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From: taxchat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:taxchat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael S. Mermelstein, CPA
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:47 PM
To: taxchat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [taxchat] Great Backup System
I don't think most backup systems will allow for the system and program files to be reinstalled. Generally, not worth backing them up. An image program (like Acronis) will.A multi-prong approach is a necessity. You should utilize offsite storage of some sort. We chose online because I don't want to have to remember to change tapes, archive tapes and remember to bring them back for rotation etc..In addition to our server RAID system, we have an online data backup and 3 external harddrives. Acronis creates a MWF image to one drive and a TuThSa image to another, then a monthly archived image to a 3rd. All this is done automatically and for relative pennies.FWIW, our workstations pretty much function as terminals. No data stored. So at the beginning of each tax station, we image each staff member's workstation to one external drive. Then, when things are crazy and a workstation crashes, which is when they tend to do that, we pop in a new drive, reimage, and it's up and running in minutes.Michael S. Mermelstein, CPAMiami, FL
From: taxchat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:taxchat@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of John Stevens, Equi-Tax
Sent: 11/20/2008 Thu 12:36 PM
To: taxchat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [taxchat] Great Backup System
Mel,
- I don’t know technically what type of storage it is, but I asked the rep at Quantum whether I could reproduce all applications and data from the cartridge onto a new hard drive, and he said yes. They use a term called, data deduplication. Here’s from the manual:
“The GoVault data protection software is an archiving/capacity-
optimization application designed for use with removable GoVault cartridges. To better optimize the long-term storage of digital content, the GoVault data protection software uses innovative technology to virtually eliminate redundant information stored for a given set of data.
The GoVault data protection software uses a heuristic approach to optimally segment data, and Common Content Factoring™ to uniquely identify each segment and store it only once. For a given version of a set of data, new segments are stored along with metadata used to reconstruct this version from these new segments and possibly other segments stored at earlier points in time.
By factoring out common data, the effective capacity of a GoVault cartridge is significantly increased without loss of functionality and with increased performance of the archiving system. In short, the GoVault data protection software makes long-term disk-based archiving fast, easy, and affordable.”
And from another part of the manual:
“Using Windows System Recovery
The GoVault data protection software is a data protection application, intended to backup and recover your important data files. It is not intended and will not function as a system recovery tool.
Always use the Windows System Recovery utility to restore your computer operating system and installed applications.
Also, after performing an Everything type restore operation, use Windows System Recovery if you encounter any irregularities with you operating system or applications.”
From that I would interpret that if you are trying to restore your operating system from the cartridge, you may also need to restore it from your CD if it doesn’t seem right.
- I agree that a multipronged approach is advisable. They do advise doing test restores. They say to replace cartridges after 10 years.
The thing that influenced me more than anything else to try the system is the fact that Rick Oelerich uses it. He’s been in the business for about 35 years, and is very tech savvy.
John Stevens, EA
Stevens Tax & Accounting, Inc., dba Equi-Tax
1870 - 50th St. E., Suite 8
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
651-773-5000
FAX 651-457-4529
equitax@unique-software. com
www.equitax.net
From:
taxchat@yahoogroups [mailto:.com taxchat@yahoogroups ] On Behalf Of Mel Wolfson.com
Sent: 11/20/2008 10:45 AM
To:taxchat@yahoogroups .com
Subject: RE: [taxchat] Great Backup System
What type of storage does the cartridge use?
My feeling is that you need a multipronged approach. Any one system you're using could be failing and you might not know that this is happening. Did they suggest doing a test restore on a regular interval and replacing the cartridges on a scheduled basis? Both might be prudent if that's the only thing you use.
As for on line backup, I think the security issues are not that great if you upload encrypted data to which only you have the key.
From:
taxchat@yahoogroups [mailto:.com taxchat@ ] On Behalf Of John Stevens, Equi-Taxyahoogroups. com
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:25 AM
To:taxchat@yahoogroups ; '.com TaxTalk Listserv Members '
Subject: [taxchat] Great Backup SystemHello all,
I recently attended the Gear Up Technology seminar. One of the instructors, Rick Oelerich, EA, recommended a system from Quantum called GoVault. He said you can back up your entire hard drive, applications and data. He said the first backup takes awhile, but after that it only takes a few minutes because it only adds new files or changed files. I decided to try it. The first backup took a full 24 hours to get 42 GB. Now it only takes 13 minutes. I do it at the end of the day and take the backup cartridge home. If the computer’s hard drive would fail, I could be up and running very quickly with the backup cartridge, which could be copied to a new hard drive. There are 2 models to the system, an internal dock, or an external dock that plugs into a USB port, and a variety of cartridge sizes, ranging from 40 GB up to 320 GB. I got 2 160 GB cartridges. I also use a mirrored hard drive to give me up-to-the minute backup, but the problem with that is that if the hard drive begins to fail, the mirrored drive will be recording identically.
I was backing up to an external hard drive connected to a USB port. It would back up during the night and take about 2 hours. I would then exchange it with a second drive in the morning, and repeat the process. I like the new system better because I get an immediate backup that I can take off site right away.
Both instructors at the seminar, Carl Heinz, CPA, and Rick Oelerich, EA, did not like backing up online because of security issues. John Stevens, EA
Stevens Tax & Accounting, Inc., dba Equi-Tax1870 - 50th St. E., Suite 8 , Inver Grove Heights MN 55077
651-773-5000
FAX 651-457-4529
equitax@unique-software. com
www.equitax.net
IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: Unless expressly stated otherwise in this transmission, any tax advice contained herein, forwarded with or attached to this message was not and is not intended to be used, nor may it be relied upon or used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of (1) the avoidance of any tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax transaction or tax-related matters that may be addressed herein.
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