An online backup is a service which allows users to backup and restore computer data over the internet to an external location. This article attempts to give an overview of online backup and its important elements.
An online backup is a service which allows users to backup and restore computer data over the internet to an external location. Usually, the user needs to install client software, which allows him to select the data to backup, the frequency of the backup (schedule) and also to restore data from the server when needed. Typically, the client software compresses and encrypts the data before transferring it over the internet to the remote location. Online is often referred to as 'remote backup', 'internet backup', 'offsite backup' or 'IP backup'.
History
The first online backup software providers arised in the late 90s. However, the service became more and more adopted early in the 21st century. An important trend that influenced the rise of the online backup market is the increasing bandwiths. Since online backup services transfer lots of data over the internet, the upload-speed is the bottleneck. 2006 and 2007 showed a tremendous rise in the number of online backup service providers. These years, also Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) entered the market and online backup is often referred to as BaaS (Backup-as-a-Service).
Why using online backup?
Online backup is positioned in the market as 'hassle-free'-backup. The client software makes sure that the backup runs automatically (typically once a day), and status reports are sent by email. The service eliminates any kind of human interaction. Alternatives like burning CDs, DVDs or tapes need to be handles by humans, which is time-intensive and therefore cost-intensive. Online backup saves time, resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
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