[CS-FSLUG] Multi-platform backup strategy

[N.Thompson]

I like the idea of a central file server with a raid setup that would 
use at least two or three drives in case one or two of them fail but 
thats because you can just keep adding more computers to the network and 
after a little setup instantly have access to those files. One thing I 
did was create a fat32 partition that I stored everything I shared 
between Windows and Linux on but I stopped doing that because fat32 has 
a terrible problem with fragmentation and Linux as far as I know doesn't 
have anything to defragment fat partitions. If you do still boot into 
Windows from time to time it might be easier to create the fat32 
partition if you have the space on your hard drive because you can 
defragment it in Windows, unfortunately that doesn't solve the problem 
for the iBook and your roommate's computer.

If you go with a file server and have the funds for it I would suggest 
researching mini-itx mainboards and computers, unless I'm mistaken they 
use significantly less power, Macs also use less power then X86's but I 
don't know how significant the difference is. If you really want a 
small, energy efficient file server see if you can hook up a harddrive 
or two to any one of these 
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/archive.asp?date=0403#story0312 ;-) .

If you are looking for something cost efficient you could try USB drives 
or jumpdrives but I know from experience that SUSE Linux 9.0 and 9.1 
don't like those very much :-( .

K Montgomery wrote:

>Greetings all,
>
>I'm realizing I have to implement a serious backup regime at home. (I
>realized this the way most people realize they need to backup their
>data.)  The more computers I get, the more data I store across all of
>them, and the more confused I am.  I have an Apple iBook, and a SuSE
>Linux box.  I also have a Windows 98 partition that I hardly use.   My
>roommate has a Windows XP computer.
>
>I'm wondering what other people have done and the inherent advantages
>and disadvantages from your perspective.  I've considered: a central
>file server (with or without RAID?), DVD-RAM (internal or external
>drive?), Network Attached Storage...
>
>While backups are not necessarily "one size fits all," maybe you all can
>help me brainstorm.
>
>- Kathy
>
>
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