Topic: FTP Backup

[Jeremy]

I think a nice option to include with sme would be some sort of incremental ftp backup utility. The technology that HandyBackup uses is quite impressive. They generate an index file that containes file modification dates, etc of all the files being uploaded to the ftp site so that an incremental backup is possible via ftp. The only challenge with this is that it depends on the customer's data size and what sort of files/databases they are using.
From my experience, one of the biggest reasons people hate backing up their data is because they hate tape drives. I think the offsite backup market is targetted to the same market as sme. It won't be the best solution for everyone, but i'm sure most people will be willing to make comprimises if they don't have to change backup tapes.

[Maggard]

Jeremy wrote:
>
> I think a nice option to include with sme would be some sort
> of incremental ftp backup utility.

This is already available though not in the default install from SME. You'll find it currently being discussed in the other phorums right now.

However FTP isn't the best tool as it requires a great deal of bandwidth. Rsync is a far better choice being just as ubiquitous and developed just for this, much 'gentler' on resources.

Personally I use Unison, available as both an e-smith/SME custom rpm and a Win32 application, all GPL. It uses rsynch but is better about resolving conflicts, works both ways (making restores that much easier) etc.

One thing to keep in mind is that by transporting all of your valuable documents over the 'net you're also exposing them to anyone wanting to take a look at them. Thus SCP or SSH tunnels or some other security strategy is strongly advised, not just vanilla FTP or rsynch.

However some sort of tool like this would be nice to include in the default install. To me it sounds like a great opportunity for Mitel to make a bundling deal with a 3rd party and make some cash off of their unsupported distrib. Not to go all AOL with branding & come-ons everywhere but it would probably be appreciated and have a good conversion rate.