Introduction to Remote Backup Version 11

 

How to Use this Documentation

 

How Does Remote Backup Work?

rbslogo.gifRemote Backup works like regular data backup software, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer it is backing up, Remote Backup sends the backup over the Internet, regular telephone lines, or other network connections to your backup server safely offsite. It does this (usually) at night while computers are not being used. Backups can also be done on-demand, any time.

It's completely automatic. In fact, you may even forget it's working. Most businesses put their lives on the line every night and don't realize it. With businesses depending more and more on the data stored in their computers, proper backups are becoming much more critical.

Remote Backup accomplishes several essential steps that are often overlooked or done improperly by other backup software - especially in the regular non-automated backup systems.

Backups are done on schedule, reliably. Most businesses don't do this. For one reason or another, they don't keep a regular backup regimen. Usually it's because the person responsible for doing backups (if there is one) is too busy doing something else, or someone is using the computer when it's time for a backup, or they simply forget. Since Remote Backups are done with automated software usually at night, when nobody is using the computer, backups are always done on schedule.

The correct files are backed up. Ordinary backup software is often installed with a list of files to be backed up. This set of files usually represents the state of the system when the software was installed, and often misses critical files. Further, it often fails to back up files that get added later. Compounding this problem, VERY few businesses take the trouble to reset their backup software regularly to include new files.

Remote Backup solves this problem by constantly reevaluating the computer system, adding files to the backup as needed. Several full copies of files are stored using a sophisticated version control system unavailable in most other backup software of any kind. This is much too important to overlook.

The general definition of "proper" backups requires redundancy. One must keep multiple copies of the same files at different points in their development, called versions. As an example, you should have a different copy of each backed-up file for each backup session. Further, you should be able to easily restore any of your files up to any given point in time. Banks do it, big corporations do it, and so should small businesses. Only Remote Backup has such an easy to use version control system.

Backups are encrypted for complete security. Tape backups are not generally encrypted, so anyone can read them and gain access to client database, billing records, payroll, tax info, and everything else on computers.

Remote Backup encrypts its backups using your choice of eight of the strongest cryptographic methods in the world for complete security so nobody, not even the RBS Service Provider, can read the files. Finally and most importantly - Backups are immediately sent offsite and stored safely away from the clients' computers and their businesses. This is where almost every business makes its biggest mistake. Even if they do everything else perfectly, backups are of little use if their building burns, or they are unable to physically recover their tapes from the premises. Most small companies who do backups leave the tapes in the building with the computer, where they can be destroyed right along with the computer.

Of course, you can see that this would be a problem in a fire or flood or an earthquake. But it's also useful in emergencies where businesses are forced to evacuate their offices quickly. Even businesses that do backups and have good, undamaged tapes have to shut down. Many go out of business simply because they don't have access to their data.

Remote Backup solves this problem by automatically storing this valuable data at more than one site. So, a business can be back up and running with new computers and their latest data no matter what catastrophe happens.

 

Preparing the Client Installers

This software contains a Server installer and Client installers. Installing the Server is straightforward, and few have problems with it. However, before you can install the Client you must first customize it so your installed Client software knows how to contact your Server. Skipping this part of the installation process is what causes most problems experienced by new users.

 

Read the section on Customizing the Client Installer to learn how to properly set up your Client installers, or view helpful online tutorial movies here:

 

http://remote-backup.com/multimedia.htm