After a bad experience with a hard drive crash combined with not-so-timely backups, I have decided to get up to speed on backups using technology reasonably available to a SOHO network. 

I have a wireless network, and CAT5 is not in the cards.  What I have in mind as my goal is wirelessly backing up to a NAS device. 

I've read the forums, and done some testing of the trial version of Shadowprotect.  After working through the identification issues and more, I get the network to complete about half of a 6G backup, and Shadowprotect quits due to hardware not working or connection not being made.  I have done a successful test full backup over ethernet, but the wireless just can't seem to make it.

I am considering upgrading my (somewhat ancient) network to the latest to make this work, but before I shell out any money, I just thought I'd ask if ANYONE has successfully backed up using a wireless setup.  

Any comment?  I'll just not go down this path if it is not reasonably achieveable.

It's possible, but very slow.

Usually 20-25 MB/s, as opposed to much faster wired.

I have a laptop that I use wirelessly, but when it comes to backing it up, I always connect it to the network since it runs much faster that way.

Merlin AZ,

 Are you sure of those figures?  100 Mbps wired transfers at around 10 MB/sec.

 Those are the figures I remember from glancing at the screen the last time I tried to image a laptop wirelessly to a shared folder on my desktop computer.

I have an "N" router using gigabit ethernet.

 Thanks for the input!  If I could achieve these kind of numbers, in your experience, can it image a drive quickly and reliably enough to finish?  (My setup is CONSIDERABLY slower, no wonder it never made it to the end).

Anyone else have a successful wireless experience?  I'd appreciate any/all commnents.

 Would I recommend imaging wirelessly?

The answer is no.

It takes hours to do what you can do connected in 20 minutes.

I only image my laptops wired now, connected directly to the network or external USB drive.

Rogue Trader,

I image quite frequently with wireless, but not with SP. I'm not in a hurry and the images are only a few GB.

I'd dispute Merlin_AZ figures.  Gigabit NIC transfer speed is around 20 to 25 MB/sec. Wireless G transfer speed is 1 to 2 MB/sec over a two way wireless transfer. I haven't measured Wireless N transfer speed but I assume it's double the G transfer speed.

 Try it and report back.

If I misread a B versus b, then I apologize, but that's not what I remember.  When I get a chance, I'll set it up and recheck it.

Brian K:

...Wireless G transfer speed is 1 to 2 MB/sec over a two way wireless transfer. I haven't measured Wireless N transfer speed but I assume it's double the G transfer speed....

 I'm getting similar real world wireless LAN speeds as Brian.

1-2 MB/sec over G and 4-6 MB/sec over N.

 I have a Wireless G setup I can test on, I'll try that and let you know how it goes.  I will say that in looking at product availability, G is on the way out (esp. if you listen to the hardware sellers), and even if it works, might not be the best investment.  I'll try the next stop (G) and see if it can support the required transfer.

 My next wireless equipment will be N but I'm waiting for the standard to be finalized. I'm not in a hurry. I rushed into buying Linksys SpeedBooster a few years ago which was supposed to be twice as fast as G, but it was actually slower than G.

It was 20-50 Mbps.

Sorry.

Still, dirt slow compared to connected.

Merlin_AZ:

slow compared to connected.

Merlin_AZ,

I certainly agree. Like Rogue Trader, my house isn't suitable for a wired network. I could run a temporary cable to the kids' rooms to do a backup if I wanted speed but wireless does do the job. I can initiate their backup image  from my computer (the image is sent to my computer but it can be written to their computer instead) so I don't even have to walk down the stairs to see their messy rooms.

Brian K:

 

Merlin_AZ:

Merlin_AZ,

I certainly agree. Like Rogue Trader, my house isn't suitable for a wired network. I could run a temporary cable to the kids' rooms to do a backup if I wanted speed but wireless does do the job. I can initiate their backup image  from my computer (the image is sent to my computer but it can be written to their computer instead) so I don't even have to walk down the stairs to see their messy rooms.

Now here is the man I wanted to talk to!  Someone using wireless successfully.  A few questions:  You didn't say, but I assume you are using Shadowprotect?  If so, what wireless adapters (G, N) are you using?  Finally, what speed in MB is Shadowprotect (assuming that's it) quoting during the backup process?  

I think we can all agree that wireless isn't optimal for backups, especially if time is of the essence (like you are doing this at work).  I'm not going to be tearing up the house to install a wired LAN.  But if I can get wireless to run reliably in a home application, I'll just do it at night.  What's more important is to get those regular backups without having it be a hurdle each time.