Backblaze

Last updated

Backblaze, Inc.
Company type Public
Nasdaq:  BLZE
Industry
FoundedApril 20, 2007;17 years ago (2007-04-20)
Founders
  • Gleb Budman
  • Billy Ng
  • Nilay Patel
  • Brian Wilson
  • Casey Jones
  • Tim Nufire
  • Damon Uyeda
Headquarters San Mateo, California, U.S.
Key people
  • Gleb Budman (CEO)
  • Brian Wilson (CTO)
  • Frank P. Patchel (CFO)
  • Kevin Gavin (CMO)
Products
RevenueIncrease2.svg US$102 million (2023)
Decrease2.svgUS$−58 million (2023)
Decrease2.svgUS$−60 million (2023)
Total assets Decrease2.svgUS$132 million (2023)
Total equity Decrease2.svgUS$44.9 million (2023)
Number of employees
381 (December 2023)
Website backblaze.com
Footnotes /references
[1]

Backblaze, Inc. is an American cloud storage and data backup company based in San Mateo, California. Founded in 2007 by Gleb Budman, [2] Billy Ng, Nilay Patel, Brian Wilson, Tim Nufire, Damon Uyeda, and Casey Jones, [3] its two main products are their B2 Cloud Storage and Computer Backup services, targeted at both business and personal markets.

Contents

History

Backblaze was established in 2007 in San Mateo, California. [4] In 2008, the company released online backup services to support PCs running Apple's macOS and Microsoft Windows. [4]

In October 2021, Backblaze filed to go public on the Nasdaq under the symbol BLZE. [4] In November, the company launched its public IPO. [5]

Backblaze and Catalogic, a data protection vendor, announced their partnership in March 2022. [6]

Since 2013, Backblaze has reported quarterly reliability statistics for its data center hard drives, showing annual failure rates for each model. [7] [8]

Products

Cloud backup

Backblaze's first product was its computer backup, offering users to back up their computer data continuously and automatically with a monthly subscription service. The service makes use of AES encryption for security, and uses data compression and bandwidth optimization to reduce upload and download times. Files that need to be restored can be delivered in the form of a digital download [9] or on an external hard drive. [10] File versioning and history is available with a 30-day cap or an additional cost per month.

Cloud Backup Pricing History

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage

In September 2015, Backblaze launched a new product, B2 Cloud Storage. Being an infrastructure as a service (IaaS), it is targeted at software integration for different kinds of businesses. [15] It directly competes with similar services, such as Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. [16] In April 2018, Backblaze announced cloud computing partnerships [17] that directly connect Backblaze's data centers with its partners, Packet and ServerCentral.

In May 2020, Backblaze released an Amazon S3-compatible API, allowing customers to use existing tools and applications with B2 Cloud Storage without rewriting them. [18] In May 2022, Backblaze released its cloud replication services, which allow customers to back up and store data in a location that is geographically separate from the data's primary location. [19] [20]

Technology

Data centers

Backblaze has five data centers; four in the United States and one in Europe. Two U.S. data centers are in Northern California near Sacramento, one is in Phoenix, Arizona, and in December 2022, Backblaze took residence in the CoreSite data center in Reston, Virginia. [21] Backblaze's data center in the European Union is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. [22] In September 2022, Backblaze contracted 1MW of capacity at Nautilus's floating data center in Stockton, California. [23]

Redundancy

In order to increase redundancy, data uploaded onto Backblaze's data center is sharded into 17 data pieces and three parity shards for each file. Parity shard bits are computed by the Reed–Solomon error correction algorithm. The shards are stored in 20 different drives, each in a separate cabinet to increase resilience to a power loss to an entire cabinet, or other physically based issue. Backblaze states that its 'Vault' architecture is designed with 99.999999999% annual durability. [24]

Encryption

For computer backup and the security of their users backups, Backblaze uses a combination of AES and SSL encryption to protect user data. Data is stored in Backblaze storage using Reed-Solomon erasure coding [25] and encrypted with the user's private key, which is secured with the user's password and username. The default encryption of private keys is done server side, which is unlikely to protect against government subpoena or a serious data breach.[ citation needed ] Users desiring additional security and privacy can use the optional private encryption key (PEK), [26] but the PEK passphrase is sent to the server when it is initially set, and must be sent again to restore any data. [27]

Encryption for their B2 storage is handled entirely by the user and client software to manage the stored data, making it immune to government subpoena or data breach and protecting the data during transfer and ultimate storage in Backblaze's data centers.

Storage Pod open design

A server case using the open design of the Storage Pod StoragePod.jpg
A server case using the open design of the Storage Pod

In 2009 and 2011, the company released CAD drawings of the computer case used by the storage servers in its datacenters. With commercial off-the-shelf components such as x64 processors, disks, and motherboards, high-density storage servers can be built at a lower cost than commercial ones. [28] The company has since made six iterations of the design over the years.

Related Research Articles

NetApp, Inc. is an intelligent data infrastructure company that provides unified data storage, integrated data services, and cloud operations (CloudOps) solutions to enterprise customers. The company is based in San Jose, California. It has ranked in the Fortune 500 from 2012 to 2021. Founded in 1992 with an initial public offering in 1995, NetApp offers cloud data services for management of applications and data both online and physically.

Filesystem in Userspace (FUSE) is a software interface for Unix and Unix-like computer operating systems that lets non-privileged users create their own file systems without editing kernel code. This is achieved by running file system code in user space while the FUSE module provides only a bridge to the actual kernel interfaces.

A file-hosting service, also known as cloud-storage service, online file-storage provider, or cyberlocker, is an internet hosting service specifically designed to host user files. These services allow users to upload files that can be accessed over the internet after providing a username and password or other authentication. Typically, file hosting services allow HTTP access, and in some cases, FTP access. Other related services include content-displaying hosting services, virtual storage, and remote backup solutions.

A remote, online, or managed backup service, sometimes marketed as cloud backup or backup-as-a-service, is a service that provides users with a system for the backup, storage, and recovery of computer files. Online backup providers are companies that provide this type of service to end users. Such backup services are considered a form of cloud computing.

Veritas Backup Exec is a data protection software product designed for customers with mixed physical and virtual environments, and who are moving to public cloud services. Supported platforms include VMware and Hyper-V virtualization, Windows and Linux operating systems, Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Storage, among others. All management and configuration operations are performed with a single user interface. Backup Exec also provides integrated deduplication, replication, and disaster recovery capabilities and helps to manage multiple backup servers or multi-drive tape loaders.

Amazon S3 or Amazon Simple Storage Service is a service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that provides object storage through a web service interface. Amazon S3 uses the same scalable storage infrastructure that Amazon.com uses to run its e-commerce network. Amazon S3 can store any type of object, which allows uses like storage for Internet applications, backups, disaster recovery, data archives, data lakes for analytics, and hybrid cloud storage. AWS launched Amazon S3 in the United States on March 14, 2006, then in Europe in November 2007.

Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which data, said to be on "the cloud", is stored remotely in logical pools and is accessible to users over a network, typically the Internet. The physical storage spans multiple servers, and the physical environment is typically owned and managed by a cloud computing provider. These cloud storage providers are responsible for keeping the data available and accessible, and the physical environment secured, protected, and running. People and organizations buy or lease storage capacity from the providers to store user, organization, or application data.

Mozy was an online backup service for both Windows and macOS users. Linux's support was made available in Q3, 2014. In 2007 Mozy was acquired by EMC, and in 2013 Mozy was included in the EMC Backup Recovery Systems division's product list. On September 7, 2016, Dell Inc. acquired EMC Corporation to form Dell Technologies, restructuring the original Dell Inc. as a subsidiary of Dell Technologies. On March 19, 2018, Carbonite acquired Mozy from Dell for $148.5 million in cash and in 2019 shut down the service, incorporating Mozy's clients into its own online backup service programs.

This is a comparison of online backup services.

This is a comparison of file hosting services that are currently active. File hosting services are a particular kind of online file storage; however, various products that are designed for online file storage may not have features or characteristics that others designed for sharing files have.

Transparent Data Encryption is a technology employed by Microsoft, IBM and Oracle to encrypt database files. TDE offers encryption at file level. TDE solves the problem of protecting data at rest, encrypting databases both on the hard drive and consequently on backup media. It does not protect data in transit nor data in use. Enterprises typically employ TDE to solve compliance issues such as PCI DSS which require the protection of data at rest.

Jungle Disk is both the name of an online backup software service and a privately held data security company. It was one of the first backup services to use cloud storage and Amazon S3. In 2009 after being acquired by Rackspace the service added Rackspace Cloud Files. The name is a word association as the Amazon rainforest is a Jungle and Disk is a common shorthand for a hard disk drive.

Syncovery is backup and file synchronization software that allows backing up and synchronizing files to the same or different drives, to different media, or to a remote server.

iCloud Cloud storage and cloud computing service by Apple

iCloud is a cloud service developed by Apple Inc. Launched on October 12, 2011, iCloud enables users to store and sync data across devices, including Apple Mail, Apple Calendar, Apple Photos, Apple Notes, contacts, settings, backups, and files, to collaborate with other users, and track assets through Find My. It is built into iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and visionOS. iCloud may additionally be accessed through a limited web interface and Windows application.

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. Launched on April 24, 2012, Google Drive allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files. In addition to a web interface, Google Drive offers apps with offline capabilities for Windows and macOS computers, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Google Drive encompasses Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which are a part of the Google Docs Editors office suite that permits collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more. Files created and edited through the Google Docs suite are saved in Google Drive.

Amazon S3 Glacier is an online file storage web service that provides storage for data archiving and backup.

Tresorit is a cloud storage platform that offers functions for administration, storage, synchronization, and transfer of data using end-to-end encryption. More than 13,000 companies use Tresorit to protect confidential data and share information securely. It is also used widely by Government organizations and NGOs as well as privacy-conscious individuals to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and data-breaches. As of today, the encryption of Tresorit has never been hacked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IDrive Inc.</span>

IDrive Inc. is a technology company that specializes in data backup applications. Its flagship product is IDrive, an online backup service available to Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MSP360</span> Application service provider

MSP360, formerly CloudBerry Lab, is a software and application service provider company that develops online backup, remote desktop and file management products integrated with more than 20 cloud storage providers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rclone</span> Cloud storage management software

Rclone is an open source, multi threaded, command line computer program to manage or migrate content on cloud and other high latency storage. Its capabilities include sync, transfer, crypt, cache, union, compress and mount. The rclone website lists supported backends including S3 and Google Drive.

References

  1. ↑ "Backblaze, Inc. 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 1 April 2023. pp. 6, 55–56.
  2. ↑ Mellor, Chris (13 December 2022). "Back up a minute: Backblaze on SMR, storage tiers, and Web3". Blocks and Files. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Backblaze Team". Backblaze.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Novet, Jordan (18 October 2021). "Amazon cloud storage challenger Backblaze files to go public". CNBC. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Backblaze Stock Could Be The Next Cloudflare In The Making (NASDAQ:BLZE)". seekingalpha.com. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Fay, Joe (14 March 2022). "Catalogic partners with Backblaze to tackle ransomware and tape maintenance". Blocks and Files. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  7. ↑ "Backblaze HD reliability stats show oldies can be goodies". The Register. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "Backup Company Reveals Hard Drive Failure Rates For 2022". Tom's Hardware. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Backblaze: Online Backup With Time Machine's Finesse". TechCrunch. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Larger Longer Faster Better". BackBlaze. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  11. ↑ Pash, Adam (4 December 2008). "Backblaze Offers Hassle-Free Unlimited Online Backup". Lifehacker. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Budman, Gleb (12 February 2019). "Subscription Updates for Computer Backup". Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage & Cloud Backup. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Budman, Gleb (13 July 2021). "Subscription Changes for Computer Backup". Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage & Cloud Backup. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  14. ↑ Budman, Gleb (23 August 2023). "Backblaze Product and Pricing Updates". Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage & Cloud Backup. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Lardinois, Frederic (28 June 2016). "Backblaze launches its low-cost cloud storage service out of beta". TechCrunch. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "B2 Cloud Storage Pricing". 2 January 2018.
  17. ↑ "Backblaze Announces B2 Compute Partnerships". Backblaze.com. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Lardinois, Frederic (4 May 2020). "Backblaze challenges AWS by making its cloud storage S3 compatible". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  19. ↑ Sawers, Paul (7 June 2022). "Backblaze launches 'cloud replication' to help companies store and sync data across regions". VentureBeat. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  20. ↑ "Backblaze B2 offers cross-continent Cloud Replication service". TechTarget . Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  21. ↑ "Backblaze Opens New US East Data Region". globenewswire.com (Press release). 13 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Backblaze opens data center in Amsterdam, retains same pricing as US". TechRepublic.com. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  23. ↑ Butler, Georgia (9 September 2022). "Backblaze contracts 1MW of capacity at Nautilus's floating data center in Stockton, California". www.datacenterdynamics.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Backblaze Durability is 99.999999999% — And Why It Doesn't Matter". Backblaze.com. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  25. ↑ "Reed Solomon Erasure Coding Web Page for downloading files". www.backblaze.com. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Online Backup Security & Encryption". Backblaze. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  27. ↑ "Security Question Round-up!". Backblaze. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  28. ↑ "Petabytes on a Budget v2.0:Revealing More Secrets". Blog.backblaze.com. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.