[lug] (Small) Network backup recommendations

Mon May 24 17:18:12 MDT 2021

I really like that you added the part about backing up to S3 in a
discussion of NAS.

Just getting a NAS device is enough to store data, and having it setup
in a RAID 1 or multi-drive RAID 6 type thing is good for durability of
data but it's not a backup.

So anyone reading this thread, please consider that you should have a
real backup of some sort:

* Backup to a second NAS which itself is RAIDed for durability (i do
this)

* Backup to offline USB drives (i do this, multiple drives)

* Backup to a storage device not at your location (i do this, but not
periodically enough)

* Backup to the cloud - I don't do this yet, but probably will soon

M

On Mon, 2021-05-24 at 13:57 -0600, Steve Webb wrote:
> 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
> > _______________________________________________
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> 
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-- 
Maxwell Spangler
===================================================================
Denver, Colorado, USA
maxwellspangler.com
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