tcarp wrote:

> Thanks for the post on the files and folders.
>
>> There are two different ways to approach backup. To get back a completely
>> working install, configured exactly the way you want, you should use an
>> imaging program like Acronis True Image. Purchase an external hard drive
>> and store the images on it. True Image can also do incremental backups.
>
> I'm duplicating some questions on a couple threads here, but I'm updating
> my understanding about backup strategies and tools and am trying to keep
> the threads focused on specific subjects.
>
> I've been using a file/folder backup tool (Retrospect) for some time now
> for our Mac and both our PC laptops so I'm fairly familiar with running
> those
> types of backups. I'm beginning to learn that there are also
> clone/imaging tools out there too like the one you mentioned.
>
> Since it appears you run both types, can you comment on what I think I
> understand about the differences.
>
> From what I can tell, clone/imaging tools create an exact duplicate of the
> files being backed up on another HD or on a partition on the internal HD.
> I think some or all of them also allow for the creation of the boot
> capabilities on these backups and it sounds like some or all allow for
> incrementals.
>
> Since the data is not compressed or put into a single file, I'm assuming
> the only "price" paid is for HD space.
>
> Since file/folder backups essentially accomplish the same thing as the
> clone/image backups why would you have both (unless, of course, you were
> using the tool in a business environment where recovery speed was at a
> premium)? I understand that it's only about $50 for imaging and $30 or so
> for file/folder tools so it's not the cost. I'm working on my whole
> backup strategy and what to understand the "why" behind the design.

Cloning does exactly what it says: makes an exact image of a drive. Cloning
is normally used when replacing an entire hard drive.

Imaging does exactly what it says: makes an image of a drive or a partition.
The image is compressed.

For more exact information about cloning and imaging, go to Acronis's
website (which I already gave you) and read about it there. You don't have
to purchase that particular program just because I like it; there are
others. But Acronis has good information about the whole concept that will
answer your questions more thoroughly than I can in a newsgroup.

Backing up files/folders does not accomplish the same purpose as imaging at
all.

Probably for a small mixed operating system network like yours, I would:

1. Have a central NAS to hold images and backups (Google it) or use Apple's
new Time Capsule.

2. Run Second Copy on one of the Windows machines, create profiles to back
up all pertinent stuff on all the other Windows boxen, and funnel all the
backups to one backup folder on the NAS/Time Capsule. This makes burning to
DVD very easy since everything is now in one place.

3. Occasionally image the Windows machines with True Image so you can get
back to a working system in minutes instead of hours. Store the images on
the NAS/Time Capsule.

4. For the Macs, use Time Machine with the NAS (if supported, I honestly
don't remember if it is). Obviously Time Machine works with Time Capsule.
For my MacBook, I also use Super Duper regularly so I can get back easily
and quickly to a working system. I prefer that aspect of Super Duper to
Time Machine although of course I run Time Machine too.

Hope that helped,


Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!