Fast question, recommended usb3 external backup for NAS

[Kembler]

I just purchased a synology 415+ and (3) WD Red Pro 2TB drives. I plan on putting them in Raid 5 which will net me close to 4TB of free space. It will be located in my basement. I'm looking to get an external usb3 hard drive that I will do weekly backups of the NAS and then store it in our safe not located in our basement.

My question is, what do you recommend as a good/reliable 5TB external that pairs well with the NAS that I just purchased?

I had a 2TB WD MyBookLive that lasted me 7 years until last week which prompted me to go upgrade to a NAS with a separate backup system.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kembler]

guess it's a harder question than I thought it would be.

 

[L&LD]

Just a thought? If your WD MyBookLive lasted so long, why use the higher capacity model today for your backup needs?

 

[htismaqe]

The only reason I wouldn't recommend the MyBook is because those types of enclosures are generally not just plug and play drive space when it comes to backing up a NAS. They're designed to be used with a PC and all that.

I'd go with a bare metal USB/SATA enclosure and an unformatted drive.

 

[Kembler]

Just a thought? If your WD MyBookLive lasted so long, why use the higher capacity model today for your backup needs?

I'm guessing my MyBookLive lasted so long cause it never moved from the day I bought it. It was used everyday, but was never touched as it was stored in the basement next to the cable modem/router.

I don't know much about how the NAS works and so I came to this forum to get educated. If another MyBookLive would work then I could get another. But looks like htismage doesn't agree. So if I stick with WD, do I get another Red Pro? or go black/green/blue etc ? Got any good recommendations on an enclosure?

All I'm going to do with it is format it when I get it, then once a week I'll attach it to the NAS, back up the NAS onto it, then remove it and store it in the safe.

 

[stevech]

I use a 2TB, 2.5" drive in a small enclosure, USB3.
Easy to keep out of sight.

It gets very few RPMs and isn't jostled when in use.
Powered from USB3 port. Fewer wires and wall warts.

Drive and enclosure are Seagate. 1K0AP6-501
Like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178438
but it was a little cheaper on sale at Target (!)
I didn't worry too much vendor since it gets few hours of use.

My backup from the Synology NAS omits in the backup folders that are other (big) backups like drive images from PCs.

 

[L&LD]

I'm guessing my MyBookLive lasted so long cause it never moved from the day I bought it. It was used everyday, but was never touched as it was stored in the basement next to the cable modem/router.

I don't know much about how the NAS works and so I came to this forum to get educated. If another MyBookLive would work then I could get another. But looks like htismage doesn't agree. So if I stick with WD, do I get another Red Pro? or go black/green/blue etc ? Got any good recommendations on an enclosure?

All I'm going to do with it is format it when I get it, then once a week I'll attach it to the NAS, back up the NAS onto it, then remove it and store it in the safe.

That is how all NAS type solutions should be used (installed and not moved), imo.

An QNAP or Synology NAS will give you much better performance, much more features and arguably better reliability too (though you had great luck with your WD it seems).

I would stick with the WD RED or WD RED Pro drives for NAS use. At least stay away from the (horrible) green drives that are not very reliable.

For external drive use, I would choose the fastest drive (black) and capacity you can afford.

Vantec makes nice enclosures that are dependable and keep the drive cool for the few hours a month it will be in use (or more, if need be).

http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/view_detail/668


The latest USB 3.1 models are highly recommended (both 2.5" and 3.5" drive capacities).

 

[htismaqe]

Vantec is good. I've always had good luck with Rosewill as well.

 

[Kembler]

Thank you all for the helpful information. I really do appreciate it.

 

[Kembler]

I didn't know they came out with 3.1 usb. Guess I'm a bit behind in computer tech.

 

[Kembler]

I went back to look at my Synology DS415+ specs and saw it's not 3.1. It has (2) 3.0 usb ports. Does that mean I'm capped at 5 gbps or does just the enclosure matter?


Also, on newegg the WB Black Drives 4TB 64 cache $190 vs 5TB 128 cache $225. Since my NAS after format will be less than 4TB and I will most likely never come close to filling it, a 4TB will do fine for me, but is it worth spending the extra $35 for the extra 64 cache?

 

[L&LD]

I went back to look at my Synology DS415+ specs and saw it's not 3.1. It has (2) 3.0 usb ports. Does that mean I'm capped at 5 gbps or does just the enclosure matter?


Also, on newegg the WB Black Drives 4TB 64 cache $190 vs 5TB 128 cache $225. Since my NAS after format will be less than 4TB and I will most likely never come close to filling it, a 4TB will do fine for me, but is it worth spending the extra $35 for the extra 64 cache?

Don't base your current purchases with what you already have (except to ensure the connection can actually occur, of course. There are different USB 3.1 plugs available that you should at least be aware of).

For a few dollars more today, that USB 3.1 compliant device you buy will be that much more usable in the future.

 

[RMerlin]

For all my customers I use a Vantec USB3 enclosure, with a WD Caviar Green of a suitable capacity (depending on the customer's NAS size).

I've had nothing but bad experiences with those pre-packaged USB disks, especially Seagate's product which either die within 1-2 year, or are randomly disconnecting from the NAS/server they are plugged to.

 

[stevech]

USB 3 .1 is too new to have proliferated.

The USB3 Seagate 2.5 inch, for me, with the Synology, has been problem free. I am no Seagate fan, but as a backup drive, it's fine.

 

[sfx2000]

Vantec enclosures are very good... I have a couple, and they've never given me a problem.

 

[Kembler]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with a Vantec enclosure with a 5TB WD Black drive.