flash drives versus SSDs for backup storage

[DanL]

So I'm well equipped with good SSDs for backup storage, but I've always wondered, why do I mess around with SATA SSDs when I could just back up to a USB flash drive. Flash drives are more compact, and cheaper per GB. Can someone be specific about why full grade SSDs are better for reliable backup than a flash drive? I believe driver speed is better with SSD drives than with USB flash drives, but my backups happen at night. I don't care how fast they are. The prime issue is RELIABILITY.

[melvin]

SSD/flash are NOT reliable for backup. They are the same in a way they work and they wear out from just lying around. But if you keep 3 or more, different SSDs/flash with a copy of your data, you can call it a backup.

[Arch Stanton]

Flash drives are .. cheaper per GB.

And cheaper usually means .. I mean this your answer, ignoring the fact that NAND based drives s*ck for backups, specially when they're not connected to power.

[DanL]

OK thanks.

Now, SSD drives (as in, 2.5" SATA) *are* considered fine for backups. These are, in fact, recommended by CCC and SuperDuper. That being the case, what's wrong with USB flash drives? Don't those use SSD architecture?

No, I don't judge reliability by cheapness.

[melvin]

USB flash drives are the same as SSDs. The way they work, the way they die. Your SSD is nothing more than a pendrive with another interface.

[Lardman]

Now, SSD drives (as in, 2.5" SATA) *are* considered fine for backups. These are, in fact, recommended by CCC and SuperDuper.

Who ?

That being the case, what's wrong with USB flash drives?

They're built to a minimal cost. More importantly go and measure the speed of a few and see if you fancy backing up your linux iso collection on them.

[Arch Stanton]

Your SSD is nothing more than a pendrive with another interface.

In that case send me your SSD's, tell me how many there are, and I'll return you equal amount USB flash drives

[DanL]

Now, SSD drives (as in, 2.5" SATA) *are* considered fine for backups. These are, in fact, recommended by CCC and SuperDuper.

Who ?

Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper are premier Mac backup apps. Backups are their biz. And you are ...?

So if you don't like Western Digital, Crucial,etc. SATA SSDs for backups, what you you use? Old rotary drives, with motors that break and bearings that jam? Hmmm.

Last edited by DanL on August 14th, 2023, 12:35, edited 1 time in total.

[DanL]

[/quote] They're built to a minimal cost. More importantly go and measure the speed of a few and see if you fancy backing up your linux iso collection on them.[/quote]

That's true. USB flash drives are kinda clunky. You can lose them and drop them. But if they live on a USB hub, that ain't gonna happen. As I said, THE SPEED DOESN'T MATTER TO ME. If it takes an hour to do a backup at 3am instead of ten minutes, who the hell cares?

[SWM]

From the point of view of data storage - the technology is one. And the same flaws.
From the point of view of the quality of NAND - there are different both SSD and flash drives.
From experience, out of a dozen flash drives (new and refurbished), two failed after 2-3 years of not being used.
Loss of NAND charges. After recovery both work.
If you back up to a couple of good flash drives and archives with the removal of old copies ...
Rewriting in a circle. Why not ?..

[Lardman]

Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper are premier Mac backup apps. Backups are their biz.

Says it all really.

And you are ...?

Someone who spends their time recovering data because other people's backup software didn't do the biz.

So if you don't like Western Digital, Crucial,etc. SATA SSDs for backups, what you you use? Old rotary drives, with motors that break and bearings that jam? Hmmm.

WTF has that go to do with anything ? You asked a question, it has been answered by a number of professionals, if you don't like the answer that's a shame. If you're looking for a pissing contest search elsewhere, in here you're just going to look silly.

[Arch Stanton]

They're built to a minimal cost. More importantly go and measure the speed of a few and see if you fancy backing up your linux iso collection on them.[/quote]

That's true. USB flash drives are kinda clunky. You can lose them and drop them. But if they live on a USB hub, that ain't gonna happen. As I said, THE SPEED DOESN'T MATTER TO ME. If it takes an hour to do a backup at 3am instead of ten minutes, who the hell cares?[/quote]

If you know it all so well, why ask here then?

Regardless what was said, USB flash drives are in a different category when it comes to endurance to name one. Also as long as SSD's are powered on you should not have to worry about data retention, and USB flash drives are a whole different story there. It's nonsense to say, just because they're built on same principle, that they're equal. There's a world of difference between a $2 flash drive and an enterprise grade SSD at the other extreme.

Does it make them (SSD's) suitable for backups? I'd prefer a spinning drive, but if you feel comfortable with SSD, knock yourself out. But USB flash drive is IMO something of a different level, regard them a box of matches, half of them matches doesn't work, and once you used last match, no fire.

[DanL]

If you know it all so well, why ask here then?

I just thought there might be someone here with real expertise. My apologies.

[Arch Stanton]

If you know it all so well, why ask here then?

I just thought there might be someone here with real expertise. My apologies.

Oh Dan, you're really hurting our feelings now ..

[pepe]

someone here with real expertise

in what??? writing online articles about stuff the author never really stuck his nose into? Yeah, that's something we are not experts in, definitely.

nobody who has ever done DR from a flash device would consider it a backup solution, call it SSD or UFD.
HDDs are far more reliable when it comes to storing information for a longer period of time. They are far more recoverable when they get into such state the user cannot access the data.
But anyway i agree with the guys above, if you know it all, why bugging the forum members?

pepe