Do you have questions about the online backup solution provided by Hosting.com? If so, please review the FAQs listed below. If, after your review you still have questions, please contact our sales department at
or 1-800-446-7627.
What is an Online Backup Solution?
An Online Backup Solution is an Internet-based service that allows for routine backup and recovery of important data using a secure and trusted server. In the event of a human error or computer systems failure, a backup of your business or personal files will prevent a total loss in your data.
Data backup can be as simple as saving your data in various locations or on multiple hard drives. Many times it is easy to forget to backup files regularly, which is why a backup solution makes the task much easier. The online backup solution was designed to routinely copy your selected files to a private, secure location on the Internet using your existing Internet connection.
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Does it make sense to use Online Backup if I'm utilizing a slow Internet connection?
On your initial backup it may take several hours depending on the speed of your connection and the size of your backup. After the first backup is complete though, each additional backup is typically smaller and can be completed in just a few minutes even on a slow connection.
This solution can also be stopped and then resumed, so if you needed to you could start the backup during a slow point and then cancel it during busy times. When you resumed the backup, it would begin where it was cancelled and continue until the entire backup was completed.
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What files should I backup?
The best way to determine what to backup is whether of not the program can be reinstalled from a purchased CD. It is not advantageous to pay for backups of a solution that can easily be reinstalled. Focus you attention instead on things similar to your "My Documents", "My Pictures", or "My Music" folders and data files with important programs needed to continue your daily activities that cannot be easily re-installed.
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How do I delete files from the backup server?
This solution allows you to view all the data stored on the server so that you can control the amount of data stored and selectively remove files as necessary. To view the data stored in your account, select the folder tab labeled, "Restore". In the left window, right click the Desktop icon and select "Get Volume List from Server." This list will show you each file that has been backed up to your account.
To delete files, click on the button with the red "X" to enable the delete file mode. Select any files you wish to delete by checking the empty box next to the files. Once you have selected all the files, click "Delete Files Now" to remove the files from the backup server. WARNING: Once the file is deleted from the server, it cannot be restored.
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Can I backup open or locked files with this solution?
With the basic online backup package you cannot backup software programs, files or databases that are in use during the backup or that have been locked. This option is available though via the Open File Manager add-on solution. For information and pricing on this add-on feature please contact our sales department at sales@hosting.com or 1-800-446-7627.
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I'm getting an error message, Open File, in my backup log. What does this mean?
See the answer to #5 above.
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Can I get a copy of my information sent to me on a CD?
Yes, we can copy your encrypted data files from our server onto a CD for you. Rest assured we cannot see the information being copied from the server to a CD as it is encrypted. For more information on this solution or to place an order please contact our sales department at sales@hosting.com or 1-800-446-7627.
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What is a bit level backup?
A bit level backup compares two different versions of the same file, what is stored on our server currently and what is being backed up now, and extracts the differences. When the differences are extracted from the files, they are saved into a new file that is compressed and stored on our server. This file is usually 85% to 99% smaller than the original file.
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What is the secret key?
The secret key is a special string of text that encrypts all the data that is stored on the server. This secret key can be changed at anytime between backups and restores. If the key is forgotten or lost, the backup server administrator may not be able to recover the data on the server so make sure you keep this information in a safe place.
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If I change my secret key, can I still restore old data?
When you change the secret key used, the previous key and all other keys for that matter, are also encrypted using this new key. This way, you only need to remember the most recent key to restore both new and old data.
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Can Hosting.com's Online Backup be used with all hosting solutions?
Unfortunately, at this time Hosting.com’s Online Backup solution can only be used with Windows hosting solutions that also give you terminal server access. If you are currently utilizing or plan to utilize a Windows Managed solution, Windows Virtual Private Server solution (VPS), or colocation solution you can use Hosting.com’s Online Backup. It is important to also note that you do not have to be a hosting customer of Hosting.com to utilize this solution.
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What is a Grandfather, Father, and Son backup schedule?
'Grandfather' backups are only once a month and account for ALL the data, 2 GB of data compressed for a 'Grandfather' backup would require 1GB of space.
'Father' backups are done once a week so typically four times a month with 4GB of space needed.
'Son' backups are done nightly with the amount of space needed dependent on the amount of changes you make daily. Usually the amount of space needed here is relatively small.
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