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Detailed Review of iDrive Online Backup Solution

Summary and history

iDrive is a product of Pro Softnet Corporation, an Internet and ASP solutions provider based in Woodland Hills, CA. Since its incorporation in 1995, Pro Softnet Corp. has been harnessing the power of IT by providing line-based solutions and specialized online software solutions for Fortune 100 corps batches. Pro Softnet also has iBackup, which is designed directly for the enterprise market.

Feature set

Security

The web portal is password protected and encrypted with 128-bit SSL encryption during transfer to and from your data centers. Once on the servers, your information is protected with AES 256-bit encryption and there is a function to set a private key. Physically, the iDrive utility is hosted in data centers in the United States. World-class facilities are specifically designed with raised floors, HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones, and seismically reinforced racks. They offer the best range of physical security features, including state-of-the-art smoke and fire suppression systems, motion sensors, 24-hour secure access, video camera surveillance, and security breach alarms.

Backup features

iDrive backs up your files by raising the block level so that only the parts of the files that are modified are loaded. Continuous backup is also used to confirm that your information is archived as soon as it changes. Also, you can set backups for specific times if you want. Unusually for online backup solutions, both network drives and removable media can be included in the backup set. However, open and locked files cannot be backed up over the network or removable drives. Files and folders can be added to the backup set by right-clicking on Windows PCs and there are status notifications and progress indicators to inform you which files are being archived and which are still waiting for backup. Support is provided for up to thirty editions of each archived file, which is great if you need to revert to a previous version of a document. If you have a lot of files to archive, iDrive offers a ‘Rapid Serve’ service for a one-time fee of $ 69.95 + tax. If you subscribe to this service, iDrive will send you an external USB hard drive to connect to your computer. Then copy all your essential files to the supplied drive and return them to you. They will charge it to your account, reducing the initial backup time from weeks to just a few days.

Restore functions

Files can be recovered from the local client by right-clicking on the file or directory you need to restore or from the Internet site by navigating to the file you want to restore and selecting the edition you want to restore.

Control and analysis

There is no processor management, however there are bandwidth controls. Registration and reporting are available both on the website and in the client program. Support for socks and https proxy servers is also provided.

Interface

There is an administration portal in the Basic, Pro and Family versions and a much more extensive administration portal in the SME version. Multiple account management is available in the family and corporate versions. All versions use the client software.

Device support

Windows and MAC client computers are supported, as well as server computers, as well as any Internet-enabled machines through the online portal. There are specific applications for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. There is also a plugin for WordPress that allows you to archive your blog website!

Limitations

The Basic, Pro and Family versions cannot be used commercially. The Basic and Pro versions allow 1 device backup; the family edition supports up to five machines per account and the SME edition supports up to 100 accounts.

File sharing and collaboration

iDrive is an archiving program, not a file sharing or collaboration service.

Synchronization

The devices are synchronized with the web portal, but not directly with each other. Syncing more than on device is only an option on Family and SME versions.

Web 2.0 integration

None.

Customer Support

Telephone support is offered only during business hours. Live chat and email support are available. Self-help is available through user guides, white papers, datasheets, FAQs, testimonials, case studies, and a demo. There is no forum but there is a blog. There is no free trial, but there is a free version that provides two GigaBytes of storage.

Easy to use

The client program takes a few minutes to download and configure. In less than 5 minutes, you could start your first backup. Both the portal and client interfaces are simple, and with the Windows Explorer extension installed, you can right-click on any file and instantly back up or attach it to your scheduled backup. Restores are easy too, if there are many versions of a file, you can choose the version you want using the date stamp. There is also a very nifty search capability for all backed up files.

cost

  • Initial setup cost: free Monthly cost: Basic – free; Pro – $ 4.95 / month; Family – $ 14.95 / month; SMEs: from $ 9.95 / month to $ 49.95 / month
  • Annual cost: Basic – free; Pro – $ 49.50 / year; Family – $ 149.50 / year; SMEs: from $ 99.50 / year to $ 499.50 / year
  • Amount of initial storage allowed: Basic – 2 Gb; Pro – 150 Gb; Family: 500 Gb; SMEs: from 50 Gb to 500 Gb +
  • Additional storage cost: SMB – $ 0.50 / gb / month
  • Cost of additional devices / PCs / users: n / a
  • Electronic billing service: Yes

Conclution

If you are looking for an easy-to-use, no-frills internet backup service, iDrive is a great option. The price is good and the family and the corporation. versions have useful and appropriate additional features to allow control of many accounts / machines. The interface is simple and clear, the client software does not use many resources and the encryption of its files both in transit and on its servers is equivalent to any bank.

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