Set-up is simple: Plug it in, connect to your network, and turn it on. The actual backup process begins in minutes.

The components:

Backing Up Data

The LifeLine•DVD administrator selects the computers, folders, and/or files that are to be backed up. LifeLine•DVD then scans the network and copies to its hard drive any files that have not already been backed up, or have changed since the last backup. When there is enough information to fill a DVD, or at a minimum of once per week, backed up information is written to a DVD. The administrator is informed both on the LifeLine•DVD interface and by e-mail when it is time to insert a blank DVD, and told exactly what to write on the DVD to identify it. To save space, when two or more identical files are backed up from anywhere on the network, just a single copy of the data is retained. Data on LifeLine•DVD is compressed, such that 940 gigabytes of data can be stored on DVDs which take up less than ¼ cubic foot of space.

Restoring Data

Data can be restored several different ways, including one file, one folder, or one PC at a time. When restoring specific files, you can select one or more versions to restore from the list of all versions previously backed up by LifeLine•DVD (shown with the date and time the file was backed up). This lets you recover any file as it existed at a certain time in the past. Recently backed up data resides on LifeLine•DVD and can be restored very quickly and without the need to insert the DVD copy of this data. Older data is restored from DVD and the user is told exactly which DVD to load.

LifeLine•DVD Security

The user communicates with LifeLine•DVD through a graphical user interface that establishes a secure communication link. Access to the user interface is controlled by a pass phrase you choose (and can change). LifeLine•DVD runs automatically; backups are never missed because someone didn’t have time to stay late or forgot to load a tape. Two copies are made of every permanent DVD; one is designated for secure offsite storage to be used only for disaster recovery. All DVDs created by LifeLine•DVD are carefully verified against the original data to ensure the information is exactly correct. A daily report of LifeLine•DVD activity is e-mailed to the administrator, and can be saved as a permanent record of backups and restores.

LifeLine•DVD creates a secure and unique software encryption key as part of the installation process. All files are encrypted when first copied to LifeLine•DVD. Your data, whether on the LifeLine•DVD disk drive or on backup DVDs, can only be accessed by your LifeLine•DVD. If your data discs are lost or stolen, no one else will be able to read them. If your LifeLine•DVD itself is ever destroyed or stolen, the “Key Disc” you created during installation of the original LifeLine•DVD is used to make a replacement unit operate just like your original one.