archiving as opposed to backing up

From: Patrick/VCM SysOp <patrick_at_vintagecomputermarketplace.com>
Date: Wed Sep 22 13:05:24 2004

> > A useful service I admit. You could implement this by simulating a
> > remote "mount" using an ssh tunnel, or (ugh) NFS.
>
> I'd like to, since even at the lowest service level (5GB) I
> think the $9.95 per month charge is a bit much, at least for
> a cheap bastard like me.

Funny you should say that Sellam. I've been thinking a bit about their
business model since the topic came up. If they're using RAID 0+1 (adequate
and cheaper than RAID 5 for this application), and assuming they use
"street" 73GB SCSI hard drives, then, ignoring the processor the drives are
connected to, it would cost them over $400 for 73GB worth of drives (a pair
for 0+1, SCA), but they're selling it for less than $150. And that doesn't
include the cost of the SAN, bandwidth, etc. SAN manufacturer-branded
drives are even more expensive usually. I wonder where and how their
economy of scale is that makes it work. Maybe they're picking up Network
Appliances from eBay. :-)

There was an earlier comment about multiple data centers; doubtful, with
these economics.

Patrick
Received on Wed Sep 22 2004 - 13:05:24 BST