Mac Pro Drive Setup

[Chillviper]

I just got a new Mac Pro Quad 2.8 and am setting up the internal drives. Does it makes sense to add an additional 1T drive for Time Machine and another for a clone or should the clone be an external drive?

 

[Dadioh]

I just got a new Mac Pro Quad 2.8 and am setting up the internal drives. Does it makes sense to add an additional 1T drive for Time Machine and another for a clone or should the clone be an external drive?

Depends on what you are trying to protect against. If it is hardware failure of the disk then having a time machine or clone on another internal drive will do the trick. But if you are trying to archive critical personal data against theft or destruction (e.g. fire) then the backup needs to be on an external device that is then stored remotely from the machine. Depending on the amount of data you are trying to archive you can use online solutions (e.g. mobile me) or write to DVD/Bluray and keep them safe.

 

[cosmos]

Depends on what you are trying to protect against. If it is hardware failure of the disk then having a time machine or clone on another internal drive will do the trick. But if you are trying to archive critical personal data against theft or destruction (e.g. fire) then the backup needs to be on an external device that is then stored remotely from the machine. Depending on the amount of data you are trying to archive you can use online solutions (e.g. mobile me) or write to DVD/Bluray and keep them safe.

I second Dadioh's recommendation. While I have my day to day data residing on a RAID 5 using the other three internal drive bays (with RAID card), I regularly use SuperDuper to clone my system drive and critical data off of the data drive as well. Once cloned/copied I safely store my external drive into my high quality fire rated gun safe for safe keeping. Be extra sure that you have a top quality safe as most are not up to the task when you need it most. I personally use Champion's higher end model for my needs.

 

[DanielCoffey]

I have a boot SSD drive and Time Machine drive internal to the Mac Pro and a LaCie FW800 caddy which I use as a clone (CarbonCopyCloner - free) that I have a calendar entry reminding me to update quarterly.

While the clone is still in the same building, it is in a different room to the Mac Pro. I do not have any business data to put on it, just personal stuff.

If I had anything irreplaceable, I would use an online storage service which you have to pay a fee to use.