savvyITsteve

Review of iDrive Online Backup



Posted: Friday, August 06, 2010

by savvyITsteve
http://www.savvyitsolutions.com

Overview and History

iDrive is a service of Pro Softnet Corporation, an ASP and Internet Solutions Provider based in Woodland Hills, CA. Since its incorporation in 1995, Pro Softnet Corp. has been using the power of Information Technology by providing online-based solutions and niche Web Software solutions for lots Fortune 100 corporations. Pro Softnet also produce iBackup which is designed squarely at the business arena.

Feature Set

Security

The web portal is password protected and encoded with 128bit SSL encryption while transferring to and from their data centers. Once on the servers your data is encoded with 256bit AES encryption and the ability to set a private key. Physically, the iDrive program is managed at data centers in the United States. The world-class facilities are specially designed with raised floors, HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones and seismically braced racks. They provide the widest range of physical security features, including state-of-the-art smoke detection and fire suppression systems, motion sensors, 24x7 secured access, video camera surveillance and security breach alarms.

Backup Features

iDrive backs up your files utilizing block level incrementation so only the bits of files that are amended get uploaded. Continuous backup is also used to guarantee your data is archived as soon as it changes. In addition, you can setup backups for specific times if you wish. Unusually for online backup solutions, both network drives and removable media can be included in the archive set. But open and locked files cannot be backed up on network and removable drives.

Files and folders can be included to the archive set using right-click on windows PCs and there are status notifications and progress indicators to let you know which files are being managed and which are still awaiting backup. There is support for up to thirty editions of every file backed up . If you have a lot of information to archive, iDrive offers a 'Rapid Serve' service for a one-off charge of just over $70. When you Take advantage of this service, iDrive will send you an external USB hard drive to plug into your computer. You can then duplicate all your critical data onto the hard drive and send it back to them. They will upload it to your account, reducing the first archive time from weeks to just a few days.

Restore Features

Files can be restored from the local client by right-clicking on the file or directory you need to restore or from the web portal by navigating to the file you need restored and selecting the version you want to restore.

Control and Analysis

There is no processor controls yet there are bandwidth controls. Logging and reporting is available from both the web site and the client software. Support for socks and https proxy servers is also provided.

Interface

There is a administration portal in the basic, pro and family versions and a far more extended administration portal in the corporate version. Multi-account management is available in the Family and SME versions. All editions utilize the client software.

Device Support

Windows and MAC client PCs as well as server computers are supported as well as any web enabled machines via the internet portal. There are specific applets for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. There is also a plugin for wordpress to enable you to archive your blog website!

Limitations

The Basic, Pro and Family editions cannot be used for business. The Basic and Pro versions allow backup of a single device; the family version allows upto five devices per account and the business edition lets upto 100 accounts.

File Sharing and Collaboration

iDrive is an archiving program, not a collaboration or file sharing service.

Synchronization

Machines are synchronized with the online portal but not directly with each other. Synchronization of more than on device is only available in the Family and corp. versions.

Web 2.0 Integration

None.

Customer Support

Phone support is available in working hours only. Live Chat and email support are offered. Self-help is available via user guides, white papers, data sheets, FAQs, testimonials, case studies and a demo. There is no forum but there is a blog. There is no free trial but there is a free version which gives 2Gb of storage.

Ease of Use

The client software takes minutes to download and configure. In under five minutes you could be starting your initial backup. Both the online and client interfaces are simple and with the windows explorer extension installed you are able to right-click on a file and either archive it immediately or add it to the scheduled backup.

Restores are similarly simple, if there are multiple versions of a file, then you can select whichever version you want via date stamp. There is also a extremely nifty search facility for all backed up files.

Cost



Conclusion

If you are looking for a straightforward, no frills online backup solution then iDrive is a excellent choice. The pricing is good and the family and SME editions provide useful and appropriate add-on functionality to permit the management of multiple accounts / machines.

The interface is simple and crisp, the client software is light on resource usage and the encryption of your data both in transit and when on their servers is as good as any bank.
Stephen McGovern is an IT professional with over 20 years experience in providing solutions to companies both small and large. He spends a lot of time researching and reviewing products and services to ensure he is up-to-date with all the latest technology. To find out more about Stephen, visit his website where he provides information on Online Services such as Online Storage and Online Faxing.
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