More on backups and archiving

I have been asked again to explain in more detail with examples of how I personally backup/archive my data. My previous article is here and should be read first.
So here it is in a simple (I hope) form.

I have two external HDDs (actually many but for example this will work) I use Acronis as my primary imaging software. If you use OS X you can use Time Machine, Carbon Copy or Apple’s built in disk image utility. I covered these in the post above.

I create a full image of my system on external HD #1 on Jan 1st  - HD01_Jan_image01.tib
On Jan 2nd I create a full image of my system on external HD #2 - HD02_Jan_image01.tib

I now have two images on two separate drives.
At the end of week one for the month I create an incremental backup to external HD #1 - HD01_Jan_image01_02.tib (or whatever Acronis auto names it.)

At the end of week two for the month I create an incremental backup to external HD #2 - HD02_Jan_image01_02.tib
At the end of week three for the month I create an incremental backup to external HD #1 - HD01_Jan_image01_03.tib
On the 1st of the next month I create a new FULL image to HD #2 - HD02_Feb_image01.tib. Once that image is created
I can then delete the previous months images ON THAT drive.

On the 2nd of the month I create a full image to HD #1 - HD01_Feb_image01.tib. Once that image is created I can then delete the previous months images ON THAT drive.

This assures me that if my system were to die AND one of my external drives failed I would lose no more that two weeks of data - usually just one week or less!

You should also copy or store one of the external drives in a fire safe or safe deposit box for true disaster recovery!

As with any good backup plan you should regularly test your backups! Either do a full restore (highly recommended) or at least validate and mount your images to insure they are fully readable.

If you wish to, or have to, for compliance issues (corporations) you can archive your monthly images to additional external drives. I do.
I have images of machines that are long gone (some over ten years!) and I have been able to retrieve data I needed very easily and quickly. In fact I needed a Photoshop file recently that I was able to retrieve from one of my images of an old Mac G3!!

I hope this helps. Please don’t be the person who loses important personal, family or business data because you couldn’t take a little time and effort to set up a backup and recovery plan. The costs and time are insignificant when compared to the cost of loss!