Blu-Ray for Data Backup
I want to use my Blu-Ray burner to backup my PC data. I have a 3 TB data HDD and I want to use 100 GB discs to make hard copy backups for offsite - I also do an external HDD.. Does anyone have a b...
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I have been able to recover data from burned CDs that I've made in 1996 without errors, so that is pretty good.
Caveat: Optical media needs some thought in storage. I prefer notebooks and storing the disks vertically so no weight is on them (keeping them from any chance of getting bent.)
If I were archiving stuff for the long term, 1492 has it correct. I'd use Blu-Ray or DVD, then Nero's SecureDisk for burning. This allows me to use any OS (Linux, OS X, Solaris, etc.) to recover data by simply copying it off (it isn't stored in any special format unless one encrypts it), but in addition, I can use the validation program that Nero puts on to ensure that the disk and its contents were not damaged, and if there is damage, there would be a chance to recover data from the error correction done by Nero.
For an archiving program (for compressing, encrypting, etc.) I like WinRAR... have used it for decades, and it works on many platforms (the unrar utility works almost anywhere.) So, I am pretty sure it will still be in existance 10-20 years from now in some form.
I am a bit tinfoil hattish... I like using multiple types of media. For example, I copy stuff to a network server's HDD. Then to an encrypted volume on the cloud (I treat cloud storage as another media type.) Then, I copy stuff to Blu-Ray for long term storage, put those in a CD case, and drop said case at a relative's house. May be overkill, but after being in IT for 20+ years, I have seen a lot of disasters.
Caveat: Optical media needs some thought in storage. I prefer notebooks and storing the disks vertically so no weight is on them (keeping them from any chance of getting bent.)
If I were archiving stuff for the long term, 1492 has it correct. I'd use Blu-Ray or DVD, then Nero's SecureDisk for burning. This allows me to use any OS (Linux, OS X, Solaris, etc.) to recover data by simply copying it off (it isn't stored in any special format unless one encrypts it), but in addition, I can use the validation program that Nero puts on to ensure that the disk and its contents were not damaged, and if there is damage, there would be a chance to recover data from the error correction done by Nero.
For an archiving program (for compressing, encrypting, etc.) I like WinRAR... have used it for decades, and it works on many platforms (the unrar utility works almost anywhere.) So, I am pretty sure it will still be in existance 10-20 years from now in some form.
I am a bit tinfoil hattish... I like using multiple types of media. For example, I copy stuff to a network server's HDD. Then to an encrypted volume on the cloud (I treat cloud storage as another media type.) Then, I copy stuff to Blu-Ray for long term storage, put those in a CD case, and drop said case at a relative's house. May be overkill, but after being in IT for 20+ years, I have seen a lot of disasters.
