Synology cloud station advice

[joydivision]

I have setup a Synology 215J for a client with two 2GB HD Red drives. There is no option to use data replicator and for backups it comes with something called the cloud station. The idea is that the documents folders etc are instantly synchronised with the Synology box. This is working well but my client asked a very good question.


"What happens if a virus deletes all my data, won't it also instantly get deleted of the NAS"

This is where version control comes in? Anybody got any idea how to use it in DSM? I have also setup the NAS so it is not on the internet to make it hard to be hacked into etc.

I am also wondering if there is a better solution? I wonder if this cloud station software will slow the PC down too much. I know I could simply map a drive and use traditional backup software, but I am worried that will be a too easy target for kryptolocker etc.

I have setup an external USB drive, which will only be connected once a week but it still isn't enough.

 

[Markverhyden]

Maybe this might work? Sounds like Time Machine in OS X.

https://www.synology.com/en-us/knowledgebase/tutorials/527

 

[Bryce W]

@markverhyden linked to what you want, I use it in my own setup. Its called Time Backup whichi similar to OSX's Time Machine and you can roll back to an earlier date. It sets up versioning hourly, daily, weekly and monthly. Im pretty sure you need to setup a different volume on your Synology and backup to that, I dont think it can backup to the same volume.

 

[joydivision]

I was doing a lot of research on it last night, and came to the same conclusion. The issue is the same volume, this box only has one USB 3.0 port, and the external volume is being used as a straight backup but I will think of something.

What do people think of the cloud station where everything is instantly backed up? That is how I currently have it setup but it is a bit risky because a Kryptolocker virus would instantly delete if off the NAS too, although I have set it to only delete files of the desktop client and not the NAS, I am not quite sure what means because the NAS would just end up collecting a load of old deleted files otherwise.

 

[bertie40]

I use time backup. I have another older NAS plugged into the USB, and it performs a regular backup.

If memory serves (I'm just getting my Lexus tyres replaced, all 4 of em, and I've just been told one of the wheel studs has been stripped, anyway, I digress), synology uses a propriatory file system (Linux based ?), so that aspect should be ok.

I "think" you can choose the file format of the external backup as well. Again, maybe a Linux file system ?

Edit : Keep an eye on Synology updates. Mostly they are fine & dandy, but one of them a couple of months ago right-royally screwed up my PCRT installation.

 

[joydivision]

Thanks Bertlie, what method do you use to actually transfer the data from the PC to the Synology NAS? Eeek for tyres on the lexus that is not going to be cheap

 

[Moltuae]

I have setup a Synology 215JI know I could simply map a drive and use traditional backup software, but I am worried that will be a too easy target for kryptolocker etc.

Is the NAS used for general file storage or backups only?

For backup-only NAS, there's no need to permanently map the drive. In fact, I'd strongly recommend not doing so, for exactly the reasons you highlighted. Personally, I would use a backup solution that is able to authenticate and establish network connections itself (such as Reflect). Alternatively, you could just use a script to ensure the network connection is only available at backup time.

 

[bertie40]

I use "Time Backup". Its one of Synology's own apps.

Doddle to install and configure. You just need to set the destination as "usbshare1", which is the external drive in my case.

Note. I just had to update the DSM (Synology OS), and then it asked to upgrade the Python version. I'm sure this sort of thing upset my PCRT.

Thinking about it, I may try reinstalling it again on my Synology, just as a backup.

EDIT : My external NAS drive (connected via USB) is EXT4 formatted.


Off topic : 4 x Bridgestone BR RE031 tyres, fitted, VAT, allignment etc. : £546

 

[Moltuae]

off topic : 4 x Bridgestone BR RE031 tyres, fitted, VAT, allignment etc. : £546

Wow, that's cheap. My tyres usually cost around £300-£400 EACH .... trade!

 

[joydivision]

My tyres cost around £45 fitted and that is for a decent brand (UniRoyal Rain Expert).

I uninstalled the crappy Cloudstation and installed Data Replicator, is a lot lot better and allows me to do exactly what I want to do - simple scheduled backups. The drive is not mapped either.

The Cloud Station really is crap because to my mind instant automatic syncing is no backup at all

 

[Moltuae]

My tyres cost around £45 fitted and that is for a decent brand (UniRoyal Rain Expert).

Jeez. What ya got, a push bike!?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Just put 4 new sneakers on my truck....she runs 275/65 R20's. Should see what those typically go for!

 

[Markverhyden]

I never skimp on tires. Driving 40k + miles per year and probably 90% is business. Typically around $700-800 total depending on the vehicle.

 

[joydivision]

My tyres are decent, got very good wet grip etc. I have a 2010 1.1 litre FIAT Panda which is just stupidly cheap to run and has that wonderful Italian thing of making you smile.

 

[Moltuae]

Just put 4 new sneakers on my truck....she runs 275/65 R20's. Should see what those typically go for!

Mine aren't far off that, just somewhat skinnier at 255/35 20".

My tyres are decent, got very good wet grip etc. I have a 2010 1.1 litre FIAT Panda which is just stupidly cheap to run and has that wonderful Italian thing of making you smile.

My car makes me smile every time I drive it, but for completely different reasons!

Its engine is approximately 4 times the size of your Panda engine, and it probably uses about 4 times as much fuel too!

Something really cheap to run would be great though; I spend a huge chunk of what I earn keeping my car on the road. I wouldn't want to drive something that small on anything more than a B road though. You must have nerves of steel!

 

[joydivision]

My car is fairly safe, it was awarded a 3 star NCAP in 2003 but it had no ABS or passenger airbag, mine is a much newer model and apparently would be a 4 star NCAP car as mine has the extra airbag and the ABS/EBD etc.

I am thinking of buying a new car, had my Panda for five years now and getting a little bored of it, but it still only has 19,000 miles on the clock so I will probably keep it another year or more. I paid £6500 for the car brand new (inc the expensive paint option) for that I get a great simple little engine, electric windows, power steering, CD player, central locking, 12v output etc. Most still be worth £2500-£3000 now.

Sorry going the off topic, I blame Bertie!

 

[Moltuae]

Sorry going the off topic, I blame Bertie!

I think we should just blame Yorkshire instead .... for everything.

Lets Canada off the hook at least.

My car is fairly safe, it was awarded a 3 star NCAP in 2003 but it had no ABS or passenger airbag, mine is a much newer model and apparently would be a 4 star NCAP car as mine has the extra airbag and the ABS/EBD etc.

Trouble with NCAP tests is they're done at like what, 40mph? ... by crashing the car into a stationary object. Now I don't know about you, but I'm usually pretty good at avoiding running into stationary objects; it's unavoidable moving objects suddenly coming towards me on my side of the road that I worry about, especially if they're bigger than me. If someone loses control and ploughs into you head-on with any significant impact speed, it becomes a matter of survival of the biggest. It's simple physics: The heavier car has the greater energy and, while it may be slowed, or even stopped, by the smaller car, the smaller car will usually get propelled backwards. Now it doesn't matter if the small car has an un-bendably strong safety cage, the G forces are the killer here. In fact, if the car is too rigid, or the crumple zones are too short, it makes matters worse by reducing the slowing distance and increasing the Gs. Small cars scare the hell out of me for that reason. I could drive one on a B road, and maybe for short distances at low speed on an A road, but I'd hate to be on a dual carriageway or motorway in one! Doesn't it bother you?

Have you thought what you might get next when you replace it?

 

[joydivision]

I generally only ever use city roads anyway, I occasionally get to 40mph but even that is rare. If I did a lot of motorway work I would want something bigger, but I tend to use the train or coach when travelling long distances.

 

[dombooth]

I wouldn't want to drive something that small on anything more than a B road though. You must have nerves of steel!

@Moltuae You wouldn't want to drive my project car then?



1988 Fiat 126
704cc 26BHP
Rear engined and Rear Wheel Drive.
4 Drum brakes

Nerves of steel? Pah!

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

My tyres are decent, got very good wet grip etc. I have a 2010 1.1 litre FIAT Panda which is just stupidly cheap to run and has that wonderful Italian thing of making you smile.

Italian cars do have soul and personality. I learned to drive at age 12 in my dads '74 Alfa Romeo 2000GTV Sprint Veloce. Boy did that engine love dancing at the redline. What music she made!