Appropriate use

• CrashPlan is intended to protect laptops and desktops over any Internet connection.
• CrashPlan can be used on servers, lab machines, kiosks, public access terminals, etc. but limitations and considerations might not make it the best choice. Server backup using Tivoli Storage Manager is available separately from University IT.
• The CrashPlan backup service is not a substitute for a long-term storage or data archive strategy. It is intended to provide a measure of security when files are accidentally deleted, a hardware component fails, or a computer is lost.

Performance

Most computers on campus will take advantage of Internet2 networking for enhanced performance. Home users with slow internet upload speeds will find reduced performance. For best results, especially during the initial backup, use a wired network connection and temporarily prevent your computer from falling asleep.

As a general rule, CrashPlan may not perform as expected on computers with more than 1 TB data or several million files. Actual performance depends on the amount of physical RAM, network throughput, disk speeds, CPU efficiency, and other factors. Review this support article if CrashPlan is running out of memory and crashing due to large file systems.

Additional considerations

Users who depend on cellular data networks (“tethering”) for network connectivity should configure CrashPlan to avoid using their mobile hotspot to avoid costly plan overages. See CrashPlan network configuration documentation to learn how to adjust client network settings.

Special considerations should be taken when backing up certain types of open files, like databases. See CrashPlan support documentation for more information.

Do not back up virtual machine files created on your computer using applications like VMware Fusion or Parallels. Instead, install CrashPlan inside the virtual machine itself.