Backup solution

Chaeo · 23 January 2010, 16:29

Running a BBS on an A1200, we currently lha the main files, FTP'ing them to a nearby PC as backup (cron job). For absolute security we'd like to isolate the Amiga and have it backup to...itself, somewhere. The HDD in the Amiga has 2 partitions, SYS and WORK. The BBS is on WORK. Backing up to SYS doesn't sound that great an idea, so what other options do we have? Not floppy and nothing PCMCIA (in use by a 3com card). Secondary hard driver, perhaps? And if so, how? There's a Blizzard running in the trapdoor socket.

Loedown · 24 January 2010, 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaeo

Running a BBS on an A1200, we currently lha the main files, FTP'ing them to a nearby PC as backup (cron job). For absolute security we'd like to isolate the Amiga and have it backup to...itself, somewhere. The HDD in the Amiga has 2 partitions, SYS and WORK. The BBS is on WORK. Backing up to SYS doesn't sound that great an idea, so what other options do we have? Not floppy and nothing PCMCIA (in use by a 3com card). Secondary hard driver, perhaps? And if so, how? There's a Blizzard running in the trapdoor socket.

Something via one of the ports, will be slow but reliable, like a parnet or serial null modem cable?

alexh · 24 January 2010, 02:41

What kind of hard drive do you have?

The A1200's internal hard drive interface (IDE) can take two IDE hard drives. If you only have one at the moment you could either add another or a Compact flash card via IDE->CF adapter. If you have two you can fit a four-way splitter to use 4 drives.

Blizzard cards can usually fit a SCSI module and with that you could use an external SCSI enclosure for a Hard Drive or DVD Writer.

Chaeo · 25 January 2010, 07:27

Hrm, yeah - I forgot all about the serial port.

My current HDD is a 2.5 IDE, I didn't know the Amiga could handle two drives. I think I'll be trying out the Compact flash card idea, I've found another thread here all about it - although I've yet to study the Blizzard option. DVD writer's out of the question, my backups are daily and I really don't like playing with discs. The idea of the external enclosure - will that rely on the Amiga's power supply? That question also goes for a second hard drive, I seem to recall the lightweight PSU for the Amiga isn't much cop, compared to the old heavy brick version (which I don't have).

alexh · 25 January 2010, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaeo

The idea of the external enclosure - will that rely on the Amiga's power supply?

No. External SCSI enclosures have their own power. This is the safest option with the least amount of downtime but it is also the most expensive. I imagine you would be looking at £80 for a Blizzard SCSI module + external SCSI enclosure + cables + SCSI hard drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaeo

That question also goes for a second hard drive

Yes. But you may as well fit a CF card or perhaps two and replace the HD which will use much less power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaeo

I seem to recall the lightweight PSU for the Amiga isn't much cop, compared to the old heavy brick version (which I don't have).

Look at the power rating on the bottom of your PSU.

cosmicfrog · 25 January 2010, 12:41

i would go the duel cf card route myself

Fingerlickin_B · 25 January 2010, 12:59

Awesome!

Chaeo · 29 January 2010, 04:48

^ haha very good :P

Back to business...I'll check out the power supply output later when I have the nerve to dig in a cupboard of rubbish. The dual-CF option looks gorgeous, booting from floppy I presume according to the other thread. I will actually have the cash to do the whole SCSI thing, but CF first! I'll see how it goes and report back. Dual-CF is a silent system, which would be nice. My current Amiga drive does like to whine a bit.

alexh · 30 January 2010, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaeo

The dual-CF option looks gorgeous, booting from floppy I presume according to the other thread.

Why? You can boot from CF if it is connected to the internal IDE.

Chaeo · 30 January 2010, 13:50

Oh, cool. I don't know where I read that then. Sweet!

Loedown · 30 January 2010, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Why? You can boot from CF if it is connected to the internal IDE.

Every single one, or most of them?

The two I got were both able to boot, but I have read that not all will.

Jope · 30 January 2010, 20:33

99% of the time if it works at all, it is also bootable. :-)

There are some that don't work properly though.

Chaeo · 31 January 2010, 02:29

I'll take this into the prb.Hardware sticky CF thread now, thanks guys. Although, this is probably going to get ugly, since that thread is a mess.

23 January 2010, 16:29	#1
Chaeo Monkey Slapper Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 71	Backup solution Running a BBS on an A1200, we currently lha the main files, FTP'ing them to a nearby PC as backup (cron job). For absolute security we'd like to isolate the Amiga and have it backup to...itself, somewhere. The HDD in the Amiga has 2 partitions, SYS and WORK. The BBS is on WORK. Backing up to SYS doesn't sound that great an idea, so what other options do we have? Not floppy and nothing PCMCIA (in use by a 3com card). Secondary hard driver, perhaps? And if so, how? There's a Blizzard running in the trapdoor socket.

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24 January 2010, 02:41	#3
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,343	What kind of hard drive do you have? The A1200's internal hard drive interface (IDE) can take two IDE hard drives. If you only have one at the moment you could either add another or a Compact flash card via IDE->CF adapter. If you have two you can fit a four-way splitter to use 4 drives. Blizzard cards can usually fit a SCSI module and with that you could use an external SCSI enclosure for a Hard Drive or DVD Writer.

25 January 2010, 07:27	#4
Chaeo Monkey Slapper Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 71	Hrm, yeah - I forgot all about the serial port. My current HDD is a 2.5 IDE, I didn't know the Amiga could handle two drives. I think I'll be trying out the Compact flash card idea, I've found another thread here all about it - although I've yet to study the Blizzard option. DVD writer's out of the question, my backups are daily and I really don't like playing with discs. The idea of the external enclosure - will that rely on the Amiga's power supply? That question also goes for a second hard drive, I seem to recall the lightweight PSU for the Amiga isn't much cop, compared to the old heavy brick version (which I don't have).

25 January 2010, 12:41	#6
cosmicfrog The 1 who ribbits Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leek, Staffs, UK Age: 56 Posts: 3,557	i would go the duel cf card route myself

25 January 2010, 12:59	#7
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	Awesome!

29 January 2010, 04:48	#8
Chaeo Monkey Slapper Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 71	^ haha very good :P Back to business...I'll check out the power supply output later when I have the nerve to dig in a cupboard of rubbish. The dual-CF option looks gorgeous, booting from floppy I presume according to the other thread. I will actually have the cash to do the whole SCSI thing, but CF first! I'll see how it goes and report back. Dual-CF is a silent system, which would be nice. My current Amiga drive does like to whine a bit.

30 January 2010, 13:50	#10
Chaeo Monkey Slapper Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 71	Oh, cool. I don't know where I read that then. Sweet!

30 January 2010, 20:33	#12
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,862	99% of the time if it works at all, it is also bootable. :-) There are some that don't work properly though.

31 January 2010, 02:29	#13
Chaeo Monkey Slapper Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 71	I'll take this into the prb.Hardware sticky CF thread now, thanks guys. Although, this is probably going to get ugly, since that thread is a mess.

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