Whether it’s for work or a hobby, you’ve worked long and hard to complete your projects. The last thing that you want to happen is to do them all over again because of a corrupted device. According to a post on Tech Stringy, it’s best practice to observe the “3-2-1 Backup Rule.” This simply states that you should have your data backed up in at least two local storage units and one off-site. All in all, having backups for every project is a good way to keep your files organized and protected.
That said, here are the best storage options you can look into.
External Drives
There are two kinds of external drives depending on the type of files you plan to store in them: the hard disk drive (HDD) and the solid-state drive (SSD). The more common (and cheaper) option is the HDD. They go up to 30TB, so it’s a good option for projects with a lot of large files. On the other hand, you have the SDDs. While the current ones only go up to 8TB, an external drive review on Digital Trends notes that it’s definitely more reliable. Unlike HDD’s disk, SDDs run on a full electronic circuitry—so everything loads faster. They’re best used for projects with large individual files software and RAW project files.
RAID
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disk (RAID) is a type of storage split up into multiple drivers. Workflow specialist Richard Lackey highlights that it’s easily one of the most secure ways of storing data, as if one unit fails, not all files are lost. It has a lot of “levels” (it goes up to RAID 10) depending on the type of data protection that you need. However, the average user doesn’t need anything higher than a RAID 5. With this type, if one drive gets corrupted, the others have enough data to work with in order to restore them.
Cloud-based Storage
As per the 3-2-1 Backup Rule, you’ll want to save your projects outside of your location just in case your physical copies get damaged. For this, cloud storages are easily the best and more affordable option. Box explains that cloud storage options work for virtually every file type and allow for quick access to files from any device.
Most cloud storage solutions also integrate with your favorite apps, like Adobe and Microsoft, making uploads a breeze. While most cloud storage options are paid via subscription, the good news is that it’s virtually infinite. You can keep expanding your storage as you need to.
Magnetic Tape
Another off-site storage to look into is the Linear Tape-Open Technology (LTO). This is open-format storage that has been specifically developed for big files (it goes up to 480TB) and long time archiving.
The LTO machine is made out of a single spool of magnetic tape housed in a tough exterior. You insert a cartridge (or a roll of tape), connect your computer to the machine, and have it transfer the data to the tape. Once that’s over, it ejects the tape. It’s best used to store all the resources for big projects, from RAW files to the final output
To choose the best storage, carefully assess what type of project you’re using it for and your allotted budget. Whichever combinations you go with, just make sure your backup files are in more than one location.
For more tech news and updates, take a look at Valve Time’s articles for more information.
