Storing, Compressing, and Backing up your Data and Files

File compression
Backup of large datasets
Iron Mountain - automatic backup service (faculty & staff Windows users only)
MyFiles@bc - Web-based file storage, file sharing, and backup space
Portable USB devices
CDs or DVDs
External hard drives
Departmental Servers (faculty & staff only)

File Compression

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

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, in the Summer of 2007, ITS will 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.

Iron Mountain Backup Service (faculty and staff Windows users only).

Automatically backup all of the files/data stored on your Windows computer.

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.
Requirements: Currently available for Windows; Service for Mac OS will be available soon.
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 Web site.

MyFiles@bc

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

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 Tiger| Using a Web browser.

Capacity: 1 GB for Faculty & Staff (more available upon request) 100 MB for Students..
Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac.
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.

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 Windows and Mac. Requires an available USB port.
Benefits: Very small and portable. Memory sticks and flash drives can be reused many times.

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.

Burn your data and files on CD or DVD: Windows XP (Roxio) | Windows XP (Sonic) | Mac OS X Tiger | Mac OS X Jaguar
CDs and DVDs are available from the BC Bookstore or stores like Staples or BestBuy.

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.

Learn how to copy files to an external hard drive.

Capacity: Up to 750 GB on a single drive
Requirements: External hard drives are vailable 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.

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.

Need more help?

Contact the Help Center: 552-HELP (2-HELP from on-campus), help.center@bc.edu, or www.bc.edu/gethelp.
Students: You can also visit the walk-in Help Center in O'Neill 248 next to the Campus Technology Resource Center (CTRC).