Backup Software

[nvsravank]

I tried to find some backup software and was overwhelmed by the choice. So I thought i will ask the folks here on some suggestions based on my needs.
I am running Windows 7 ultimate.
I want a back up solution to copy the files on my Raid 1 setup to my Drobo. (Drobo is the back up before people start shouting that Drobo by itself is not safe!)
I want a solution that will keep some kind of checksum of the file and make sure that the file has not changed during copy.
I want a solution that can run checksum on the files on my raid 1 and compare to my backup to make sure there is no silent corruption going on my main disk.

Now to the nice to haves:
I would like a system where it will keep older versions.
I would like the latest version files to be browsable like any folder or have a time machine like interface to get to the versions easily.
I would like it simple and turn and forget solution.

I do not need it for boot volume backup.

Any ideas? A little more details if needed.

I tried the windows 7 backup. My total space on the disk was only 600 GB used. My Drobo had a space of 1 TB. It filled up with the first back up run itself! Dont know what was the problem and how 600 GB can take up 1 TB on the first run!

The files i want to back up are in my libraries and they come to only 300 GB right now.

 

[6string]

Some paid backup solutions I've used are symantec backup exec, CA ARCServe, both where used in a business network backing up multiple servers and large amounts of data.

For home use I've used free windows commands like xcopy and robocopy. Robocopy is more robust and does a checksum on the files. These free commands probably wont achieve everything you are looking for but its not bad for free.

 

[Berryracer]

I use SyncBackMe Pro to backup synchronize (echo method) folders from my Notebook to my external HDD. I have set the backup method in such a way that if I delete a file from my Notebook SSD, it also gets deleted from the external HDD when I run the backup task. So it basically mirrors what's on the left (My Notebook SSD) to what's on the right (External HDD)

They also have a free version by the way but since I was so impressed by the free version......I went ahead and bought a license for the SE version....Pro has features that I dont need like backing up to an FTP server

 

[Gooberlx2]

Crashplan

Set and forget, easy gui, does versioning, deduplication, free.

I believe it does checksumming as part of its backup, restore and maintenance processes...but it's not a function you'd run manually.

 

[Mark R]

I use Altaro's home PC backup product.

This does fully automatic, turn on and forget backups.
It is highly configurable as far as inclusions and exclusions go.
It can backup open files (e.g. databases, e-mail mail spools, etc.)
It can backup to multiple different drives/servers simultaneously.


The latest versions of files are copied directly to the backup drive and can be accessed directly through explorer.
Older versions are stored as reverse-incremental backups, and are accessed via a time-machine type interface. The incremental process uses internal checksums, but they are not manually verifiable.

It doesn't have a backup verification function or checksums. They have an active user-community, and apparently this function is planned, but there is no ETA.
To get around this, I tend to protect archival data using multipar (but as this is manual it's only really suitable for static data - e.g. finished projects, photos, etc.)

 

[mike2fix]

I 2nd the Altaro, stupid name for software but it works very well.

 

[billyb0b]

I use crashplan pro and it's great. I have 1.6 TB backed up online for a great annual price. the GUI is simple to use and the app is lightweight

 

[oynaz]

Another vote for Crashplan

 

[Fenton_Tegger]

Hello, nvsravank!
I want to advise you the backup soft @MAX SyncUp. It does backup using CRC as you want and keeps the file versions so you can always roll back to the previous copies. Setting up the options once you can forget about it
Try. Also it has very reasonable price. Good luck.

http://www.atmaxsoft.com/syncup.html

PS. good design