media server reviews
media server reviews
Review of SpiderOak Online Backup and Sync Solution
Overview and History
SpiderOak is a privately managed enterprise that are located in Northbrook, Illinios and were formed in December 2007. They provide an Online Backup, Online Synchronization and Online Sharing Service which offers 100Gb of online storage for $10 a month and can supply upto 1.5Tb of storage in 100Gb chunks, each chunk be charged at an additional $10 a month.
Security
SpiderOak take security enormously seriously. Unsatisfied with 256bit AES encryption on information in transit and on their servers; they additionally protect your files by utilizing 2048bit RSA password encryption. That’s about as secure as you can get. SpiderOak in addition support ‘zero-knowledge’ file encryption which means that at every stage, there is absolutely no way that somebody – even SpiderOak staff – can look at any of your files, not even the folder and file names.
Physically, their data center – which they own rather than renting server space – uses the latest technology with redundancy at all levels and several fast connections to internet service providers. They additionally can provide geographically redundant protection (where your information is located in several data centers located in different parts of the world at the same time) for an extra cost.
Backup Features
SpiderOak uses a storage redundancy process that means a single version of a unique file is kept on their servers. If you have the same file in multipl folders, then they leave a marker in each folder but only store one original. This reduces the quantity of storage you require and allows SpiderOak to keep unlimited file versions of any document but only stores and uploads the differences between the versions.
This makes uploads much faster and reduces the amount of storage space required. For even more control over file editions, there is the functionality to purge historic versions as and when you wish to. SpiderOak backs up desktops, laptops and servers running MAC, windows or Linux; Not to mention network drives and removable media all from one account. Simply pick a drive for archiving and SpiderOak will monitor the drive for alterations and additions and append them to your archive queue.
Restore Features
Since SpiderOak is a backup and synchronization utility, you have instant online access to any version of any file you have ever archived. If the file you need to recover is a synced file, then it will also be on any other device that you have setup for synchronization. There is an option within the client program to hold a copy of all archived data blocks in a location you choose, this can be a local folder or an FTP or sFTP server.
This allows for more rapid restores if bandwidth is limited or restricted. SpiderOak will always check this location for restore blocks before retrieving from the offsite storage.
Control and Analysis
The installed client shows details of which files are currently being archived, what activities are being carried out within your SpiderOak network, a log of all the accumulated activity and statistics including the total amount of storage being used within your SpiderOak network. On the control side, the client software allows you to control the maximum size of individual files that can be archived and to not backup files older than a specified amount of time not to mention options to exclude specific files and folders. Scheduling can be configured for archive, sync and sharing options and can be configured to anything from automatic to once every 2 days.
When set to automatic any alteration to files within the backup, sync or share sets is instantly addedapended to the upload list. The SpiderOak client can use Proxy servers using the Network tab of the preferences screen. The amount of internet bandwidth that SpiderOak uses can be managed from the Network tab.
Interface
The SpiderOak interface is very all-inclusive, there are five tabs:
- Status – provides information of shares, syncs and backups from all of the PCs associated with your account. As well as the total amount of your current storage allowance being used.
- Backup – this is where you choose which files to archive on the current computer.
- View – This displays currently backed up files and folders for each of the machines in your SpiderOak network and lets you to download any file or folder as a compressed (zip) file.
- Sync – This tab permits you to setup or manage sync jobs between computers in your SpiderOak network.
- Share – The final tab configured and shows the status of shares.
The internet portal is much simpler: It presents a simple tree structure of files and folders organized under each computer that is a part of your SpiderOak network.
Device Support
SpiderOak currently supports PCs using Linux, Windows or MAC. This includes server operating systems.
File Sharing and Collaboration
SpiderOak uses a facility called ShareRooms which lets you share your information . Amendments to any files in ShareRooms are automatically available to all members of the ShareRoom and changes are appended to an newsfeed so users can be kept up-to-date with the latest changes.
The files and folders in a ShareRoom can be from any computer in the SpiderOak network, not just files synced to the web portal. When a ShareRoom is created it is assigned a unique URL which you can distribute to anyone you wish to access the ShareRoom or you can request people to login to SpiderOak’s website using the ShareRoom username and password created when the ShareRoom was setup.
Synchronization
SpiderOak has synchronization at its heart: You are allowed to have an unlimited amount of PCs in a single account and permit all of them to synchronize with a central repository. It is possible to configure separate synchronization jobs for your files and the whole procedure is wrapped in their impressive encryption blanket.
Customer Support
There is no interactive support such as telephone or live chat, however, the email support is great as is the forum and blog. The list of self-help support options is quite extensive:
- Documentation
- FAQs
- Demos
- Testimonials
- Tutorials
- Case Studies
There is also a free edition which provides 2Gb of storage.
Ease of Use
You can sign up, download the SpiderOak program, and be protected by SpiderOak in under five minutes. The client is stylish, easy to use and gives lots of information without overwhelming you. Shares, synchronizations and archives are all easy to manage and monitor.
Cost
- Initial setup – free Monthly Fee – $10 / mth / 100Gb
- Annual Cost – $100 / year / 100Gb
- Initial permitted storage amount – 100Gb
- Cost of additional storage – $10 / 100Gb
- Cost of additional devices / PCs / users – unlimited
- Referral Program – Yes
- E-billing facility – Yes
Conclusion
SpiderOak gives a great way to backup, sync and share your files from an unlimited amount of computers via one account. The pricing is good and since exta storage is always available in tidy 100Gb chunks you never have to worry about running out of growing space.
Add to this the unlimited file versioning and simple restore options and SpiderOak is a real winner. The only downside is that portable devices such as iPhones and PDAs are not currently supported. Nevertheless, if you are using Windows, MAC or Linux devices that need to share or sync files then SpiderOak is an excellent choice.
About the Author
For great in-depth reviews and detailed Online Storage Comparisons as well as tons of information about online services visit Savvy Steve’s website: http://www.savvyITsolutions.com
backup solution suggestions?
i have 1 sata port remaining on my motherboard, and would like to know of some suggestions for backup my computer media. currently i have 1tb backing up 3 smaller drives. the tb drive is nearly full with 100 gb free. i was thinking with either getting a 2tb drive, even though they are still expensive, and not as reliable from what ive read of online reviews; theres a windows home server, like the acer product, or a nas server. im most interested in the speed, reliability and cost of these backup solutions. thanks in advance
hi,
i think you take NAS will be better.
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