The Dilemma of Failing Backups
As I sat in my office, staring at the flickering lights of the NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. For the past few years, our company had been relying on this trusty NAS to store and manage all our important files. But today, the familiar dread of failed backups crept up my spine once more.
You see, I’m not exactly an IT maven – I was sort of “thrown into the deep end” when it came to managing the technological aspects of our marketing company. And let me tell you, those failed NAS backups were the stuff of nightmares. A few years back, we had a NAS with two failed drives, and we lost practically everything. It was traumatic, to say the least. [1]
So, when I saw those backup failures popping up again, I knew it was time for a change. After a long chat with my boss, we decided to ditch the on-premise storage and make the leap to cloud-based solutions. After all, we’re a small team, and our data just keeps growing – currently, we’re sitting at almost 3TB, with about 1TB added each year. And most of that is in the form of creative files that can get pretty hefty. [1]
Exploring the Cloud Storage Landscape
Initially, I thought SharePoint might be the way to go, given our love for all things Microsoft. But alas, the storage limitations and per-terabyte pricing left us feeling a bit underwhelmed. At $200 per extra terabyte, it just didn’t seem like a practical long-term solution for our ever-expanding data needs. [1]
I also looked into Azure storage, but my trusty Microsoft sales rep turned out to be less than helpful. I mean, come on, buddy – I’m trying to run a business here, not get a crash course in cloud computing! [1]
So, I started scouring the internet, determined to find the perfect cloud storage solution that could handle our large files without breaking the bank. And let me tell you, the options are as vast as the digital universe itself.
Discovering the Top Contenders
After extensive research, a few cloud storage providers emerged as the clear frontrunners for our large file needs. Let’s dive into the details, shall we?
Sync.com: The Secure and Limitless Choice
Topping the list is Sync.com, a cloud storage service that simply ticks all the boxes. [2] With Sync.com, there are no pesky file size limits – the only constraint is your account’s total storage capacity. And let me tell you, their versioning game is on point. Free accounts get 30 days of file versions, while paid plans offer up to 365 days of version history. [2] That’s a lifesaver when you accidentally overwrite a crucial file or need to go back in time.
The only potential downside with Sync.com is that it’s not the fastest kid on the block when it comes to large file uploads. But hey, when you’re dealing with terabytes of data, a little patience is a small price to pay for that level of security and storage freedom. [2]
pCloud: The Speedy and Versatile Option
pCloud is another cloud storage contender that really caught my eye. [3] Like Sync.com, it has no file size limits, and the upload and download speeds are impressively zippy. Plus, they offer a handy file transfer service called pCloud Transfer, which lets you send large files to anyone without them needing a pCloud account. [3]
The one quirk with pCloud is the traffic limits on shared links and public folders. But hey, if you’re just looking to store and access your own behemoth files, that shouldn’t be too much of a concern. [3]
Icedrive: The Secure and Lightning-Fast Unicorn
Icedrive is a bit of a dark horse in the cloud storage race, but don’t let that fool you. [4] This provider proudly boasts the ability to handle files up to a mind-boggling 100TB in size. And get this – they use Twofish encryption, which is even more secure than the industry-standard AES. [4]
But the real showstopper? Icedrive’s speeds. When we put it to the test, it came out on top as the fastest cloud storage service around. [4] So, if you’re in a hurry to upload those massive creative files, Icedrive might just be the cloud-based Usain Bolt you’ve been searching for.
Google Drive: The Collaborative Powerhouse
Google Drive is another cloud storage option worth considering, especially if you’re deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem. [5] The file size limit is a generous 5TB, and the integration with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) makes it a dream for collaborative projects. [5]
The only potential downside? That pesky daily upload cap of 750GB, which could be a bit limiting if you’re constantly moving large files around. [5] But hey, at least you won’t have to worry about your data privacy, right? nervous laughter
MEGA: The Privacy-Focused Alternative
Last but not least, we have MEGA – the cloud storage service that takes privacy and encryption seriously. [6] With MEGA, your data is secured with zero-knowledge encryption, meaning even they can’t access your files. [6] And the best part? This level of security comes standard, even on the free plan.
The catch? MEGA has a rather elusive transfer quota that can limit your downloads, though uploads seem to be unaffected. [6] But if you’re prioritizing privacy and security over lightning-fast access, MEGA might just be the secure fortress you’re looking for.
Choosing the Right Cloud Storage Solution
As I sifted through all these cloud storage options, I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. But then, it dawned on me – the “best” solution isn’t a one-size-fits-all. It all comes down to your specific needs and priorities.
If you value security and limitless storage above all else, Sync.com might be your cloud storage soulmate. [2] For the speed demons out there, Icedrive could be the clear winner. [4] And if collaboration is your jam, Google Drive might just be the way to go. [5]
Ultimately, the key is to really assess your company’s needs, your budget, and your tolerance for certain trade-offs. After all, the right cloud storage solution is the one that seamlessly fits into your digital workflow and helps you conquer those ever-growing data mountains.
So, fellow data hoarders, take a deep breath, do your research, and embrace the cloud storage revolution. Your future self (and your poor, ailing NAS) will thank you.
[1] Knowledge from https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/sun9uw/best_cloud_storageshare_for_large_volume_of_data/
[2] Knowledge from https://massive.io/file-transfer/best-cloud-storage-for-large-files/
[3] Knowledge from https://www.dropbox.com/features/cloud-storage
[4] Knowledge from https://www.cloudwards.net/best-cloud-storage-for-large-files/
[5] Knowledge from https://cloud.google.com/storage/docs/working-with-big-data
[6] Knowledge from https://stackoverflow.com/questions/45300037/cannot-upload-large-file-to-google-cloud-storage
