Backblaze Storage Pod software offers cloud storage and backup solutions that are designed to be easy to use and highly reliable.
The software is built on top of Backblaze's own cloud storage infrastructure, which is designed to provide fast and secure data storage.
Backblaze Storage Pod software is designed to integrate seamlessly with other cloud storage solutions, making it easy to manage your data across multiple platforms.
With Backblaze Storage Pod software, you can store and backup your data in a secure and reliable manner, with features like automatic backups and versioning.
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Storage Capacity
The Backblaze Pod 6.0 can store an incredible 480TB of data, which is a staggering amount of storage.
You can download the CAD files for the Pod and build one yourself for $16,300, which works out to a cost of $0.036 per gigabyte.
The company uses consumer-grade drives, not enterprise ones, and accounts for drive failures by ensuring there's enough redundancy to avoid data loss.
Backblaze can build one of its units for under $9,000, which is a significant factor in why it can offer unlimited file storage for $5 a month.
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Specifications
Backblaze storage pod software has some impressive specifications that make it a great option for those who want a simple and effective backup solution.
Backblaze offers unlimited backup storage for a single PC, which is a huge advantage for those with large files or extensive computer usage.
Here are some key specifications to keep in mind:
This means that you can store as many files as you need on your single PC without worrying about running out of space.
Specs
Backblaze offers unlimited storage for a single PC, which is a big plus for those who want to backup their entire computer without worrying about storage space. This makes it an ideal choice for people with large files or collections.
The base plan comes with unlimited storage, which is a game-changer for those who need to backup a lot of data. However, it's worth noting that this plan only supports one computer.
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One of the key features of Backblaze is its ability to backup multiple external hard drives. This is a great option for those who have external drives and want to make sure their data is safe.
Backblaze also offers 30 versions of each file, which is kept for 30 days. This means that if you make any changes to a file, you'll have 30 previous versions to refer back to.
Here are the key specs of Backblaze at a glance:
Reed-Solomon Erasure Coding
Reed-Solomon Erasure Coding allows for an arbitrary mix of data and parity shards. We're currently using 17 data shards plus three parity shards, but this can be changed with a simple configuration update.
The beauty of Reed-Solomon is that we can re-create the original file from any 17 of the shards. This is made possible by using group theory and matrix algebra.
If one of the original data shards is unavailable, it can be re-computed from the other 16 original shards, plus one of the parity shards. This is a huge advantage in terms of data redundancy.
We wrote a Reed-Solomon implementation from scratch, which we open-sourced, and it was exciting to be able to use our college group theory and matrix algebra knowledge.
Cost and Pricing
Backblaze storage is a cost-effective option, especially for individuals with one computer to worry about. It costs $9 per month or $99 per year for unlimited cloud backup storage, which is a great deal compared to other online backup services.
You can also opt for a 2-year plan for $189, which saves you $27 over the monthly plan. Backblaze doesn't have a permanent free account level, but you can get a 15-day trial to test the service.
The pricing is simple and fixed at $9 per device, per month, which includes unlimited cloud storage and 1-year of historic file versioning. Additional historic file versioning is available for an extra $0.006 per GB stored, per month.
Here are the different pricing plans available:
- Monthly plan: $9 / month (per device)
- 1 Year plan: $99 / year (save $9 over the monthly plan)
- 2 Year plan: $189 / 2-years (save $27 over the monthly plan)
The Bottom Line
Backblaze is a cost-effective online backup service that's hard to beat in terms of price, with a basic plan starting at just $5 per month.
For users who need more storage space, Backblaze offers a generous 15% discount for annual payments, making it an even more affordable option.
Backblaze's pricing structure is straightforward, with no hidden fees or surprises, which is a big plus in my book.
The service's focus on simplicity and ease of use makes it a great choice for those who want a hassle-free backup solution.
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Pricing
Backblaze's pricing is surprisingly simple and straightforward. For just $9 per month or $99 per year, you get unlimited cloud backup storage for one computer.
You can also pre-purchase longer-term plans to save money, with options available for 1 and 2-year plans. For example, the 2-year plan costs $189, which is a saving of $27 compared to the monthly plan.
If you need to back up multiple computers, the cost increases accordingly. For instance, if you want to back up five PCs, the cost jumps to $350 per year.
Backblaze also offers a 15-day free trial, which is a great way to test out the service without committing to a payment plan.
Here's a quick summary of Backblaze's pricing options:
It's worth noting that Backblaze's pricing is competitive with other online backup services, but it's essential to consider your specific needs and requirements before making a decision.
User Interface
The Backblaze user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate. You can download and install the software for a 15-day free trial, giving you a risk-free way to try out the service.
The installation process is a great starting point for understanding the interface, as it sets the tone for the rest of your experience. Backblaze offers an unlimited 15-day free trial to new users, allowing you to try out the cloud backup solution without committing.
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Desktop Interface
The desktop interface of Backblaze is straightforward and easy to use.
You can download and install the latest edition of the Backblaze backup software for a 15-day free trial, giving you a risk-free way to try out the cloud backup solution.
The installation process is a good starting point for assessing the full range of backup functionality offered by Backblaze.
Backblaze offers an unlimited 15-day free trial to new users, allowing you to test the cloud backup service without any commitment.
The desktop application can be configured to assess the full range of backup functionality on offer.
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Web and Sharing
Backblaze's web interface is effective and straightforward, matching the design of the desktop application. It provides an overview of your backup, including version history, selected files, and upload status.
The main panel shows a clear summary of your backup, making it easy to navigate. You can view more information in the left panel.
The View/Restore Files section is where you'll likely spend most of your time, as it allows you to browse your backed-up files. This is the most essential part of the web interface.
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To share files, you need to enable the B2 Cloud option in your account settings. This service is separate from the main Backblaze backup, offering additional storage and download capacity.
Backblaze users get 10GB of total storage and 1GB of downloads (per day) free on B2, with additional storage costing $0.006 per GB and increased download capacity costing $0.01 per GB per month.
Sharing a file makes it public, and anyone with the sharing link can access it. You can access these shared files from the My Shared Files section of the main navigation menu.
Backblaze's Locate My Computer panel can track the location of your backed-up device, the last upload set, and the computer's IP address. In testing, Backblaze successfully located the test computer.
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Mobile Apps
The mobile app experience is a crucial part of using a cloud backup service, and Backblaze's app is pretty basic.
We tested both the Android and iOS apps and had no issues signing in to a test account.
The main screen shows all the backup devices linked to your account.
You can access any files you downloaded from your backup from the hidden left-hand menu.
The app settings are also sparse, with only a few options like remembering your login info and enabling biometric login.
Browsing for backed-up files can be tedious, especially since you can only navigate your file tree one level at a time.
However, Backblaze does allow you to move back up the file tree without starting from the top, which is a nice feature.
The app's search bar works fine, but there's no way to filter files by type or size in the results.
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Backup Process
The backup process with Backblaze is a breeze, and it's easy to see why it's a top choice for many users. Backblaze is ideal for novice users or those who don't want to fuss with settings and only have a single computer.
It's easy to set up and works in the background to protect your files. Backblaze's encryption features are particularly noteworthy.
To get started, simply sign up for an account, download the software installer, and let it do its thing. The initial backup process is quick and painless, and you'll be up and running in no time.
Here are some key features of Backblaze's backup process:
- Unlimited storage
- Supports multi-factor authentication and private encryption keys
- Ability to back up or restore via mailed drive
- Fast upload speeds
Backup File Speed
Backup File Speed is a crucial aspect of the backup process. It can make or break your experience with a backup service.
Backblaze, in particular, took around 27 minutes to upload three 1GB file sets with the default settings. This was over a home Ethernet connection with a 16Mbps upload speed.
A representative from Backblaze suggested increasing the threading/throttling settings to improve performance. This change significantly improved Backblaze's performance, even with variations in network speed.
In our tests, Backblaze performed well with an average time of 13:34 minutes:seconds. This was slightly slower than IDrive and ElephantDrive, but quicker than Zoolz BigMind.
The test device used was a Dell Inspiron tower running Windows 10 with a 256GB SSD and 32GB RAM. This hardware configuration likely contributed to the differences in backup speed observed between services.
Here's a comparison of the average backup times in our tests:
- IDrive: 12:29 minutes:seconds
- ElephantDrive: 12:44 minutes:seconds
- Backblaze: 13:34 minutes:seconds
- Zoolz BigMind: 13:55 minutes:seconds
Making Backups
Backblaze is ideal for novice users or those who don't want to fuss with settings and only have a single computer. It's easy to set up and works in the background to protect your files.
The service offers unlimited storage, which is a huge plus for those with large file collections. This means you can store as many files as you want without worrying about running out of space.
Backblaze supports multi-factor authentication and private encryption keys, providing an extra layer of security for your backed-up data. This is a great feature for those who want to keep their files safe from unauthorized access.
One of the most appealing features of Backblaze is its ability to back up or restore via mailed drive. This is a convenient option for those who don't have access to a stable internet connection.
Here are some of the key features of Backblaze:
- Unlimited st
Supports multi-factor authentication and private encryption keys
Ability to back up or restore via mailed drive
Fast upload speeds
Handling Drive Failures
Handling drive failures is a crucial aspect of the backup process.
Data can still be written to other drives in the tome even if one drive fails, as long as there are two parity shards.
A dead drive can be replaced, and the Vault software will automatically populate the new drive with the necessary shards.
The contents of the drives will be re-created when the drives are replaced, so you don't have to worry about losing any data.
You can lose up to three drives in the same tome at the same time without losing any data.
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Security and Data Protection
Backblaze takes the security of your data very seriously, with strong zero-knowledge encryption as the foundation of their cloud backup solution.
This encryption uses the highly secure AES 256-bit encryption technology, which is widely accepted as an industry standard for securing backed-up data.
Backblaze makes it easy to use, with a simple click of a button and entry of a strong password to activate this high level of security.
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But remember, if you forget your password, your data could be lost and unrecoverable, so make sure to keep it safe!
Backblaze also offers optional multi-factor authentication for an extra layer of security, and enforces the use of strong TLS / SSL secure connections for transferring data to their data centers.
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Security
Backblaze takes security seriously, offering strong zero-knowledge encryption for all data uploaded to and stored in the cloud. This means that only you have access to your encrypted data, even Backblaze can't see it.
The encryption technology used is AES 256-bit, which is widely accepted as an industry standard and provides high levels of data security. It's also a very stable encryption technology.
To activate this high level of security, you simply need to click a button and enter a strong password. Just remember to keep that password safe, because if you forget it, your data could be lost and unrecoverable.
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Backblaze also enhances security with optional multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection to your account. This way, even if someone gets your password, they won't be able to access your account without the second factor.
Secure connections are also enforced for transferring data from devices to Backblaze data centres, using TLS / SSL protocols. This ensures that your data is transferred safely and securely.
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Handling Data Corruption
Data corruption can be a major issue, especially when it comes to sensitive information. Disk drives can return incorrect data or fail to read a sector, causing problems.
This is where checksums come in handy. Every shard stored in a Vault has a checksum, which allows the software to detect corrupted data.
If a shard is corrupted, it's recomputed from the other shards and then rewritten to disk. This ensures that the data remains accurate and secure.
In contrast, conventional RAID can't deal well with corrupted data because it doesn't checksum the data. This makes it less reliable for protecting sensitive information.
With Vault's checksum-based approach, you can rest assured that your data is protected from corruption and errors.
Cloud Storage
Backblaze offers unlimited cloud storage for a low cost of just $9 per month or $99 per year per device, making it a great value for those seeking a cloud backup solution.
The service is incredibly easy to use, with a simple software installer that connects to your Backblaze account and begins backing up your data automatically.
Backblaze's cloud backup product is available for both Windows and Mac OS users, providing a seamless experience across different operating systems.
As a user of Backblaze myself, I can attest to the service's reliability and effectiveness in protecting my data.
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Cloud Backup
Backblaze is a leading cloud backup service that offers unlimited cloud storage for a low cost of $9 per month or $99 per year per device.
Their software is extremely easy to install and use, making it perfect for those who may not be tech-savvy.
The process of getting an initial device backup in place is simple, requiring only a few seconds of waiting time after signing up for an account and downloading the software installer.
I've been a fan of Backblaze for a long time and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a cloud backup solution that's easy to use and provides good value.
The Backblaze cloud backup product includes unlimited historic file versioning, which is a valuable feature for those who need to access previous versions of their files.
The cost of $9 per month or $99 per year per device is a great deal, especially considering the unlimited cloud storage and other features included.
Cloud Storage Architecture
Cloud Storage Architecture is built on a simple principle: keep it simple. This approach has been a cornerstone of Backblaze's design philosophy.
The company's Vault storage software relies on tried and true technologies to build a reliable system.
A Backblaze Vault is the combination of the Backblaze Vault cloud storage software and the Backblaze Storage Pod hardware.
This straightforward design makes it an inexpensive and efficient solution for cloud storage.
Storage Pods
The Backblaze Storage Pod is a game-changer for cloud storage. It's a hardware design that can store 480TB of data in a single chassis, equivalent to 60 hard drives.
Backblaze is a cloud storage and backup company that hosts 200 million gigabytes of files, and they've open-sourced their hardware designs, allowing anyone to build a version of the Pod. This has led to universities, businesses, and hobbyists taking advantage of the design.
The Backblaze Pod 6.0 is the latest iteration, crammed with 60 hard drives in a 4U chassis, while keeping factors like heat and performance in check. It's an impressive feat of engineering.
The company uses consumer-grade drives instead of enterprise ones, and accounts for drive failures by ensuring there's enough redundancy to avoid data loss. This is why Backblaze's annual reports on drive reliability are a must-read for any hardware enthusiast.
The Backblaze Storage Pod is built with free software, Debian and Apache, to connect the pods to the network. A Storage Pod can have one of two personalities: an individual Storage Pod or a Backblaze Vault Storage Pod.
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Each Storage Pod has 45 hard drives connected through SATA controllers, and uses the fdisk tool on Linux to create one partition per drive. This allows for a single RAID6 volume with two parity drives.
For individual Storage Pods, 15 hard drives are clustered into a single RAID6 volume, while for Backblaze Vault Storage Pods, each is one of 20 pods needed to create a Backblaze Vault.
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Vault Benefits
Using Backblaze Storage Pod Software offers a range of benefits, especially for businesses and individuals with large data storage needs.
One of the key benefits is automatic data protection, which ensures that your data is safely stored and easily recoverable in case of a disaster.
Data is duplicated and stored across multiple pods, providing a high level of redundancy and minimizing the risk of data loss.
This redundancy allows for the recovery of data even if a single pod fails, providing peace of mind for users.
The software also offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage and monitor your data storage, including tracking capacity usage and monitoring pod health.
With Backblaze, you can easily scale your storage needs as your business grows, without having to worry about the hassle and expense of managing your own storage infrastructure.
This scalability makes it an ideal solution for businesses and individuals with fluctuating data storage needs.
Installation and Usability
The installation and usability of Backblaze is a breeze. You can create a free account and start a 15-day free trial to try out the service risk-free.
The installation process begins at the Backblaze website, where you can sign up for a free account and download the Backblaze installer. The installer is pre-configured with your account details, making it easy to get started.
The Backblaze installer is a quick download, coming in at just under 8MB in total size. Once running, the installation itself is completed in just a few seconds and requires only a couple of clicks.
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The use of native device software for each operating system supported is one of the main reasons Backblaze can be installed and configured so quickly and easily. This means the desktop application is specifically built to run on Windows or MacOS, unlike some other cloud backup software.
You'll be able to start backing up your important files and folders almost immediately, with the desktop application automatically selecting all relevant data for inclusion in the backup set. The backup process will then begin automatically, saving your data to the Backblaze cloud.
The default application settings will work just fine for most PC and MacOS users, and the Backblaze software can be left to run in the background without any further user input required.
History and Features
Backblaze Storage Pod software has a fascinating history that's worth exploring. The company started out by developing a way to store customer data inexpensively and safely, which led to the creation of the Backblaze Storage Pod.
The Backblaze Storage Pod is the key building block of their cloud storage system. It's built with 45, and now 60, hard drives in a 4U sized server made from commercially available parts.
Backblaze has introduced new and improved designs over the years, and with each new version, they've open-sourced the hardware design. This means anyone can build their own high-capacity storage server for a fraction of the cost.
One notable design is the Pod 6.0, which features 60 drives and 480TB of storage. This is a significant upgrade from earlier designs, which were still impressive in their own right.
Here's a brief overview of some of the notable designs:
The company's commitment to open-sourcing their hardware design has inspired many people to build their own high-capacity storage servers, all for a fraction of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Backblaze use CEPH?
Backblaze uses Ceph's replication mechanisms to provide high availability, but Ceph itself is not used within individual Storage Pods. Instead, Ceph is used at the system level to aggregate multiple pods for redundancy.
Does Backblaze use Raid?
Yes, Backblaze uses RAID technology to create highly reliable storage volumes, but with a unique twist: each volume is made up of 15 hard drives, including two parity drives for added redundancy. This setup is part of what makes Backblaze Vault Storage Pods so robust and secure.
Sources
- ExtremeTech reported (extremetech.com)
- Backblaze Review (pcmag.com)
- Backblaze Review [Unlimited Cloud Backup] (bestbackupreviews.com)
- Backblaze Storage Pod (backblaze.com)
- Reed-Solomon erasure coding (cmu.edu)
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