subject:"\"DROBO \\\- Storage Robot\""

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-21 Thread Ronda Brown


Hello Mark,

Drobo does NOT use RAID.
"The Patent-Pending technology within Drobo is not RAID and was  
developed specifically to perform data management and configuration  
tasks automatically so that you don't have to. Drobo does utilise  
advanced storage concepts such as virtualization, but it is not a  
derivative of RAID."


Cheers,
Ronni

On 21/12/2008, at 8:20 PM, Mark Secker wrote:


IMHO:

While the Drobo is probably the only example of how to do RAID for  
SOHO users right I , personally, would not consider it or any other  
RAID solution,  to be in any way shape or form a true "back up"  
device.


(I note that DROBO seem to go out of their way to avoid using the  
word "RAID" probably for marketing reasons due to RAIDS not always  
undeserved reputation of being ... "difficult"?
but software or hardware  implemented it perambulates and enunciates  
in the manner  of an anatidae)


Relying on recoverability via multiple redundancy of  may be great  
for keeping workflow on schedule or  close to schedule  if hardware  
(disk) failure occurs  but offers little in the way of protection  
from loss due to thing such as  malicious  damage, theft, fire,  
electrical spike/surges or just plain old dumb bad luck.
And,  unfortunately, my experience with RAID systems is that even  
experienced IT professionals will often ignore that first  disk  
failure waring (and even the second disk  failure waring in RAID  
6's) and keep  working with the RAID in a degraded state... causing   
total data loss in the event of any further disk failures.


and if you think you can't possibly lose multiple disks in  quick  
succession I can tell you it happens often enough to be a real risk.  
this year I had 3 drives (1 live and 2 backup disks) all fail with  
in 3 days of each other.

the year before I had 2 drive fail (live and back up) the same day.

In both cases causing significant though not financially damaging  
data loss.


And that's just my personal experience and not even counting the  
multitude of server and user hard disks I've had to preform the last  
rights on as part of my 9-5 job.


Also though most data losses  that I've seen have been from simple  
disk failures the next most common cause, after user error (ie  
delete/format of data/drive),  has been willful/malicious deletion  
of data or damaging of drives by another party.


another of my main "objections" to the idea of a DROBO or other  
online RAID units being considered true backups is that by its  
nature data is spread across multiple disks making even off line  
disks removed from the DROBO (or RAID) and stored for backups   
unreadable as single drive  in the event of the failure  or theft of  
the DROBO (or RAID controller) unit. and that by their nature as the  
computer access these disks via also a non direct path through the  
DROBO/RAID 's proprietary controller rather than  through an  
industry standard controller (such as the disks built in ATA, SATA,  
etc)  data forensic and data recovery software when dealing with  
individual DROBO/RAID drives will have, at best, a difficult time  
recovering any usable data and most likely with SOHO grade Data  
recovery programs will not be able to recover any data at all.




I would still suggest that DROBO or no DROBO that  as a minimum you  
should possess  at least 2 media units each of sufficient size for  
backing up user data   and that these are used to create a rolling  
schedule  of  at least  one weekly (for SOHO) or at least one  every  
2 months (for purely personal systems) back up be made to a single  
unit media (disk)  and that unit stored off line and away from the  
computer (different room, or even better, different building) , the  
next scheduled backup goes on to the next media unit.   (and never  
use these units for storing anything other than backups)





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Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-21 Thread Mark Secker


IMHO:

While the Drobo is probably the only example of how to do RAID for 
SOHO users right I , personally, would not consider it or any other 
RAID solution,  to be in any way shape or form a true "back up" 
device.


(I note that DROBO seem to go out of their way to avoid using the 
word "RAID" probably for marketing reasons due to RAIDS not always 
undeserved reputation of being ... "difficult"?
but software or hardware  implemented it perambulates and enunciates 
in the manner  of an anatidae)


Relying on recoverability via multiple redundancy of  may be great 
for keeping workflow on schedule or  close to schedule  if hardware 
(disk) failure occurs  but offers little in the way of protection 
from loss due to thing such as  malicious  damage, theft, fire, 
electrical spike/surges or just plain old dumb bad luck.
And,  unfortunately, my experience with RAID systems is that even 
experienced IT professionals will often ignore that first  disk 
failure waring (and even the second disk  failure waring in RAID 6's) 
and keep  working with the RAID in a degraded state... causing  total 
data loss in the event of any further disk failures.


and if you think you can't possibly lose multiple disks in  quick 
succession I can tell you it happens often enough to be a real risk. 
this year I had 3 drives (1 live and 2 backup disks) all fail with in 
3 days of each other.

the year before I had 2 drive fail (live and back up) the same day.

In both cases causing significant though not financially damaging data loss.

And that's just my personal experience and not even counting the 
multitude of server and user hard disks I've had to preform the last 
rights on as part of my 9-5 job.


Also though most data losses  that I've seen have been from simple 
disk failures the next most common cause, after user error (ie 
delete/format of data/drive),  has been willful/malicious deletion of 
data or damaging of drives by another party.


another of my main "objections" to the idea of a DROBO or other 
online RAID units being considered true backups is that by its nature 
data is spread across multiple disks making even off line disks 
removed from the DROBO (or RAID) and stored for backups  unreadable 
as single drive  in the event of the failure  or theft of the DROBO 
(or RAID controller) unit. and that by their nature as the computer 
access these disks via also a non direct path through the DROBO/RAID 
's proprietary controller rather than  through an industry standard 
controller (such as the disks built in ATA, SATA, etc)  data 
forensic and data recovery software when dealing with individual 
DROBO/RAID drives will have, at best, a difficult time recovering any 
usable data and most likely with SOHO grade Data recovery programs 
will not be able to recover any data at all.




I would still suggest that DROBO or no DROBO that  as a minimum you 
should possess  at least 2 media units each of sufficient size for 
backing up user data   and that these are used to create a rolling 
schedule  of  at least  one weekly (for SOHO) or at least one  every 
2 months (for purely personal systems) back up be made to a single 
unit media (disk)  and that unit stored off line and away from the 
computer (different room, or even better, different building) , the 
next scheduled backup goes on to the next media unit.   (and never 
use these units for storing anything other than backups)



--
Mark Secker Computer Support Officer
ph# 61-8-6488 1855 (ECEL) 
University of Western Australia - CRICOS Provider No. 00126G
~
http://www.pbase.com/marxz

"It takes an idiot to do cool things that's why it's cool"
- Haruhara Haruka (FLCL)

Ubi fumus, ibi fumus

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Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread Ronda Brown

Thanks Duncan,

I now remember also having all the red warning lights, a bit scary.
Drobo certainly lets you know when he is not happy ;-)

Cheers,
Ronni

On 21/12/2008, at 2:56 PM, Duncan Hardman wrote:

No problem with updating the firmware but the firmware out of the
box gave us issues with all red warning lights coming on all the
drives and therefore no data or protection. Once we had updated the
firmware for both the drobo and the drobo share we have had no
problems at all and love it too :)

Hope this clears it up

Cheers

Duncan

On 21/12/2008, at 12:43 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:

That's interesting Duncan.
I know I updated the Firmware without any problems at all. I think
if I remember Drobo Dashboard asked me to, not sure though?

What issues did you experience?
Was it to do with your Firewall blocking the web-based firmware
update?

Or did it fail to install?

Cheers,
Ronni

On 21/12/2008, at 11:50 AM, Duncan Hardman Lists wrote:

I agree this is a great product BUT make sure you update the
firmware before you format the drives as we had a few minor issues.

Cheers

Duncan

Sent from my iPhone

On 21/12/2008, at 11:10 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

Hello People,

When Peta asked for advice about Backup Drives, it prompted me to
send some information on my new Backup Storage setup.
I purchased (through Daniel of MacWizardry), and have been using
the 2nd Generation "DROBO-Storage Robot" for over a month now and
I'm thoroughly impressed, he is brilliant!
He is also FUN! He has lots of lights and looks very cool sitting
on my desk. DROBO Dashboard is one neat application.

Drobo is designed to actively monitor and protect your data at
all times. It is also programmed to optimise data storage so you
don't have to.
Drobo acts as a large, single pool of storage that is always
available and it's also inherently "backed-up" on the Drobo and
protected against drive failure or disk corruption. He is One Big
Pool of Protected Storage.

Drobo has Four (4) Data Bays. He will only take 3.5" SATA1 &
SATA11 Drives NOT IDE drives.

You must have at least two drives in Drobo.
I now have in DROBO three drives. 1TB SATA + 1TB SATA + 250GB
SATA Drives, giving me 2.25TB (2.04TB Actual). 934.96GB is being
used for Protection.
When I only had 1TB + 250GB, DROBO gave me the "RED ALERT that I
must insert a new drive into the empty Data Bay indicated by the
red light".

Drobo needed extra space for protection of my data.

You can use Drobolator Capacity Calculator to help you select the
number and size of drives to fit your needs <http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobolator.html
>

You can just add new disks when you need more capacity, or
replace a smaller drive with a larger one, no data migration or
reconfiguration is required.

Your data has multiple layers of automatic protection.

Drobo works with Time Machine, SuperDuper, and other backup
software and utilities. It works perfectly with Déjà Vu (the
backup I use).

You can Network Drobo. This explains Networking Drobo:
<http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/04/drobo_hard_drive_bac.html
>

"Drobo utilises a revolutionary storage technology that makes it
simple for anyone to use, yet is powerful enough for business.
Once you experience the power of Drobo, the idea of keeping
multiple external drives or a RAID 5 array will seem as
antiquated as that 28.8Kbps modem in the back of your closet."

This latest release "Second Generation" has 2 Firewire 800 ports
& 1 USB 2.0 port.

The First generation was only USB 2.0.

"Now, it's also fast. Drobo is available with FireWire 800 and
enhanced USB 2.0 performance giving you the data protection and
ease you need, with the speed and interface you want."

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobodemo.html?ID=Macworld1>

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/FAQs.html>

Mini-Review from Engadget:
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/drobo-second-gen-mini-review/>

In-Depth Review from Automated Home (even though it's mainly
showing Windows side, it's quite informative):
<http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/Drobo-DroboShare-In-Depth-Review.html
>

The retail on them is now $1029.95 for the Drobo Storage Robot
unit. Then you use your SATA Drives or & purchase more or larger
drives when you need them.

<http://www.conexus.com.au/detail.php?item=DDH001>

Cheers,
Ronni

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Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread Duncan Hardman

No problem with updating the firmware but the firmware out of the box
gave us issues with all red warning lights coming on all the drives
and therefore no data or protection. Once we had updated the firmware
for both the drobo and the drobo share we have had no problems at all
and love it too :)

Hope this clears it up

Cheers

Duncan

On 21/12/2008, at 12:43 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:

That's interesting Duncan.
I know I updated the Firmware without any problems at all. I think
if I remember Drobo Dashboard asked me to, not sure though?

What issues did you experience?
Was it to do with your Firewall blocking the web-based firmware
update?

Or did it fail to install?

Cheers,
Ronni

On 21/12/2008, at 11:50 AM, Duncan Hardman Lists wrote:

I agree this is a great product BUT make sure you update the
firmware before you format the drives as we had a few minor issues.

Cheers

Duncan

Sent from my iPhone

On 21/12/2008, at 11:10 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

Hello People,

Drobo is designed to actively monitor and protect your data at all
times. It is also programmed to optimise data storage so you don't
have to.
Drobo acts as a large, single pool of storage that is always
available and it's also inherently "backed-up" on the Drobo and
protected against drive failure or disk corruption. He is One Big
Pool of Protected Storage.

Drobo has Four (4) Data Bays. He will only take 3.5" SATA1 &
SATA11 Drives NOT IDE drives.

Drobo needed extra space for protection of my data.

You can use Drobolator Capacity Calculator to help you select the
number and size of drives to fit your needs <http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobolator.html
>

You can just add new disks when you need more capacity, or replace
a smaller drive with a larger one, no data migration or
reconfiguration is required.

Your data has multiple layers of automatic protection.

Drobo works with Time Machine, SuperDuper, and other backup
software and utilities. It works perfectly with Déjà Vu (the
backup I use).

You can Network Drobo. This explains Networking Drobo:
<http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/04/drobo_hard_drive_bac.html
>

"Drobo utilises a revolutionary storage technology that makes it
simple for anyone to use, yet is powerful enough for business.
Once you experience the power of Drobo, the idea of keeping
multiple external drives or a RAID 5 array will seem as antiquated
as that 28.8Kbps modem in the back of your closet."

This latest release "Second Generation" has 2 Firewire 800 ports &
1 USB 2.0 port.

The First generation was only USB 2.0.

"Now, it's also fast. Drobo is available with FireWire 800 and
enhanced USB 2.0 performance giving you the data protection and
ease you need, with the speed and interface you want."

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobodemo.html?ID=Macworld1>

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/FAQs.html>

Mini-Review from Engadget:
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/drobo-second-gen-mini-review/>

In-Depth Review from Automated Home (even though it's mainly
showing Windows side, it's quite informative):
<http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/Drobo-DroboShare-In-Depth-Review.html
>

The retail on them is now $1029.95 for the Drobo Storage Robot
unit. Then you use your SATA Drives or & purchase more or larger
drives when you need them.

<http://www.conexus.com.au/detail.php?item=DDH001>

Cheers,
Ronni

backup - possibly DROBO Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread peta belczowski


Thanks everyone for suggestions.

I will contact Daniel.

Peta

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Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread Ronda Brown

That's interesting Duncan.
I know I updated the Firmware without any problems at all. I think if
I remember Drobo Dashboard asked me to, not sure though?

What issues did you experience?
Was it to do with your Firewall blocking the web-based firmware update?
Or did it fail to install?

Cheers,
Ronni

On 21/12/2008, at 11:50 AM, Duncan Hardman Lists wrote:

I agree this is a great product BUT make sure you update the
firmware before you format the drives as we had a few minor issues.

Cheers

Duncan

Sent from my iPhone

On 21/12/2008, at 11:10 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

Hello People,

Drobo is designed to actively monitor and protect your data at all
times. It is also programmed to optimise data storage so you don't
have to.
Drobo acts as a large, single pool of storage that is always
available and it's also inherently "backed-up" on the Drobo and
protected against drive failure or disk corruption. He is One Big
Pool of Protected Storage.

Drobo has Four (4) Data Bays. He will only take 3.5" SATA1 & SATA11
Drives NOT IDE drives.

You must have at least two drives in Drobo.
I now have in DROBO three drives. 1TB SATA + 1TB SATA + 250GB SATA
Drives, giving me 2.25TB (2.04TB Actual). 934.96GB is being used
for Protection.
When I only had 1TB + 250GB, DROBO gave me the "RED ALERT that I
must insert a new drive into the empty Data Bay indicated by the
red light".

Drobo needed extra space for protection of my data.

You can use Drobolator Capacity Calculator to help you select the
number and size of drives to fit your needs <http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobolator.html
>

You can just add new disks when you need more capacity, or replace
a smaller drive with a larger one, no data migration or
reconfiguration is required.

Your data has multiple layers of automatic protection.

Drobo works with Time Machine, SuperDuper, and other backup
software and utilities. It works perfectly with Déjà Vu (the backup
I use).

You can Network Drobo. This explains Networking Drobo:
<http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/04/drobo_hard_drive_bac.html
>

"Drobo utilises a revolutionary storage technology that makes it
simple for anyone to use, yet is powerful enough for business. Once
you experience the power of Drobo, the idea of keeping multiple
external drives or a RAID 5 array will seem as antiquated as that
28.8Kbps modem in the back of your closet."

This latest release "Second Generation" has 2 Firewire 800 ports &
1 USB 2.0 port.

The First generation was only USB 2.0.

"Now, it's also fast. Drobo is available with FireWire 800 and
enhanced USB 2.0 performance giving you the data protection and
ease you need, with the speed and interface you want."

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobodemo.html?ID=Macworld1>

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/FAQs.html>

Mini-Review from Engadget:
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/drobo-second-gen-mini-review/>

In-Depth Review from Automated Home (even though it's mainly
showing Windows side, it's quite informative):
<http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/Drobo-DroboShare-In-Depth-Review.html
>

The retail on them is now $1029.95 for the Drobo Storage Robot
unit. Then you use your SATA Drives or & purchase more or larger
drives when you need them.

<http://www.conexus.com.au/detail.php?item=DDH001>

Cheers,
Ronni

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread Duncan Hardman Lists

I agree this is a great product BUT make sure you update the firmware
before you format the drives as we had a few minor issues.

Cheers

Duncan

Sent from my iPhone

On 21/12/2008, at 11:10 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

Hello People,

When Peta asked for advice about Backup Drives, it prompted me to
send some information on my new Backup Storage setup.
I purchased (through Daniel of MacWizardry), and have been using the
2nd Generation "DROBO-Storage Robot" for over a month now and I'm
thoroughly impressed, he is brilliant!
He is also FUN! He has lots of lights and looks very cool sitting on
my desk. DROBO Dashboard is one neat application.

Drobo is designed to actively monitor and protect your data at all
times. It is also programmed to optimise data storage so you don't
have to.
Drobo acts as a large, single pool of storage that is always
available and it's also inherently "backed-up" on the Drobo and
protected against drive failure or disk corruption. He is One Big
Pool of Protected Storage.

Drobo has Four (4) Data Bays. He will only take 3.5" SATA1 & SATA11
Drives NOT IDE drives.

You must have at least two drives in Drobo.
I now have in DROBO three drives. 1TB SATA + 1TB SATA + 250GB SATA
Drives, giving me 2.25TB (2.04TB Actual). 934.96GB is being used for
Protection.
When I only had 1TB + 250GB, DROBO gave me the "RED ALERT that I
must insert a new drive into the empty Data Bay indicated by the red
light".

Drobo needed extra space for protection of my data.

You can use Drobolator Capacity Calculator to help you select the
number and size of drives to fit your needs <http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobolator.html
>

You can just add new disks when you need more capacity, or replace a
smaller drive with a larger one, no data migration or
reconfiguration is required.

Your data has multiple layers of automatic protection.

Drobo works with Time Machine, SuperDuper, and other backup software
and utilities. It works perfectly with Déjà Vu (the backup I use).

You can Network Drobo. This explains Networking Drobo:
<http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/04/
drobo_hard_drive_bac.html>

"Drobo utilises a revolutionary storage technology that makes it
simple for anyone to use, yet is powerful enough for business. Once
you experience the power of Drobo, the idea of keeping multiple
external drives or a RAID 5 array will seem as antiquated as that
28.8Kbps modem in the back of your closet."

This latest release "Second Generation" has 2 Firewire 800 ports & 1
USB 2.0 port.

The First generation was only USB 2.0.

"Now, it's also fast. Drobo is available with FireWire 800 and
enhanced USB 2.0 performance giving you the data protection and ease
you need, with the speed and interface you want."

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobodemo.html?ID=Macworld1>

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/FAQs.html>

Mini-Review from Engadget:
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/drobo-second-gen-mini-review/>

In-Depth Review from Automated Home (even though it's mainly showing
Windows side, it's quite informative):
<http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/Drobo-DroboShare-In-Depth-Review.html
>

The retail on them is now $1029.95 for the Drobo Storage Robot unit.
Then you use your SATA Drives or & purchase more or larger drives
when you need them.

<http://www.conexus.com.au/detail.php?item=DDH001>

Cheers,
Ronni

DROBO - Storage Robot

2008-12-20 Thread Ronda Brown

Hello People,

When Peta asked for advice about Backup Drives, it prompted me to send
some information on my new Backup Storage setup.
I purchased (through Daniel of MacWizardry), and have been using the
2nd Generation "DROBO-Storage Robot" for over a month now and I'm
thoroughly impressed, he is brilliant!
He is also FUN! He has lots of lights and looks very cool sitting on
my desk. DROBO Dashboard is one neat application.

Drobo is designed to actively monitor and protect your data at all
times. It is also programmed to optimise data storage so you don't
have to.
Drobo acts as a large, single pool of storage that is always available
and it's also inherently "backed-up" on the Drobo and protected
against drive failure or disk corruption. He is One Big Pool of
Protected Storage.

Drobo has Four (4) Data Bays. He will only take 3.5" SATA1 & SATA11
Drives NOT IDE drives.

You must have at least two drives in Drobo.
I now have in DROBO three drives. 1TB SATA + 1TB SATA + 250GB SATA
Drives, giving me 2.25TB (2.04TB Actual). 934.96GB is being used for
Protection.
When I only had 1TB + 250GB, DROBO gave me the "RED ALERT that I must
insert a new drive into the empty Data Bay indicated by the red light".

Drobo needed extra space for protection of my data.

You can use Drobolator Capacity Calculator to help you select the
number and size of drives to fit your needs <http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobolator.html
>

You can just add new disks when you need more capacity, or replace a
smaller drive with a larger one, no data migration or reconfiguration
is required.

Your data has multiple layers of automatic protection.

Drobo works with Time Machine, SuperDuper, and other backup software
and utilities. It works perfectly with Déjà Vu (the backup I use).

You can Network Drobo. This explains Networking Drobo:
<http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/04/drobo_hard_drive_bac.html>

"Drobo utilises a revolutionary storage technology that makes it
simple for anyone to use, yet is powerful enough for business. Once
you experience the power of Drobo, the idea of keeping multiple
external drives or a RAID 5 array will seem as antiquated as that
28.8Kbps modem in the back of your closet."

This latest release "Second Generation" has 2 Firewire 800 ports & 1
USB 2.0 port.

The First generation was only USB 2.0.

"Now, it's also fast. Drobo is available with FireWire 800 and
enhanced USB 2.0 performance giving you the data protection and ease
you need, with the speed and interface you want."

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/drobodemo.html?ID=Macworld1>

<http://www.drobo.com/Products/FAQs.html>

Mini-Review from Engadget:
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/drobo-second-gen-mini-review/>

In-Depth Review from Automated Home (even though it's mainly showing
Windows side, it's quite informative):
<http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/Drobo-DroboShare-In-Depth-Review.html
>

The retail on them is now $1029.95 for the Drobo Storage Robot unit.
Then you use your SATA Drives or & purchase more or larger drives when
you need them.

<http://www.conexus.com.au/detail.php?item=DDH001>

Cheers,
Ronni

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

backup - possibly DROBO Storage Robot

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

Re: DROBO - Storage Robot

DROBO - Storage Robot

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