I’ve recently mentioned some online backup solutions to a couple friends. One is CrashPlan. The quick summary is that it is an online backup solution that uses a software program on your Mac or PC to back up to any combination of the CrashPlan server (monthly storage charge associated), another of your computers (e.g., you could back up your personal computer to your work computer and vice versa) or a friend’s computer. Key advantages over other backup solutions (the average one being an external USB drive) are 1) you have the advantage of offsite storage, so a fire wouldn’t wipe out your onsite backup, and 2) assuming you can put the backed-up computer and backup destination computer on the same network when restoring, you could restore files many times faster than over the Internet.
I had a few questions on the software, as my 30 day trial is coming to an end, so I e-mailed their support e-mail on Wednesday morning and got a reply back within a couple hours. Scan below if you want to learn a few nuances. My summary: I decided to buy the $20 version rather than the $60, as features of $60 aren’t that compelling, you can upgrade later for $40 and you need a license for each computer you are backing up (but no license needed for a computer serving as backup destination). Second summary point: Ideally you could back up to a USB drive connected to a remote computer and then just connect that to the computer you are restoring files to make the process even faster than over a LAN. The software doesn’t yet support that feature, but an update with it should be released shortly.
I’ve also used Mozy, a purely online backup solution that costs a flat $5/month per computer, regardless of how much you are backing up (a big advantage over other online services, which charge by the gigabyte). Mozy is a nice fail-safe, but restoring 200GB over the web would take forever, so not as appealing as a good CrashPlan setup.
——– Original Message ——–
| Subject: | Re: Questions re: CrashPlan backup restores; feature differences |
|---|---|
| Date: | Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:46:36 -0600 |
| From: | Matthew Dornquast <support@crashplan.com> |
| To: | Michael Hopp |
| References: |
Hi Michael,
Comments below.
On Dec 12, 2007, at 1:35 PM, Michael Hopp wrote:
One thing that’s potentially appealing to me about CrashPlan v. Mozy or other remote-only backup solutions is that it looks like you can back up to a computer that you have access to physically, such as your computer at work, so that if you need to restore, it can be done locally to go much faster (rather than dealing with web download speeds).
Exactly!
I assume you can do so over a LAN just by putting both computers on the same network, but can you also do so by connecting an external drive containing the backup to the machine to be restored?
Yes! Just need another week or so. It’s done here, we’re testing. For now, LAN only.
My guess is that’s a no, given that a future To Do on the main support page is “Local restore from a USB drive that was once remote.” What’s the time frame for adding that feature? Without it, some of the differentiators v. Mozy et al are diminished and the product is less appealing.
Oh c’mon now.. 
restoring over 1Gbit/ethernet is still pretty darn appealing compared to internet at 500mbit at best.. Trust me, my laptop was stolen, it was a God send!
But I agree 100%. I’m just making a small point as someone that’s benefited.
Also, I was looking at the comparison chart for CrashPlan and CrashPlan Pro and am wondering what “Continous protection” means–does Pro constantly look for changed files to be backed up, whereas regular only does at intervals?
Both products use OS to “tell us” when files change, so we don’t have to scan. PRO sends it right away (you define interval, 1 minute, every 15, etc.) Default is 15 minutes: It’s here in settings:
[image showing settings]
Mine is set to 15 minutes.
If so, what are those intervals? Also, what is the scope encompassed by free upgrades? If I get regular instead of Pro, does that mean I won’t be able to take advantage of software updates without paying again?
You’ll get bug fixes, but if we come out with a really neat new feature, you may not. That said, you can always upgrade / pay the difference later.
Finally, if I have two computers I want to back up using CrashPlan, do I have to buy 2 licenses, or just 1?
two! You must purchase one license for each computer.
Best regards,
~Matthew
Thanks,
Michael Hopp
Very helpful! I think I’m going to get it.