With data really getting enormous in size, such as 250gb's it is becoming harder to simply just back it up. With that said, finding a backup solution that is not going to require a deposit of an arm (A.K.A. Tape Drive), can prove to be a bit of a frustration. RCCS has a simple solution to consider.
Solution: Removable hard drives.
All that is required is a little know how and some patience. The items needed (other than tools) is a hard drive enclosure, SATA hard drive, and some backup software. The picture below is a Kingwin SATA KF 811 aluminum internal hard drive enclosure. This device allows to dock & lock the hard drive in place for security/mounting purposes. Unlocking it will dismount the drive and allow to swap it out for another drive, etc. (Would do not recommend buying anything plastic.)
To get started, the computer will need (1) available SATA port & 5.25" Bay. The next item in the list is the hard drive(s). The size doesn't really matter and is at the intent of the buyers need. Any 3.5" hard drive should fit into this unit. We used (and recommend) Seagate brand hard drive(s). The one we picked for this particular job was a Seagate Baracuda SATA-II 250gb Hard drive .
Once we installed all the components. A backup software was needed to automate the process. There are many to choose from. With budget in mind we kept it simple and used the Windows Xp integrated backup. If the need is for something that gives greater flexibility then Acronis True Image Home 11 (for personal use) or Acronis Disk Director Server 10.0 for business is the way to go, however there are many other options out there for different scenarios.
Alternatively, purchasing multiple drive enclosures with hard drives could allow for weekly backups (multiple scheduled backups). It is recommended to get a fire safe (fire rated safe) to protect your drives that are not in use. You may want to consider padding the inside of this box to keep prevent the drives from banging around in the event the box would need to be moved fast from it's position.
In conclusion, what you will end up with is a fast hot swappable backup solution to keep your data safe. Estimated cost: $100.00 + (Depends on complexity)
