Hello Dan!
Many many thanks for your thoughtful - and rapid reply to my post.
No sooner than I posted than the next day I found my self rushing down
to NC on an emergency regarding my dad....whew!
I saw some replies start to arrive {with all due respect, I also
copied my post to another group - in order to get as much feedback/
info as possible} but I had no time or ability to reply until now
having just returned this am.
I hope I'm replying in the proper posting format!
On Dec 8, 11:05 am, Dan <[email protected]> wrote:
> At 3:51 AM -0800 12/8/2008, darkey wrote:
>
> >The unthinkable has happened; my home was burglarized and my OWC
> >mercury elite was stolen.
>
> Sorry to hear that. You had good insurance?
No! :-(
>
> >Now I realize it's not enough; I can't afford it, but now I'm going
> >to buy TWO drives and keep one out of the house as many others do.
>
> Good.
>
> Might want to burn some DVDs too.
I have DVD questions - but will save them for a separate post.
>
> >Should I buy RAID1 units?
>
> Personally, I'm not fond of using RAID boxes for backup. As I
> mentioned in another post, RAID is Fragile. Too many things can go
> wrong with it. IMO, it's better to get normal sturdy drive/boxes
> that won't mind being lugged about.
>From the reviews I've read, the Guardian units from OWC are quite
rugged; though at this point I'm leaning against RAID.
>
> >"hardware" based RAID; this is preferred over software RAID?
>
> Hardware-based is better, either in the controller in your Mac or in
> the controller in the box.
>
> Software-based RAID is... a waste of your Mac's CPU time and i/o bandwidth.
>
> >I never seem to hear of any home users using RAID1 for their back
> >up; what's the reason for this; doesn't a RAID1 unit constantly
> >update your backup over two drives as you are using the computer?
>
> Yes. It immediately copies your errors from your main drive to the
> hot backup. Makes the backup useless for normal file recovery.
Please! bear with me and my lack of knowledge; what errors make their
way onto a RAID unit that a clone backup won't be vulnerable to?
>
> >where does Time machine fit into all this - and do most of you even use it?
>
> RAID1 is a block-level hot copy of your primary drive. It instantly
> reflects the data and file system errors on your primary.
How is this different than a clone - and it's subsequent backups?
> Time Machine is a file-level backup mechanism that runs periodically.
> It's new and it's not 100% reliable yet. That's why many folx don't
> like it.
How is *this* different than a clone - and it's subsequent backups?
Is it true that you can NOT boot from a TM backup?
> >When swapping drives weekly, what is the procedure to update the
> >freshly swapped drive?
>
> Just use CCC or SuperDuper to update the drive. It will replace only
> the changed files, so the update won't even take that long.
So when re-connecting the "alternate" {external #2} drive, what type
of backup do I select; ie, incremental, update, etc - or do i need to
"reclone" the drive again; I absolutely want the ability to be able to
boot from whatever external I have ... as you can see - my luck isn't
so hot!
>
> Note that there is no such fast update for RAID1. Because it is
> block-level, it will have to re-write the whole drive every time you
> reconnect it. Some RAID hardware is a smart enough to read both
> drives and compare the data and only write what's needed... but
> still, it requires reading EVERY block on both the drives...
I see the GM unit from OWC will automatically update the other drive
in the enclosure should one need to be replaced. Is that the same
thing? Beyond that, should i get a RAID1 unit, what is involved in
getting the freshly swapped drive to accurately - and *SIMPLY* - back
up my internal HDD?
>
> >Can an external drive safely be kept in a weathertight {detached!}
> >garage during the week it's not
> >in use in the NY winter?
>
> I would not store a drive in very cold conditions. A friend's sock
> drawer would be better.
I'd prefer that also - but don't know if it will always be practical,
so I'm trying to figure options.
No matter how much I've read on this, I keep seeing the phrase "RAID
is not a substitute for backup"; even though I'm a little confused by
that statement, it *seems* to be beginning to make sense to me?!
Thanks again so much for your input; it goes a long, Long way towards
peace of mind - especially now when everything is just falling apart;
as an aside, I was having trouble opening the combination Kensington
lock today; after talking to tech support, I now have a Kensington
lock that has had its cable neatly severed with a dremel with its head
stuck in my monitor! It was a job to cut, and my 24" bolt cutters
couldn't do a thing on the cable. Kensington is GREAT - a new lock is
*already* on the way - no charge - and they will pay for the removal
of the old one - even covering a house call! I've had nothing but
fantastic dealings with them over the last ten years of using their
trackballs.
Jammed or not - that lock, was without a doubt the BEST impulse
purchase I've EVER made!!!
Best regards,
chris in ny
>
> - Dan.
> --
> - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth
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