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Online Backup Service FAQ

Time Navigator Backup Service

Q. How does the Time Navigator™ backup service work?

A. At a scheduled time, the backup system "activates" the Time Navigator™ software agent on your computer and determines which files need backing up. It then encrypts and compresses those files (typically to 65% to 85% of the original file sizes).

After your files are compressed and encrypted, the Time Navigator™ client software sends your encrypted files offsite to our secure storage facility. Your critical data files are verified for integrity three separate times: Before sending, while being sent, and again after reaching our storage network. This verification ensures that the data sent and the data stored on our server network are an exact match.

After your backup is sent to our server and verified, your computer system returns to the idling state, once again "hiding" until the next backup time. An encrypted, compressed copy of your critical data files is now safely offsite in our secure storage facility.

If your building is compromised or your computer is stolen, replacing your equipment and restoring your files from the remote backup server can save your business.

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Q. How is our data being protected?

A. All data is fully encrypted and compressed before it is transmitted to the backup server. The data remains encrypted and compressed while it is store in the CUBE backup library. The encryption algorithm is 128bit Blowfish. If additional encryption is required by the customer, we can establish a Virtual Private Network which can encrypt using a standard algorithm such as DES or triple DES.

Our backup servers are behind a firewall that only allows backup and restore activity to occur. The CUBE data center is a high security facility with restricted access; only CUBE operators - all of whom are bonded - are allowed in this data centre.

The data centre has digital video surveillance, motion detectors and key card access only. It is fully (alarmed) environmentally controlled. The facility is monitored on a 24 x 7 basis by Chubb Security Services. The Time Navigator™ Backup servers have dual processors, mirrored hard drives and are on UPS and power generator backup.

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Q. How long will our backups be retained?

A. The standard Time Navigator™ backup service retains all incremental backups for 28 days. Full backups are created from the previous full backup and all incremental backups completed since that time. These are called "synthetic" full backups. This process significantly reduces the bandwidth requirements and thus reduces cost.

Synthetic backups are completed once every 28 days and are retained for 8 full weeks. It is important to note that retention refers to changing data. Therefore, if a file does not change, it will be retained indefinitely.

If you have different backup requirements, let us know - we can accommodate all your backup needs.

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Q. Can we restore files over the internet?

A. Yes. Time Navigator™ performs very high performance restorations and treats restoration as a priority. If a backup is being done at the time a restoration is requested, the backup will pause and then resume once the restoration is completed.

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Q. How much does this service cost?

A. It all depends on how much data you need to backup, what type of data is being backed up - files, database, E-mails, images, etc. - and how much change your data goes through during a typical month. As a benchmark, typical office files usually change 5-10% per month. There is also an installation fee.

For more information on how much the Time Navigator™ service costs and to get an estimate for your backup requirements, please contact CUBE Sales.

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Q. How will CUBE Time Navigator™ affect our Internet bandwidth usage?

A. Bandwidth usage is dependent on the amount of information change since the previous backup. The largest amount of bandwidth is used when the original full back up is completed. From that point forward, every subsequent full backup is created from the previous full backup, plus all of the incremental backups that were completed in the mean time. These are referred to as a "synthetic full backup".

After the original full backup, only the addition of new and updated information will require bandwidth. This means bandwidth usage will be greatly reduced - usually around a 90-95% reduction from the original backup.

In addition, all data is compressed before it is transmitted. A good rule of thumb is a 2-1 compression rate, although this can be as high as 10-1 depending on the type data being compressed. This also significantly decreases the amount of data that needs to be transferred.

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Q. What is the learning curve for using the Time Navigator™ Backup service?

A. The Time Navigator™ User Interface is exceptionally easy to use. Its interface is graphic, intuitive and resembles the standard Windows file explorer. With the simple, easy to use "Time Navigator" controls, you will be able to easy navigate back in time to any of your backup files. Restores are as easy as ticking a box and initiating the restore from a pull-down menu.

It takes very little time to learn and master the Time Navigator™ User Interface.

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Q. How do I get started?

A. Getting started is very simple. Complete our contact form or give us a call so that we can determine your data backup and disaster recovery needs. A CUBE technician will then E-mail you some basic installation information.

After this E-mail is received, he or she will then call you to walk you through the easy software installation and configure your Time Navigator™ software according to your needs. The first full backup of your selected data, files and applications will then be completed. You are now on your way to safe & secure data backup.

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