Remote Backup Service - Typical Features

Typical Features

Encryption

Data should be encrypted before it is sent across the internet, and it should be stored in its encrypted state. Encryption should be at least 256 bits, and the user should have the option of using his own encryption key, which should never be sent to the server.

Network backup

A backup service supporting network backup can back up multiple computers, servers or Network Attached Storage appliances on a local area network from a single computer or device.

Continuous backup - Continuous Data Protection

Allows the service to back up 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 trade-off with performance and system resources.

File-by-File Restore

The ability for users to restore files themselves, without the assistance of a Service Provider by allowing the user select files by name and/or folder. Some services allow users to select files by searching for filenames and folder names, by dates, by file type, by backup set, and by tags.

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.

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.

Off-Line Backup

Off-Line Backup allows along with and as part of the online backup solution to cover daily backups in time when network connection is down. at this time the remote backup software must perform backup onto a local media device like a tape drive, a disk or another server . the minute network connection restored remote backup software will update the remote datacenter with the changes coming out of the off-line backup media .

Synchronization

Many services support data synchronization allowing users to keep a consistent library of all their files across many computers. The technology can help productivity and increase access to data.