Cloud computing hosting Database model and Comparison of online backup services

A cloud database is a database that typically runs on a cloud computing platform, such as Amazon EC2, GoGrid and Rackspace. There are two common deployment models: users can run databases on the cloud independently, using a virtual machine image, or they can purchase access to a database service, maintained by a cloud database provider. Of the databases available on the cloud, some are SQL-based and some use a NoSQL data model

Data model:

It is also important to differentiate between cloud databases which are relational as opposed to non-relational or NoSQL:

• SQL database, such as Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL, are one type of database which can be run on the cloud (either as a Virtual Machine Image or as a service, depending on the vendor). SQL databases are difficult to scale, meaning they are not natively suited to a cloud  environment, although cloud database services based on SQL are attempting to address this challenge.

• NoSQL databases, such as Apache Cassandra, CouchDB and MongoDB, are another type of database which can run on the cloud. NoSQL databases are built to service heavy read/write loads and are able scale up and down easily and therefore they are more natively suited to running on the cloud. However, most contemporary applications are built around an SQL data model, so working with NoSQL databases often requires a complete rewrite of application code.

Costs:

Cloud storage may be cost-efficient for many corporations and small businesses for everyday use, but for the average user of the computer and internet, the costs of cloud storage may outweigh its benefits. As a result users have other alternatives of storage such as:

• Local wired hard drive
• Local wireless hard drive
• External USB hard drive

Comparison of online backup services:

Acronis

Up to 5PCs, always incremental backups, remote access from the web

AltDrive

Data de-duplication; block-level incremental; Unlimited offering. Home (1-3 computers) or Biz service (1-1000 computers). Client side encryption.

Backblaze

Data de-duplication; block-level incremental

Barracuda Backup Service

Data de-duplication; real-time hybrid onsite/offsite data back-up

BullGuard Backup

5PC/license, fast upload speeds, mobile access, encrypted transfer and storage, password-protected settings, free 24/7 support

Carbonite

Block-level incremental, Home or Pro Editions. iPhone/ Black berry/ Android App available To remotely access data from the online backup (For Pro: Users of the computer which are backed up, Not available for the Administrator of the Pro). Can manually select files to upload that are larger than 4 GB.

Crashplan

Unlimited destinations. Data de-duplication; block-level incremental. Can run server-free, exchanging backup space with friends and family.

Datashield  

High-level encryption, personalized encryption key, shared cloud drive, sync folder functionality

Dolly Drive

Only Cloud Storage that integrates Apple's Time Machine with cloud. Also allows users to Sync files and folders and Archive and clone all from one app plus free seeding.

Diino

iPhone/Android app available.

Dropbox

Data de-duplication, delta sync, iPhone/Android/Blackberry app available.

Egnyte

Delta sync, Google Docs sync, user and group management

ElephantDrive

Auto-transfer from defunct Xdrive.

Fabrik Ultimate 

Backup Block-level incremental backups, Encryption: 128 bits standard, 448 bits optional, limited account of up to 3 GB is free. Acquired by Hitachi. According to their tech support, their offering is a branded version of Memopal.

FilesAnywhere

Mark Cuban acquired minority interest in 2006. Android, iOS, BlackBerry Apps available. Dedicated server options available. CoolBackup software used for Backup/Sync.

F-Secure

[Steek acquired by F-Secure July 2009]

Humyo

Humyo was acquired by Trend Micro and will become part of Trend Micro SafeSync. Humyo no longer accepts new clients.

IASO Backup

Advanced data reduction technology. Data de-duplication mechanism. High level of scalability and cost effectiveness.

IDrive

Proprietary license download client. Automatic Selection. Continuous Data Protection."Virtual drive" explorer.

Jungle Disk

Proprietary license download client sample code.

KeepVault

Real-time hybrid onsite / offsite data backup

Memopal

Cross-user de-duplication, delta sync

MiMedia

Initial seed via a MiMedia-owned external hard drive available (no extra cost, shipping included).

Mozy

Data de-duplication; block-level incremental. "Mozy Data Shuttle" physical seeding service available for extra fee.

SpiderOak

Data de-duplication."Zero Knowledge" encryption.

StoreGrid Cloud  

Byte-level Incremental backup, local backup, Disk Image Backup - BMR and physical seeding.

Syncplicity

Google Docs sync, Central Management with Business Console

Ubuntu One

GPL client

Unitrends Vault2Cloud

Data de-duplication; hybrid on- & off-premise data backup; physical seeding

UpdateStar Online Backup

Data de-duplication; block-level incremental

Usenet backup

Is the method of storing backup data on the usenet. 

Windows Live Mesh

replaces windows live sync and windows live folder

Wuala

Client-side encryption, Wuala doesn't have access to the data.

Zetta Enterprise-grade Online Backup

Supports Linux, Mac OS, and Windows, high speed WAN optimization, SAS 70 certified datacenters

Zmanda Cloud Backup

Available in German and Japanese languages, supports MS SQL Server, MS Exchange, SharePoint, MySQL Database, System State, Oracle

ZumoDrive

Cloud appears local to filesystem, content streaming, predictive caching, delta sync

Versioning

Any changes can be undone, and files can be undeleted.

Acronis

supports detailed history of changes to files with browsing by date or version number

AltDrive

Old versions of files are kept for 30 days. Biz customers choose their retention policy of 30 days to 7 years to forever.

Backblaze

Old versions of files are kept for 30 days.

Carbonite

Keeps old versions for up to three months. It keeps one version for each day of the past week, one version for each of the previous three weeks, and one version for each of the previous two months that the file has been backed up.

Crashplan

Options: All, or staged (daily, then weekly, etc.)

Dolly Drive

Yes

Dropbox

No version history kept in free account as of 2012, but discrete files deleted can be undeleted.

ElephantDrive 

Old versions of files are kept for 30 days.

IASO Backup  

All versions of files can be kept for different period of time: starting from 1 month till 1 year or more.

SOS Online Backup

All versions are kept. 0nly the largest counts towards the storage limit.

SpiderOak

All versions are kept. All files can be undeleted.

SugarSync

Five versions are kept. Only the most recent counts towards the storage limit.

Wuala

Ten versions are kept. Only the most recent counts towards the storage limit.

Zetta Enterprise-grade Online Backup

All versions are kept. All files can be undeleted.

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