until it runs out of space. You can also backup over small networks, which sold me for my home office. The interface is pretty intuitive (I didn't even have to look in the manual to install and run the software).

At work, I do backups on 7 servers, using enterprise-type backup software, and the Stomp was the one I found to have the most of the features I wanted at a reasonable price.

I think you will find that the CD backups are much more reliable than DAT, which I had endless problems with.

Good Luck,
Paul