Z-DBackup is there to protect a user from accidental data loss, which might occur because of inadvertent file deletion, physical damage, hard- and software errors, fire, water, overvoltage, theft etc. Due to its modular design, it allows the user to create backups to a large variety of target mediums.

Backup to Floppy Discs

• Simple and cheap (no additional hardware costs)
• But time-consuming and cumbersome
• Floppies are rather vulnerable to outside influences
• Not advisable for data larger than one floppy (1.44 MB)!
• Since the advent of USB flash drives, no-one needs a floppy drive any more.

Backup to Hard Disk

• A backup to an internal hard drive is still better than none at all.
• Simple and fast

• Considerations: Fixed internal hard drives are also vulnerable to anything which might destroy your original data – physical damage, fire, water, overvoltage, theft etc. In a case of emergency, you lose your backups along with your original data, and might be faced with ruin! Therefore, only use external hard drives.

Backup to External USB Hard Disc

• Small, light and robust
• Simple and fast
• Considerations:
  - Who has then access to the data?
  - Use a backup encryption with a secure password!
  - How is the external drive protected from outside influences?

Backup to USB Flash Drive

• By now a cost-effective, interesting alternative
• Usable just as a normal drive
• However, not suitable as the only backup method!
• Very small, that makes it practical for transporting, but implies a higher risk of loss.
• Considerations:
  - Who has then access to the data?
  - Use a backup encryption with a secure password!

Backup to Removable Hard Drive

• If you install a removable hard disk drawer in your company and also in your home, you can just take the hard drive from the office home with you, and vice-versa.
• If you only use the exchangeable hard disk, you still need another backup medium.

Backup to Tapes

According to a survey by Symantec, 64 % of IT professionals rely exclusively on tape backups, but interestingly, another 32,5 % of respondents combine tape and hard disc backups.

• Easy with our add-on module Z-DATdump for tape drives (TRAVAN, DAT, QIC, MLR, AIT, LTO, DLT, VXA, DDS, SLR)
• Hardware costs from ca. 500,00 €
• Tapes cost between 3 and 30 € depending on type and capacity
• Fully automatic backups possible
• An excellent choice for regular (e.g. daily) backups!

Backup to CD/DVD or Blu-Ray

• Requires the add-on module Z-DataDVD
• CD/DVD burners are available from ca. 50 €
• CD/DVD blanks from ca. 1 €
• Rewritable mediums are worth considering (CD-RW and especially DVD-RAM)!
• A good choice for e.g. weekly backups.

Backup to ZIP Drive

• ZIP drives are available as internal and external devices (IDE, SCSI, S-ATA and USB)
• The hardware costs about 50 € depending on type and capacity (100, 250 or 750 MB)
• The mediums cost between 6 € and 15 €
• Easy handling, just like a normal drive. 

Backup to Iomega® REV (discontinued)

• Hardware used to cost from ca. 200 €
• REV drives can still be obtained in good, used state; mediums are still manufactured and sold
• Removable mediums cost from 45 € for capacities of about 35 GB
• Easy handling, just like a normal drive
• Shown in Windows Explorer as a normal removable drive
• An alternative to conventional tape drives:
  - Fast – Back up and restore data with up to eight times the speed of a tape drive
  - Flexible – Small medium size allows for easy off-site-storage of important data
  - Reliable – Practically unlimitedly rewritable removable mediums
• Ports: ATAPI, SATA, SCSI, FIREWIRE and USB
• Transfer rate: USB up to 15 MB/s
• Backup to Iomega® REV is an excellent choice for regular (e.g. daily) backups!

Backup to Iomega® REV Loader (discontinued)

• Hardware used to cost from ca. 950 €
• REV drives can still be obtained in good, used state; mediums are still manufactured and sold
• Removable mediums cost from ca. 60 € for capacities of about 75 GB
• Easy handling, just like a normal drive
• Shown in Windows Explorer as a normal removable drive
• An alternative to conventional tape drives:
  - Fast – Back up and restore data with up to eight times the speed of a tape drive
  - Flexible – Small medium size allows for easy off-site-storage of important data
  - Reliable – Practically unlimitedly rewritable removable mediums
• Ports: USB
• Transfer rate: USB up to 15 MB/s
• Backup to Iomega® REV Loader is an excellent choice for regular (e.g. daily) backups!