Backup Your Files
A backup is a second copy of all your important files. It's crucial to store this copy in a safe place to ensure the security and retrieval of your data.
Note: You should always have frequent and regular backups of your computer and any external media which contains important and unique data. Keep in mind, it is impossible to recover accidentally deleted data from an solid state drive (SSD) after the "trash" has been emptied. Also, an SSD can fail at any time without any warning signs.
Why Do I Need to Backup?
- 30% of users have never backed up files
- 29% of disasters are caused by accident
- 1 in 10 computers infected with virus monthly
- Impossible to recover deleted SSD data
- SSDs can fail without warning
9 Ways to Backup Your Data
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, network drives)
- Copy files to a USB stick.
- Use an external hard drive.
- Email important files to yourself.
- Print out physical copies.
- Invest in a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.
- Backup software (Time Machine, EaseUS, Acronis)
- Subscribe to a backup service.
- Burn it to a CD or DVD.
Recommendations: Use network shares, Google Drive as primary backup. Use external drives as secondary backup. WHY? - If a user accidentally deletes a file from their network share or Google drive, there are ways to recover it. However, if a user accidentally deletes a file off an external drive, it might be gone for good. If a user has sensitive data and they lose the external drive, someone else might get access to the sensitive data if they find the drive and it isn't encrypted. So make sure your backup to an external is encrypted.
Data Storage & Backup Resources
Personal Network Storage: H Drive
- The "H Drive" provides an initial 5 GB of network storage space for staff and faculty
- Request H Drive or Request additonal storage by submitting a request through IT Self Service
- Visit IT Self Service for instructions on how to map H drive on MacOS and Windows
Note: ITS does incremental backups of the H Drive. This means that we take the deltas for the data based on the backup schedule and add those to the backup files system nightly. We keep 3 active copies of any file- i.e. if you have a word document that you modified each day for a few days, we would have the current file, and the previous 2 incremental versions. When a file is deleted from a server, it gets tagged as deleted in the backup system. A clock then starts and after 90 days, the file is permanently deleted from the backup system. If you need a file recovered, contact the ITS Help Desk as soon as possible.
Department Network Storage: S Drive
- Departments can request an “S Drive” to store and share departmental files with staff/faculty.
- Request H Drive or Request additonal storage by submitting a request through IT Self Service
- Visit IT Self Service for instructions on how to map S drive on MacOS and Windows
Note: Similar to the H Drive, incremental backups are done for Mac S DRIVE and Windows S DRIVE. Request storage or recover files through the ITS Help Desk.
Student Network Storage: Ushare
- ITS provides students with 5GB of Ushare network storage.
- UShare storage is created for ALL registered students and will remain until the student graduates or leaves the University.
- This storage is ideal for students who are working with data tiles that require faster input/output for image manipulation, graphics, CAD Systems, etc.
- Visit IT Self Service for instructions on how to map Ushare on MacOS and Windows.
Note: There is no need to request a student UShare, it is created automatically. For Faculty to request a UShare, please submit a request through IT Self Service website.
Google Drive
All students, faculty and staff have the option of using Google Drive (included with Google Apps), which offers cloud storage. Google Drive is a convenient option available to Binghamton University as a collaboration and backup tool. Go to the Google Apps page for more information.
Download the Drive for Desktop application from Google's website. Installation is followed by signing in with your B-Mail account and completing the setup
Visit the IT Self Service Knowledge base for or comprehensive guidance on Google Drive.
Using Google Drive File Stream
To start Google Drive File Stream MAC:
Google Drive File Stream has been added to the public computers. This leverages the
unlimited storage for Binghamton University students on Google. Google Drive File
Stream mounts on the desktop and provides access from any web-connected device.
- Click on the Google Drive File Stream icon in the Dock to start the application.
- Login using your Binghamton University email credentials.
- Google Drive File Stream will mount on the Desktop.
- Double-Click on the icon to access your files and folders.
- Users should be sure to log out of Google Drive File Stream to protect your files
and information.
To start Google Drive File stream WINDOWS:
Google Drive File Stream has been added to the public computers in the Binghamton
Public Computer Labs and Classrooms. This leverages the unlimited storage for Binghamton
University students on Google. The Drive File Stream app maps the Google disk space
as Drive G: and provides access from any web connected device.
- Click Start (Microsoft Logo, lower left corner)
- In search bar type Google Drive File Stream to search for the application
- Click on the Google Drive File Stream icon to start the Application and logon
- Log on using your Binghamton University email address and password
- The Google drive will be connected as the G: drive
- The Google Drive File Stream icon will show in the system and give access to the drive settings
- Users should be sure to log out of Google Drive File Sync when logging off the computer to protect your files and information.
Backing up to an external Hard Drive
- Requirements: Acquire an external hard drive exceeding your computer's storage capacity (e.g., a 500GB or larger drive for a 250GB computer).
- Steps:
For additional assistance with your backup needs, visit the ITS Help Desk page or contact the Help Desk at 607-777-6420.
