Re: USB backup program
- From: "M.I.5¾" <no.one@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:50:03 -0000
"Anna" <myname@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eGybizybIHA.3696@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"smlunatick" <yveslec@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
BTW: Flash drives are not really very reliable for backups since the
flash chips have a limited life span (1000 writes,) can easily be re-
formatted by defective USB ports and can be erased by static
electricity.
"M.I.5¾" <no.one@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:47b41720$1_1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Whilst what you say is theoretically true, if the backup verifies OK then
it is unlikely that the FLASH memory will fail before it is read. In
practice, the life of the memory far exceeds what you state because the
1000 write life applies on a per cell basis. Wear levelling logic of a
practical FLASH memory means that the actual total number of writes than
can take place will exceed 1000 writes easily.
Also on a practical note, the memory will most likely be scrapped and
replaced by a larger/faster model long before the life limits are
reached.
As far as the memory being erased by a defective hardware, this applies
to any backup medium. A backup is not a backup unless it's backed up.
Practiacal FLASH memory units should be protected against static (though
the actual chips themselves may not be).
Our experience over the past few years involving hundreds of users and
scores of different makes & models of USB flash drives (a/k/a thumb
drives, pen drives, etc.) had led us to recommend that where
"mission-critical" data involved, the user is strongly encouraged not to
*solely* rely on backups/storage purposes involving these devices. We make
the same recommendation re archived material, e.g., photos, videos,
irreplaceable data of any kind. Where critical data of any type is
involved we strongly recommend copying such to other media as well, e.g.,
CDs, DVDs, HDDs, etc.
Simply stated we have found these USB flash-type devices seem to have an
unusually high rate of failure notwithstanding the published
specifications of these devices that would seem to suggest differently.
Anna
You point about having a backup of anything critical is crucial regardless
of the medium chosen. The archival life of all the media you mentioned is
unbelievably short. Even writing it on paper gives you an archival life of
less than 20 years.
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: USB backup program
- From: Anna
- Re: USB backup program
- References:
- USB backup program
- From: George Mooth
- Re: USB backup program
- From: smlunatick
- Re: USB backup program
- From: M.I.5¾
- Re: USB backup program
- From: Anna
- USB backup program
- Prev by Date: Re: Drivers for VIA VT8237A
- Next by Date: Re: USB backup program
- Previous by thread: Re: USB backup program
- Next by thread: Re: USB backup program
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
