archiving as opposed to backing up

[Patrick/VCM SysOp]

> > 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