NAS / backup / storage questions and solutions

technics100

technics100

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Right, I will give a run down of my current setup and take advise on how to change / upgrade it.

2 pc's - mine & my wifes
1 Buffalo NAS drive 300gb (7 years old) and currently full - wifes work files, music etc
1 500g buffalo external drive - plugged into NAS drive - meant to backup each night at 12am..
1 x 2TB usb drive in mine that houses all lightroom files

My pc runs lightroom, AutoCAD etc. my files are kept on usb external HDD plugged into the back

My wife saves all of her work info onto the NAS drive, which is great as her laptop quit (dell with GPU failure) last week and I quickly got her accounts running on my machine by installing Sage on my machine..

I want to rationalise the house. so ideally a new nas with daily backup - can I store all my raw files on it or would it be too slow over wifi copying and opening them? not wanting to spend a clean fortune on stuff. but will take comments.. Again if the buffalo was larger capacity and the backup worked, it would be fine.. but it's just getting old.. Is it an option to replace the HDD in the buffalo to say a 2TB one?
 
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personally i would look for at least 2-bay NAS something like this if you like Buffalo: http://www.ebuyer.com/507689-buffalo-linkstation-420-6tb-2-x-3tb-2-bay-nas-ls420d0602-eu

2x 3TB drives in (and would configure in RAID1) so you would have total 3TB space (fully backed up) and you won't need to use usb HDD's to back it up. But maybe it's handy to have usb HDD too in some cases :)

or get QNAP/Synology diskless NAS and buy some 3TB WD RED's
 
Something with wired networking if you can, makes the transfer speeds faster :).
 
Wired may be an option but means getting a cable under the living room floor.. Then I assume there would be no issue saving all my photos onto a server type device?
 
asaspasas6 said:
personally i would look for at least 2-bay NAS something like this if you like Buffalo: http://www.ebuyer.com/507689-buffalo-linkstation-420-6tb-2-x-3tb-2-bay-nas-ls420d0602-eu

2x 3TB drives in (and would configure in RAID1) so you would have total 3TB space (fully backed up) and you won't need to use usb HDD's to back it up. But maybe it's handy to have usb HDD too in some cases :)

or get QNAP/Synology diskless NAS and buy some 3TB WD RED's
Click to expand...

Cheers, I like the idea of USB as I would give it to a family member if we are away on hols.. In case the house burnt down!!
 
asaspasas6 said:
2x 3TB drives in (and would configure in RAID1) so you would have total 3TB space (fully backed up) and you won't need to use usb HDD's to back it up.
Click to expand...

RAID IS NOT A BACKUP. (sorry for caps but its important that people get this)

technics100 said:
Cheers, I like the idea of USB as I would give it to a family member if we are away on hols.. In case the house burnt down!!
Click to expand...

:clap: indeed. plus RAID does not help if you delete a file or it corrupts. or like you say the house burns down.

going back to the speed aspect, personally I found using Lightroom with the RAW files accessed over wifi was horrid. If you want to do this I'd recommend wiring in the network, you could use powerline adapters if the two are in separate rooms.
 
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My method, although not perfect is to house the files on a local drive, then use a program called FreeFileSync to backup to a second drive on my PC and also to an external USB drive and also to a NAS across a wired network - a bit of a faf but good vs file corruption assuming it doesn't happen quickly and also useless against house fire.

I do also upload to Flickr so theres a bit of free off site for some images.
 
neil_g said:
RAID IS NOT A BACKUP. (sorry for caps but its important that people get this)



:clap: indeed. plus RAID does not help if you delete a file or it corrupts. or like you say the house burns down.

going back to the speed aspect, personally I found using Lightroom with the RAW files accessed over wifi was horrid. If you want to do this I'd recommend wiring in the network, you could use powerline adapters if the two are in separate rooms.
Click to expand...

So best thing would be 2 drive raid server thing, with USB backup and wired to my PC for lightroom? best get saving!!
 
My setup is a Linux server (HP microserver functioning as a glorified NAS for photography purposes, but does host other services), which hosts my original RAW files and then Lightroom on laptop using standard size previews or smart previews to alleviate any wifi lag.

The server is RAID 1 for HDD fault tolerance and I then have a (roughly) weekly backup of my server to USB, which is offsite other than the night I backup on (store it in my desk drawer at work). The USB backup is triggered automatically whenever the specific disk is plugged into a specific USB port and mails me when the backup is complete (and the disk can be removed) and so there's no faff in remembering to plug it in before any scheduled time.
Additionally, I backup my images daily to Amazon Cloud Drive just because it's free with Prime and photos are my most changing data and so I can be a little more lax on the USB backups.

It's taken some effort and learning to get there and there are definitely many other options but it works for me with minimal cost and ongoing maintenance whilst giving me a comfortable level of data accessibility and backup/resilience.
 
I used to be in IT and witnessed (indeed, was party to) some truly appalling data disasters. :( In consequence I am a firm believer in belt, braces and a piece of string for holding up my data trousers.

We have a couple of old Macs, hosting three drives and it's all set up like this...

17150043115_a6a0032b96_b.jpg

Stuff in the computer's data drive is manually copied onto Primary and the rest is automatic.

Hope this helps.
 
If you are a Windows user Robocopy is a good free tool for creating backup copies. There is a GUI for the faint-hearted. I have also used SecondCopy but you have to pay for that.

You can set Windows Task Scheduler to run Robocopy or similar at specific times of the day too.
 
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Could this also be done with a Rasberry Pi and 2 USB HDD's? as I already have a 2TB one and could get another.
 
technics100 said:
Just read that Pi's aren't very good for NAS, so would this be any better? with 2HDD's plugged in? then a software based backup running every night?

http://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-firewire-c4/4-port-usb-2-0-over-gigabit-ip-server-p8641
Click to expand...
HP Microserver is around £160 then you can get £55 cashback from HP, so for £105 you get a 4 bay enclosure with gigabit LAN, 6 USB ports, 4gb memory & it will boot from an internal USB memory stick & run one of a number of 'free' LINUX based NAS solutions.

I have been running one of these for years with Windows Home Server 2011, it handles the backups for 5 PCs & laptops in my house. Unfortunately WHS 2011 is no longer available to buy.
 
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technics100 said:
Just read that Pi's aren't very good for NAS, so would this be any better? with 2HDD's plugged in? then a software based backup running every night?

http://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-firewire-c4/4-port-usb-2-0-over-gigabit-ip-server-p8641
Click to expand...
Slower than a very slow thing that's already died. It's only USB2 so forget it. Do this job properly and stop even considering USB as the way to connect the main network drives.

The HP Microserver is a good solution if any of the people suggesting them can provide a link to the version that's eligible for the cashback and in stock. You can then run something like FreeNAS or NAS4free and have a fully featured NAS for just a little effort.

As suggested, Robocopy is a very useful tool for moving data between disks/PCs/whatever. I have a load of batch files that run nightly/weekly/monthly in conjunction with Acronis True Image to make sure my data is safe.
 
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Excellent, thank you. I think I'll treat myself to one.
 
Am I going to notice any performance issues between this with my 2tb HDD plugged in for backup nightly

http://m.ebuyer.com/620412

And this

http://m.ebuyer.com/630706

I know one has two drives running in raid and one has one drive with a daily backup. But what's the chances of both drives failing at once?

I just want to try and keep costs down at the minute..
 
I am not familiar with current generation Buffalo devices, if I were in the market for a NAS today I would choose either QNAP or Synology.
 
QNAP, Synology or Asustor. The Asustor AS-5002 is a good price at Scan at the moment and has a decent amount of CPU power. The AS-202TE is even cheaper if a little slower.
Alternatively, put a request in the Wanted section of the Classifieds and see what pops up (hint).
 
On a practical level. is there a way of using the HP microserver without a wired connection to the router? (in my case a Home Hub 5)
 
Alastair said:
On a practical level. is there a way of using the HP microserver without a wired connection to the router? (in my case a Home Hub 5)
Click to expand...
Wireless network adapter in the Microserver, either low profile internal or a USB external one?
 
neil_g said:
Ebuyer links are dead?
Click to expand...
Sorry, did that on my phone.. this, which is basically a newer version of what I have been running for 7 years. then plug my existing USB 2TB HDD into for backup, run cat 5 from my router to desktop and put lightroom cat & files onto it..

http://www.ebuyer.com/620412-buffalo-linkstation-210-3tb-1-x-3tb-1-bay-nas-drive-ls210d0301-eu

or this - run this as RAID and again Cat 5 to desktop with everything on it..

http://www.ebuyer.com/507688-buffalo-linkstation-420-4tb-2-bay-2-x-2tb-nas-drive-ls420d0402-eu
 
Alastair said:
On a practical level. is there a way of using the HP microserver without a wired connection to the router? (in my case a Home Hub 5)
Click to expand...
Home plugs :thumbs:
 
Big thumbs up for Synology here as well. I have a ds213j (old hat now) myself. I just save all my photos directly to it, and use it as my working drive over the wireless - I have it hard wired in to the network though with my laptop working via wifi. It's also possible to set the synology up as wifi another access point itself by plugging in a wifi dongle to the USB. Mine also functions as a media server (it even works if accessed remotely such as over 3G), cloud server (like Dropbox)' bit torrent server, and apple time machine server for 2 macs. Multiple ways of configuring the disks (including raid) and also has the option of backing up to USB hard drive as well.

Whatever you do, don't get a WD MyCloud. Horribly underpowered and prone to overheating. The hard disk from mine is in the synology now lol.
 
technics100 said:
Sorry, did that on my phone.. this, which is basically a newer version of what I have been running for 7 years. then plug my existing USB 2TB HDD into for backup, run cat 5 from my router to desktop and put lightroom cat & files onto it..

http://www.ebuyer.com/620412-buffalo-linkstation-210-3tb-1-x-3tb-1-bay-nas-drive-ls210d0301-eu

or this - run this as RAID and again Cat 5 to desktop with everything on it..

http://www.ebuyer.com/507688-buffalo-linkstation-420-4tb-2-bay-2-x-2tb-nas-drive-ls420d0402-eu
Click to expand...

i see they both have USB on the rear, presumably you can back them up direct to an external drive?
 
Best is relative but it's certainly a good choice. It has USB3 ports on the back so backups should certainly be possible. I'm getting one, hopefully tomorrow, from broc's link and will probably put NAS4free on it but I may change my mind and use my spare copy of WHS2011...

HDDs are up to you but I'm going to try my HGST drives. If they don't run cool enough then I'll use some spare WD Reds.

You'll also need an extra 4GB of the right sort of RAM anyway plus an 8GB USB drive if you want to go the non-Windows route.
 
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technics100 said:
So this is best option?

http://www.ebuyer.com/722189-hpe-proliant-gen8-g1610t-4gb-ram-microserver-819185-421

What about HDD's? also would this also allow for USB backup and remote access via phone, laptop etc?
Click to expand...

I think best is subjective, IMO it's certainly the most flexible option whilst also being cost effective and will allow you to do whatever but it requires some investment of time and learning to set it up, From deciding what other HW to include (such as HDDs) and OS to run to then choosing what services to run (e.g. backups, remote access etc) and how they're administered. These may be simple choices such as just installing FreeNAS or similar (and using that ecosystem) or it could be Windows or Linux where the choice or scope becomes much greater. It has the potential to be a fully-fledged server and it suits my needs perfectly but it took some time to set up (though my setup is probably fairly unique and hence there's not so much community support around).

Without the knowledge or the time/inclination to learn then I would think that a standard NAS box that also allows for USB backup may be more suitable but I've certainly enjoyed the journey and getting a home server exactly how I want.
 
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