What NAS hardware to this job?

[joydivision]

I was looking at Synology but I think it is over the top for what I need.

My client simply needs a reliable NAS configured as RAID so he can backup each of his office machines.

The backups need to be just simple synchronised backups so there is no duplicate data and each backup needs to be in a separate folder according to the PC.

The total mount of data will exceed 1TB and the synchronised backup (e.g only backup any changes) at least twice a day. I will probably use 2 x 2TB WD Red or Black drives.

It also needs USB 3.0 as once a week I want the box to backup the entire contents onto an external 2GB USB drive the idea being this will kept in a separate building apart from once a week on backup day.

He doesn't want anything to be stored on the cloud. So far I've narrowed it down to Synology and Lenovo boxes but got no experience in either. I wonder if FTP will be better as well rather than drive maping in case of a Kryptolocker type virus?

 

[Martyn]

I would go with the Synology, why not? It will do a hell of a lot but just as client backups and sharing data it's good. I've put in about 8 I think from DS212Js upwards. Set up as a RAID 1, 2 x WD Blacks at whatever size you want and you're done. Configure them to backup the client pcs using the Synology Data Replicator 3 that supports versioning, share data to them from the NAS and backup to 2 usb drives out the back. I have 1 client backing up to 2 usb drives and also online to Amazon S3. Rock solid at a good price.

 

[joydivision]

Thanks Martyn, does it support synchronised backups as well, what I mean by that one initial backup then from then on only files that have been changed will be saved. Obviously third party software will support that such as Cobian or Synbackup but it will be nice if I could use purely Synology software to keep things simple.

For speed reasons I think he will still be better of working from his local C: drive (which is currently a mirrored RAID) as he is dealing with lots of large files.

 

[Martyn]

Yes download the Synology Data Replicator 3 from the website and you can see all the options available. It will run a sync or scheduled backup to the NAS with file versioning.

http://forum.synology.com/wiki/inde...orget"_backup_with_Synology_Data_Replicator_3

 

[joydivision]

Thanks Martyin . I will tell to order the 214 box, and the drives (VAT reasons) .

 

[freedomit]

I've always liked the Netgear ReadyNas range

 

[Markverhyden]

Tough to beat Synology for price/perfomance. I'm sold on them after my first one with a recent customer.

 

[SIBIT]

+1 for Synology

 

[ArtemusComputerTechnology]

There is no telling that Synology makes great NAS boxes. I have not purchased one as of yet but have experience with D-Link Nas boxes. I will remind myself on my next Nas purchase.

 

[joydivision]

Bought a 215 https://www.synology.com/en-global/products/DS215j, two 2GB WD Red drives and a Samsung 2TB drive which will be backed up once a week and stored externally.

I am also setting up another spare USB drive which will be connected to the main PC and backup only the critical files, this will be the redundancy should both RAID and USB drives fail all at once.

 

[DanF]

Did the same setup with the same NAS as joydivision is mentioning. Never had an issues. Backup never failed.

I check the backup myself every once in a while, by simply booting a Linux based OS and connecting the backup USB disk.

 

[JustInspired]

Just set up two Synology NAS units, one at client's office and one at home. They back up to each other with automated scheduling, set to keep several versions.
The new OS(Dsm) is awesome.

 

[neil]

Another +1 for Synology - more than just a NAS. I have installed several at customer sites and have one here in the office so that I can try out things before installation. Remote admin is easy with no firewall issues. Just seems well thought out and supported.

Neil

 

[kpk1]

Running a synology 214 this end, very versatile.