Tape backup remains the number one choice of LAN manager's for protecting network servers. Their job depends on following a rigorous backup routine and they are comfortable working with complicated tape backup products. However, there are several factors that make tape impractical for desktop users:
Recovery
Only ReZOOM can instantly restart your system from the backup device with a single keystroke. Plus, ReZOOM's repair wizard can fix many problems for you. No other tape backup software assures uninterrupted access to your critical files and email. Recovering from a disaster using conventional tape products always involves booting from a floppy first -- and then running a restore operation from DOS. Downtime of several hours to several days are not uncommon when relying on tape.
Speed
Not only does ReZOOM recover faster, it can backup a system much faster than tape. Most desktop class tape drives are 10 to 20 times slower than an average hard disk. ReZOOM can perform routine backups in less than one minute. And because a second hard drive is always online -- it's a "hands-off" solution that works automatically.

Schedule ReZOOM to perform automatic backups during idle time
Open files
ReZOOM goes the extra mile to protect your most important data -- the file you're working on now! Because ReZOOM is designed to run automatically during idle time -- it uses special technology to backup files you left open. Many mainstream tape backup products also include the ability to run automatically. But few, if any, have the ability to backup open files.
Cost
In the past, tape backup has been the most popular way to protect data because of its low cost per megabyte. But as hard drive prices have declined (4GB UDMA drives now sell for $135), it has become significantly more cost effective to backup to a second hard drive.
Hard Disk vs. Tape Backup; Total Cost of Ownership Comparison
|
Tape Backup using Windows Backup SW |
Hard Drive Backup using ReZOOM |
Tape Drive + Cartridge + SW
(Seagate Tapestor 8000 4/8GB) |
$219 |
|
Extra Tape Cartridge |
$11 |
|
Hard Drive
(WD Caviar 4GB UDMA) |
|
$135 |
ReZOOM Software |
|
$70 |
Administrative Cost* (1 year) |
$300 |
$50 |
TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP |
$530 |
$255 |
*Installation, training, support, maintenance, and infrastructure
Ease
Most PC users agree that following a daily backup routine using tape cartridges is tedious and time-consuming. In addition to their slow speed, handling and rotating tape cartridges increases the overall operating cost of tape backup. For this reason, tape users backup less frequently and run a higher risk of losing data.
Reliability
Tape users face an ongoing risk that the media may break, wear out or become unreadable. And successfully restoring data from tape is often the exception rather than the rule. Conversely, hard drive to hard drive backups with ReZOOM are extremely reliable. And because data is stored in an uncompressed "native" Windows format, you can always access backed up files using the Windows Explorer.
|