I have long been an advocate of Amazon’s S3 online storage for backup and off-site data storage. The one nagging problem with online backup is quickly retrieving a large amount of data if it is needed for a recovery. It could be painful waiting for a large amount of data to download during a crisis. Amazon has a physical import/export data system in beta testing right now. At this point they are only testing the import function.
How it works:
- Load your data onto an external eSATA or USB equipped hard drive
- Place an order with Amazon for import
- Ship your drive to Amazon
- They will upload your data on the next business day and return your drive
I am anxious to see the pricing model and time expectations for the export function.