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Storing, Compressing, and Backing Up Your Data and Files

options at boston college

Backup for Faculty and Staff Only

Other Backup Options

Are you running out of storage space? Try compressing your files. File compression is a process of "packaging" a file (or files) to use less disk space. If you are running out of storage space, or are backing up your files, we strongly suggest you compress your files. File compression is also useful when sharing files over the Internet. Learn more about file compression.

Backup for Faculty and Staff Only

Backup of Large Datasets

If you work with large datasets and the options described below, do not work for you, please contact your Technology Consultant, who will discuss and review your needs with appropriate ITS staff members.

Note: To support research, ITS put together a system that includes web, database, and Unix and Windows servers to facilitate collecting, managing, mining, analyzing, publishing, and sharing of large datasets.

Departmental Servers (faculty and staff only)

Store, share, and backup departmental sensitive or confidential data (faculty and staff only). Servers are typically backed up nightly.

Many departments have departmental servers. The capacity and usage requirements vary, depending on the department. For information on servers in your department, please contact your Technology Consultant.

Mac Automatic Backup (faculty and staff only)

Automatically backup all the files/data stored on your Mac OS X computer using Iron Mountain.

NOTE:  Iron Mountain is not yet available for Snow Leopard. Iron Mountain is planning to release a Snow Leopard-compatible version of its software early in 2010. We expect this software to be available to the BC Community in March.

Windows Automatic Backup (faculty and staff only)

Automatically backup all the files/data stored on your Windows computer using Iron Mountain.

Iron Mountain Iron Mountain service is available to backup the primary computer for each faculty and staff member in academic and administrative areas.
  • Capacity: 4 GB compressed (typically about 10 GB uncompressed). Files are automatically compressed during the backup process to the off-site location and uncompressed upon restore.
  • Benefits: Files and data are encrypted, compressed and stored on a secure, off-site server. Backup is performed on a regular basis and does not require user interaction. Files may be restored through a website.

Other Backup Options

CDs or DVDs

Store or backup certain files/data on to a CD or DVD. CDs and DVDs used for backup should be stored at a separate location.

CD Burn your data and files on CD or DVD:
Windows XP (Roxio) | Windows XP (Sonic) | Mac OS X (Leopard 10.5 & Tiger 10.4) | Mac OS X (Jaguar 10.2)
CDs and DVDs are available from the BC Bookstore or stores like Staples or Best Buy.
  • Capacity: CD: approximately 650 MB; DVD: approximately 4.3 GB; Dual-Layer DVD: approximately 8.6 GB
  • Requirements: Writable CD or DVD drive and software. Requires proper storage and handling to avoid data loss. If a rewritable CD/DVD is not used, a new disc must be used for each backup. Most faculty/staff computers currently in use will burn a CD but not a DVD.
  • Benefits: Large amounts of data may be backed up on multiple disks.

External Hard Drives

Store files or backup your data. Drives used for backup should be stored at a separate location.

External hard drive Learn how to copy files to an external hard drive.
  • Capacity: Up to 750 GB on a single drive
  • Requirements: External hard drives are available in many sizes. Requires scheduling or frequent user intervention for up-to-date backups.
  • Benefits: Can expand the storage available on your computer and can backup your entire computer, including the operating system, applications, preferences and configuration files.

MyFiles@bc

Store files/data or share select files on a secure website that is backed up nightly.

Folder

MyFiles@bc is a file storage, file sharing, web-based service provided by ITS to all BC faculty, staff, and students. It can also be used as a place to backup files.
Learn how to use MyFiles@bc: Windows | Mac OS X (Leopard 10.5 & Tiger 10.4) | Using a web browser

  • Capacity: 1 GB for Faculty and Staff (more available upon request), 100 MB for Students.
  • Requirements: Available for Mac and Windows.
  • Benefits: Files are stored on a secure server that is backed up nightly. MyFiles@bc is platform independent and can be accessed using a web browser.

Portable USB Devices (Memory Sticks and Flash Drives)

Store, transport, or backup your files/data. Capacities vary. USB devices used for backup should be stored at a separate location.

USB drive Invest in a key chain-sized memory stick available at the BC Bookstore or an online store like Amazon.com or CDWG.com.
Learn how to copy files to a USB drive.
  • Capacity: 1 to 16 GB
  • Requirements: Works with both Mac and Windows. Requires an available USB port.
  • Benefits: Very small and portable. Memory sticks and flash drives can be reused many times.

Time Machine (Mac only)

Time Machine is an automatic backup that’s built right into Mac OS X (Leopard). To start using Time Machine, all you have to do is connect an external drive (sold separately) to your Mac. Learn more about Time Machine from Apple.

Faculty and Staff: Time Machine shouldn't be your first choice for backup. Faculty and Staff are now able to backup one Apple computer using Iron Mountain. If you are interested in backing up more than one Mac using Iron Mountain or would like to discuss other backup options, please contact your Technology Consultant.