How Long Does It Take to Copy from a 2TB Hard Drive and Download the Same Data from an Online Backup Service?

A local hard drive offers significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to online backup options, even with a high-speed internet connection like Google Fiber. However, there are several advantages to online storage that cannot be overlooked, such as accessibility, automatic backups, and remote access. In this article, we explore the time taken to copy data from a 2TB hard drive and download the same data from an online backup service like CrashPlan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Local vs. Online Storage

A local hard drive is considerably faster than an online backup in terms of data transfer. Even with a high-speed internet connection, a local disk can transfer data at least 50 times faster than a network connection. This is evident even with the fastest internet connections available today.

However, online storage has numerous advantages. For one, it is not location-dependent. If your house burns down or if you face any other form of physical disaster, your data can still be accessed from any location. Online backup systems often use incremental backups that occur automatically, making it easier to keep your data consistent. Additionally, you can typically access your online files from anywhere in the world, provided you have an internet connection.

Data Transfer Speed Comparisons

When comparing local and online transfer speeds, it's crucial to understand the significant gap in performance. A local disk will transfer data at least 50 times faster than a network connection. This is a substantial difference that cannot be ignored. Even with a top-tier internet connection like 1GBit/s, a local backup would still be significantly faster.

To provide some context, we can make some assumptions to illustrate the difference:

Assuming a 100 MBit/s internet connection, this would be roughly 12.5 MB/s. This is a conservative estimate and reflects the upper limit. Assuming a HDD with a read speed of about 80 MB/s, this would give a ratio of around 7 times, with the local disk being 7 times faster. Considering that your current drive can read at least 1.5 times faster (assuming the drive is an SSD) and modern SSDs can read at even faster speeds, the difference becomes even more pronounced.

The ratio of 7 times, even with an older HDD, can be significantly higher with newer hardware, underscoring the benefits of a local backup.

Conclusion

While a local hard drive offers faster data transfer speeds, the advantages of online storage should not be underestimated. The convenience, accessibility, and consistency provided by online backup services are invaluable. Whether you choose a local hard drive or an online backup service, the decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences. Understanding the time and speed implications of each option is crucial in making an informed decision.