Easier Way to Backup my Network Media Server

[Maverickster]

Alright, I'm kinda new at this, but I'm looking for a better, preferably more automated, way to backup the below-referenced USB Drive to the below-referenced NAS.

Here's the scenario:

1. 1.5 TB USB Drive contains all of my documents and media (you know, the important stuff).

2. USB Drive is connected via USB to my Netgear WNDR3700 Router and operates as my media server. Various network shares have been created on the USB Drive (i.e. "Media" "Documents" "Other" etc.) and have been mapped as network drives on my Win7 computer.

3. My "Backup NAS" is an old Buffalo Linkstation that is also attached to the router only via Cat6 to one of the available ethernet ports.

I have been using Acronis TrueImage 10 to make weekly, incremental backups of the various folders from the USB drive to the "Backup NAS" by pointing Acronis to the appropriate mapped network share on the USB as the source and the Backup NAS as the destination.

This takes a good deal of time as it takes forever for Acronis to figure out what has "changed" on the USB drive so it can backup the increment appropriately. Worst of all, it requires my laptop to be on since my laptop is really facilitating all of this.

I'm hoping that there is a better, more direct, way to do this automatically. Preferably without involving my PC at all.

Any suggestions?

--Mav

 

[thiggins]

With the gear you have, basically, there isn't an easier way. The WNDR3700 has no backup function for its USB Storage function. And the Buffalo will only do automated backups from another Buffalo.

The only NASes that will do scheduled backups from network shares are NETGEAR ReadyNASes and the Iomega ix2-200.

I don't know why QNAP and Synology haven't added this feature, since they do just about everything else!

 

[Maverickster]

With the gear you have, basically, there isn't an easier way. The WNDR3700 has no backup function for its USB Storage function. And the Buffalo will only do automated backups from another Buffalo.

The only NASes that will do scheduled backups from network shares are NETGEAR ReadyNASes and the Iomega ix2-200.

I don't know why QNAP and Synology haven't added this feature, since they do just about everything else!

Will one of those two devices do a regularly scheduled backup from a network share like that (connected to the network via the USB port on the WNDR3700) *without* involving my PC? That is, can I do what I'm after here (i.e. automatic, incremental backups of that USB drive without PC involvement) by simply replacing my LinkStation with one of those solutions?

Even if that would work (and I'm interested to know if it would), would I be better off scrapping the USB Drive and the LinkStation altogether and just getting something like a Synology DS209, putting two giant HDDs in it, setting it up in a RAID 1 array, setting up a separate folder on it for my PC backups as well, and just calling it a day? Is the DS209 a good model? Is it fast? Will it work as a media server (i.e. upnp, dlna and all that)? Any better suggestions?

I'm after an NAS (or series of them) that will take care of backing itself up, will operate as my media server, and will serve the traditional network share role. Speed/performance is important. I don't want to spend more than $1K.

I am open to any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[xmiinc]

While its still a bit of a work-in-progress, check out the LG N4B1. The latest firmware update (4241) really began to smooth out the rough edges of the initial release. It does much of what you need (except UPnP...yet...but it does DLNA currently) with a convenient BD burner attached and a scheduling function for backups. Check it here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822319001
...along with the user reviews, which contain a lot of comments on what is now possible to do with this box!

They may be slow off the mark, but LG seems to be finally taking this box seriously, and the lower price makes it really competitive.

 

[thiggins]

Will one of those two devices do a regularly scheduled backup from a network share like that (connected to the network via the USB port on the WNDR3700) *without* involving my PC? That is, can I do what I'm after here (i.e. automatic, incremental backups of that USB drive without PC involvement) by simply replacing my LinkStation with one of those solutions?

Yes. The ReadyNASes have had this feature since, I think, Day 1. Iomega has added it only recently, but it appears to work fine.

Even if that would work (and I'm interested to know if it would), would I be better off scrapping the USB Drive and the LinkStation altogether and just getting something like a Synology DS209, putting two giant HDDs in it, setting it up in a RAID 1 array, setting up a separate folder on it for my PC backups as well, and just calling it a day? Is the DS209 a good model? Is it fast? Will it work as a media server (i.e. upnp, dlna and all that)? Any better suggestions?

No! RAID is not backup.
Depending on how old your Buffalo LinkStation is, it should support automatic backup to an attached drive as well as another networked Buffalo NAS. I'd just reverse the roles and make your Buffalo the primary NAS and back it up to the USB drive.

You don't need a UPnP/DLNA server unless your media player requires it (PS3's and Xbox360's do, most others don't).

 

[Maverickster]

Yes. The ReadyNASes have had this feature since, I think, Day 1. Iomega has added it only recently, but it appears to work fine.

No! RAID is not backup.
Depending on how old your Buffalo LinkStation is, it should support automatic backup to an attached drive as well as another networked Buffalo NAS. I'd just reverse the roles and make your Buffalo the primary NAS and back it up to the USB drive.

You don't need a UPnP/DLNA server unless your media player requires it (PS3's and Xbox360's do, most others don't).

I thought RAID 1 was, basically a mirrored drive? In any event your solution makes sense except that I do need UPnP/DLNA (it feeds a PS3 and 360) and my current Linkstation doesn't support that and my current Linkstation is too small.

This does bring up the solution, though, I think, that involves me dumping my Linkstation for something better. What's your recommendation for an NAS meeting the following criteria:

1. Lots of storage (1.5-2TB); swappable drives would be nice, but not necessary.

2. Supports UPnP/DLNA.

3. Automatically maintains a backup on USB Drive attached to it (as opposed to the router).

4. Blisteringly fast.

With that recommendation, I think I can solve my problem.

Thanks A LOT for all your help Tim. You're a tremendous resource!

--Matt

 

[thiggins]

I thought RAID 1 was, basically a mirrored drive? In any event your solution makes sense except that I do need UPnP/DLNA (it feeds a PS3 and 360) and my current Linkstation doesn't support that and my current Linkstation is too small.

RAID 1 is mirroring. But if the controller or power supply dies during a write, the volume could be corrupted and data lost.

What's your recommendation for an NAS meeting the following criteria:

1. Lots of storage (1.5-2TB); swappable drives would be nice, but not necessary.

2. Supports UPnP/DLNA.

3. Automatically maintains a backup on USB Drive attached to it (as opposed to the router).

4. Blisteringly fast.

There are many products that will meet your needs. The big variables are scheduled USB backup and UPnP/DLNA support for PS3 and Xbox 360. I don't test the latter, so you need to check forums and the net to see if your short list of candidates support them ok.

Blisteringly fast, just check the NAS Charts after you decide how many bays/drives you want. You can get 2 TB in single drive NASes now.

Probably the best combination of what you want, using speed as the prime selection criteria is the QNAP TS-239 Pro II. Not cheap, though at around $550 without drives.

 

[Maverickster]

RAID 1 is mirroring. But if the controller or power supply dies during a write, the volume could be corrupted and data lost.

There are many products that will meet your needs. The big variables are scheduled USB backup and UPnP/DLNA support for PS3 and Xbox 360. I don't test the latter, so you need to check forums and the net to see if your short list of candidates support them ok.

Blisteringly fast, just check the NAS Charts after you decide how many bays/drives you want. You can get 2 TB in single drive NASes now.

Probably the best combination of what you want, using speed as the prime selection criteria is the QNAP TS-239 Pro II. Not cheap, though at around $550 without drives.

Alrighty, I only really need 2 bays, so I've got it narrowed down to:

QNAP TS-259 Pro
QNAP TS-239 Pro II
Synology DS209+II

You have reviews of the last two in that list and, frankly, they appear to be six in one hand, half dozen in the other. As between them, is one materially better than the other (if I don't need hot swappability)? Also, are you planning a review of the QNAP TS-259 Pro?

It looks like it's time to go drop some coin on a "real" NAS system. Anything you might have to offer with respect to the above is welcome.

Thanks again Tim!!!

--Matt

 

[thiggins]

QNAP TS-259 Pro
QNAP TS-239 Pro II
Synology DS209+II

You have reviews of the last two in that list and, frankly, they appear to be six in one hand, half dozen in the other.

That about sums it up.

I probably won't be reviewing the TS-259 Pro. Expect performance similar to the TS-459 since it has the same hardware platform.

Here's one guy's comparison of Synology and QNAP (although he is very pro-QNAP, but not an employee). Not the same models as you're looking at. But some of the feature comparisons are valid.