[lug] (Small) Network backup recommendations

Mon May 24 13:57:59 MDT 2021

I have a 2-drive QNAP NAS device that I got off Craigslist used for $100.
It's really nice.  Exports via SMB, NFS, MAC (whatever that is), etc.
Supports rsync (can run rsyncd on the NAS), will sync to AWS S3, is
glacier-aware.  Tons of other software can be loaded onto the NAS (security
cameras, swift, owncloud, squid proxy, phone pics backup, syncthing, time
machine, plex, ...) and I've got RAID1 going with 2x 2TB drives which cost
me like $30 each, so the whole setup was under $200.  QNAP still updates
their super-old NAS machines still, so I'm continuously getting updates for
it (security patches, new services, etc.).  It runs linux under the
covers.  For my plex server that has 15TB of storage, I just periodically
sync directly to AWS Glacier for shows I want to archive.  I think that I
pay like $5/mo for S3 and glacier fees.  I think that my scheme mostly
qualifies for a 3-2-1 backup scheme.  3 copies, 2 locations, 1 offsite.

- Steve W.

On Mon, May 24, 2021 at 12:51 PM Maxwell Spangler <lists at maxwellspangler.com>
wrote:

> On Mon, 2021-05-24 at 08:24 -0600, Mike Witt wrote:
>
> Any recommendations for a small network backup device?
>
> I've got a mixture of two or three linux machines and one or two
> windows machines. If I add up all the USB sticks I'm currently backing
> them up to it only comes to about 5 TB.
>
>
> I'd recommend a Synology brand 2 or 4 drive NAS unit like
>
> * DS220+
> * DS720+
> * DS420+
> * DS620slim
>
> I've been running my own Linux based NAS units using 8 to 10 year old
> hardware for many years now.  The advantage of this is low cost and total
> control over the software but the disadvantage to this is total
> responsibility for the software,  self-support in every way and no
> user-friendly unified GUI for all services. Everything I do is command
> line, but thats ok -- for me.
>
> So about two years ago when some good friends needed a storage solution
> and I wanted hands-on experience with a commercial NAS I bought them a
> Synology DS218+.
>
> I found the hardware to be 'good', completely acceptable and probably
> typical of consumer NAS devices.  It's really an embedded computer in a
> plastic shell with an external AC adapter.  The Intel Atom CPU based model
> I got them is plenty of CPU power for reasonable NAS needs and it has USB3
> for external expansion and use of USB3 drives for offline backups.  The
> only thing I was disappointed with is that compared ot the HP MediaSmart
> server units I have, the Synology is like a light, holly plastic case and
> seems to amplify hard drive noise while the heavy, mostly metal HP units
> dampen noise.
>
> *The thing you're really after with a commercial NAS unit is the software
> and I really enjoy the Synology here.*  It has a user-friendly browser
> interfact that looks and feels like a typical Windows/Mac/Linux GUI
> desktop.  It's very easy to learn and common tasks to install software,
> configure users, perform system updates and monitor system health require
> little effort and are comfortable to perform.
>
> It's very clear to me that for just basic services the Synology is a far
> more user friendly experience.  What really impresses me is the vast amount
> of software and functionality that is available via the Synology 'app
> store' with just a point and click.  Many open source and commercial
> programs such as Plex, full web servers, containers and virtual machines
> are supported.
>
> You can ssh into these systems which for power users like me is nice
> because your familiar Linux tools like 'find' and scripting are still
> present.  This lets you use the Synology as a headless server most of the
> time, use the WebUI for regular admin chores and occasionally feel
> empowered to do more advanced things behind the scenes if you have the
> need.
>
> The combination of the command line for power users and the extensive
> amount of easily installable software make me feel like this is far more
> than an overpriced appliance and instead a well designed, polished embedded
> computer focused on storage.
>
> To replace an aging 1 drive NAS unit, I bought the 2 drive Synology unit
> then purchased two 4TB HGST drives.  I run the storage in RAID 1 so that if
> one drive fails, the data isn't lost.  Soon we'll use an external 4TB USB
> drive to make offline backups that protect against loss of both drives, the
> Synology unit, or catastrophic failure like lightning hit.
>
> Total cost was under $500 and they are absolutely underutilizing its
> capabilities.
>
> I'm happy to recommend Synology in general and defintely they are my go-to
> recommendation for anyone who is not a computer professional.  Being a
> professional, wanting total control and enjoying re-using old hardware is
> the only reason I don't use Synology device for my home.
>
> Hope this helps.. happy to answer questions.
>
> --
>
> Maxwell Spangler
> ===================================================================
> Denver, Colorado, USA
> maxwellspangler.com <http://www.maxwellspangler.com>
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-- 
Sent from Steve Webb's gmail account.
http://badcheese.com / http://twitter.com/scumola
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