FTP backups
This tutorial shows how to backup your data from a local computer to an online FTP server by using a backup software such as Backup2 FTP. Once installed, Backup2 FTP lets you define a backup job and either run the backup to FTP manually or set it on automatic execution. The first step in backing your data to FTP is to download and install Backup2 FTP.
Once Backup2 FTP is installed you can define your backup job using the backup wizard (simply click on the main Backup button and follow the steps). You choose what to backup, define the FTP configuration, select the backup type and set it to run automatically (scheduled) or manually.
Backup to FTP using Backup2 FTP (hdd to ftp)
Backup2 FTP supports as destinations only FTP servers. You can backup your data to a remote computer or device using the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) connection. This is a practical remote backup destination as it allows you to store important files offsite. It can be considered as an additional protection against data loss as the result of hardware failure or other disasters.Remote backup to FTP is suitable for:
- Regular users - can be used as a personal remote backup solution, protecting your data against theft, fire or other disasters that could affect your hardware. If you are a dynamic person that travels a lot then an ftp backup is a must because you can access your remote backed up data on the FTP server from any computer, given that you enter the security details known only by you.
- Computer Consultants - if you are an individual or a company that provides consulting services then you can install Backup4all on your clients' computers and set it so that it does automatically the FTP backup. You are sure this way that their important data is backed up. The advantage: there is no need for their manual intervention, not to mention that if you set Backup4all to send email notifications, you will receive information on the status of their backup without visiting directly with them.
- Hosting companies - as a hosting company, your clients need to know exactly the value they get using your services. Offering a reliable online backup solution increases the value of your service but this depends on the remote backup software used too. Backup4all is the best choice for your clients given its simplicity and reliability. If you are interested in offering your clients our remote backup software as an online backup solution, visit the Solutions for OEMs section.
- Companies - even if the company policy includes backing up locally as a must, you have to consider a remote backup solution too. This gives your company an additional security option against natural disasters, theft, fire, local hardware fails.
- Outsourcing companies - if you are outsourcing work to freelancers or other companies, or if you have employees working on different locations, you know that backing up offsite files is very difficult. In the same time, your success depends on their work too, thus you need to use FTP backup to have their work protected.
Once the connection is defined and tested, you can set this as an automatic schedule with email notifications enabled, to have a fully online backup solution with minimum manual intervention. Advanced features in Backup2 FTP: SSL encryption, proxy server, passive mode.
How to backup to FTP with Backup2 FTP
- Open Backup2 FTP and click on the New Backup Wizard icon (or press Ctrl+N).
- In the first step of the backup wizard enter a name for your backup job and also the details of the FTP server you will back up to (or use an existing configuration if you defined it via Tools-Options-FTP).
- Select what files and folders you want to backup by using the Add files/folders buttons (or drag and drop the files from Windows Explorer into this window). Click Next.
- Select the type of backup you want to use. If you want to use zip compression select Full or Differential, if you want the files to be backed up to FTP without compression select the Mirror backup type (make sure the Zip the files checkbox is not selected, as that allows you to zip files individually).
- In the last step you would select if you want to schedule this backup to FTP to be executed automatically at specific time intervals.
- Click the Save button and select either Save and run to execute the backup now, or only Save to have it in the backup job lists from where you will run it manually (or if scheduled it will run automatically)
Recommendations for backing up to FTP
- After each change to the FTP configuration be sure to use the Test function.
- Most FTP servers have rules against hammering (trying repeatedly to connect to an unavailable FTP server with little time between attempts). This is why they require retry times at specific intervals, commonly at least 60 seconds between attempts. They also monitor for computers that hammer and once detected, the server will ban access to the IP address either permanently or for limited time. Thus, when you set the retry times intervals in Tools->Options->FTP, you should use 60 seconds or more.
- If you backup important data to a remote backup location using FTP backup, encrypt the zip files for increased security. In this case, even if another person manages to gain unauthorized access to the FTP, your files will still be protected.
- When selecting a hosting company that provides FTP access for your FTP backup, consider these elements too: if they have a backup plan too, if they provide high speed connection and if they have your data on servers with restricted access.