Q. How long does the backup take?
A. For home systems, the initial backup can take anything from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the amount of data on your PC and the speed of your internet connection. This is because of the time it takes to send data via an ADSL connection. If your total data size is more than 2GB, we recommend you call us as we have several options you may wish to take advantage of. If you are taking a backup of a server then the size of the backup could be over 10Gb. It is definitely recommended that you contact us so we can discuss with you the best way to take the initial backup.
For subsequent daily backups, only new or changed information needs to be transmitted to our secure backup servers. This typically accounts for less than 2% of your data, so these backups usually take very little time at all – often just a few minutes. You may notice a slight change in your PC’s processing speed while the backup is taking place, but that’s all. There is no reason why you cannot continue working on your computer normally whilst the backup is in progress. Overall, it’s much less hassle than running manual backups yourself to an external hard drive or CD's/DVD's.
We have a simple online calculator so you can work out how long your backup may take here.
Q. What operating systems does your backup service support?
A. We can handle many different types of operating system, including:
Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 2008 / Small Business Server / Windows 7.
Redhat Linux 6.0 or above.
Apple Mac OS X v10.2 or above.
UNIX (Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, FreeBSD).
Older versions of Windows are no longer supported, such as NT, 95, 98, Me. If you are running one of these operating systems we highly recommend that you upgrade to a current operating system. These operating systems are no longer supported or security patched by Microsoft which increases the risk of your system and data being compromised.
A. Absolutely. The standard product covers all current Microsoft server platforms such as 2003, 2008 and Small Business Server, plus Linux/Unix platforms. For other servers please contact us about your specific requirements so we can advise you further.
A. Yes. Data transfers from your computer to our online backup servers are fully encrypted. The data stored on our systems is also encrypted with your own encryption key. The data can only be recovered from the system by your username and encryption key. If you forget or otherwise lose your key, the password for your account can be changed to let you back in but all data encrypted under the old key would not be recoverable unless you subsequently remember the original key, so even if someone managed to get your password reset without your knowledge they still could not access your data. It is therefore important that you make sure you remember your password and choose something secure. Even at the file system level on our servers we cannot view or access your data as it is fully encrypted and protected for additional peace of mind. Our online backup servers are also located in Telehouse Europe, a fully protected secure data centre in London Docklands with 24 hour on-site security.
Q. What if I’m working on a file when the backup takes place?
A. London Web Net Backup can backup files even when they are open. For example, we backup your Microsoft Outlook data files even when you are working with your emails. It’s worth noting that some alternative systems don’t do this. For server backups, open files can also be backed up using Volume Shadow Copy, and specific requirements of servers such as SQL and Exchange are adhered to by the software to ensure integrity.
Q. When are the backups taken?
A. We recommend that backups are automatically scheduled to take place once a day. If you wish to backup more frequently it is easy to alter the settings so that you have a secure copy of critical data more often. Provided your computer/server is switched on and online, the backup will happen ‘behind the scenes’. We generally recommend that you set the backup to occur in the evening, when business networks are generally quieter and best able to transfer data. If that doesn’t suit your own requirements then of course any time of day is fine.
Q. What if my PC is switched off, or the broadband connection is down when the backup is scheduled?
A. You will receive and automatic ‘error report’ email to let you know that a backup was unsuccessful (this report is also available online via our password-protected web interface). You then need to initiate the backup manually, which only takes a moment through the easy-to-use interface. Alternatively, you can configure the system to backup the next time you are online.
Q. What if I have more than one PC or laptop in my business?
A. Whether your PCs are networked or not, for a system that isn’t based around an office server you would install the backup capability on each computer. They would then each backup automatically. For billing purposes, we can raise a single payment request to cover all the machines that you have using the service. If on the other hand you run a server-based office system, you can install our server solutions directly on the server. If you are unsure which product to install please contact us to discuss your system configuration so we can suggest a suitable solution.
Q. If I am happy with the service, how can I convert my trial to a full account?
A. Once you are happy to proceed, contact us and we will arrange ongoing payment for the service with you. This can be via credit/debit card, standing order or for business customers via invoice.
To proceed contact our administration department on 020 8349 4500.
Q. What happens as my backup grows and I need more space?
A. Each backup report you receive will show the amount of quota used. If you need more quota, contact us and we will make the necessary adjustments for you.
Q. How big is a trial account and what happens if I need more space?
A standard trial account is 5Gb in size, free for 30 days. If you need more space than this you can convert your account to a paid account at any time, not just after 30 days. Contact us and we can help you further.
Q. What if I don’t want to continue after the free trial or I want to cancel my account?
A. If you decide not to proceed or want to cancel your account at a later date, let us know and we will delete all of your data on our backup servers. We will also tell you how to delete the London Web Net Backup software from your computer to put things back as they were.
A. The monthly fee is linked to the amount of data you store on the backup servers:
For a limited time the charges have been simplified….
Per month (£10 for the account + £1 per GB storage)
examples:
Storage of 5Gb = £15 (£10 account plus 5 x £1)
Storage of 20Gb = £30 (£10 account plus 20 x £1)
Q. I have another question not answered here
Please contact us and we will assist you further.