Restoring NAS Data from NAS Local Backup in Windows 7

[stefanovic]

Hi,

I am in a stage of planning NAS system for my home network. I am considering following configuration:

* NAS storage box with 2 x 2GB drives in Raid 0 or JBOD configuration (I need 4GB capacity with NAS functionality)
* VANTEC NST-400MX with 2 x 2GB drives in Raid 0 or JBOD configuration, connected to NAS through USB or eSATA for local backups of NAS

This configuration should save my data from HD failures. However, in case of NAS failure, I want to have the ability to restored my local backup data (on VANTEC) independently from NAS box and directly from Windows 7 to different location on my network. Physically, VANTEC can be connected to my Windows 7 PC using USB or eSATA. Beyond that, I would assume that I would either require a utility that could read and restore local backup data, or local backup can be written in windows file format and instantly readable from windows.

I would appreciate if someone could advise which NAS storage box can provide this function. Also, I would appreciate the advice on which HD configuration (Raid 0 or JBOD) should be best suited for the considered two units.

Regards

 

[thiggins]

If you need 4 GB capacity using two 2 GB drives, then use JBOD, or just separate volumes if your NAS supports it.

Most NASes can support FAT and NTFS formatted external drives. But using NTFS has a severe throughput penalty. Your best bet is to format the drive EXT3 (if your NAS supports it), then use an EXT3 driver on the Windows system to mount the drive.

 

[stefanovic]

Thanks you very much for the quick reply.

Achieving proper data security and redundancy in my mind also has to include not putting all of your faith in a specific storage manufacturer, which seems to me to be exactly what they are offering with their NAS backup applications.

My objective is to be NAS hardware independent when restoring NAS backups. Lets say your NAS box breaks and you want to by a different one, or just restore your data to Windows.

From what you are saying it appears to me that you assume that local backup data should be directly readable from windows. However, as far as I know, backups are typically custom format databases, and if this is the case, accessing disks from Windows may not be enough, and your only option would be the NAS box backup application to restore data back to the same NAS box.

This however would not have to be the case if NAS box would come with separate (Windows) utility that could restore the local backups independent of their NAS hardware. Does anyone do this, or do they at least provide a clearly documented method to do such a restore some other way?

So, based on what I so far learned, it appears to me that if NAS box crashes but 2 NAS HDs survived, and they are EXT3 JBODs or two separate volumes, I should be able to attach them to Windows PC and retrieve all data with the EXT3 driver. Is this correct, and should I be aware of any small print related to this?

Now, if NAS box crashes and NAS HDs are also lost, and I am left only with the NAS local backup on VANTEC box... What are my options then, and how should I configure and format 2 x 2GB drives in VANTEC box.

Regards

 

[thiggins]

However, as far as I know, backups are typically custom format databases

This is true for many backup applications. But most (if not all) backup features in NASes just copy files and folders, with no special format.

So, based on what I so far learned, it appears to me that if NAS box crashes but 2 NAS HDs survived, and they are EXT3 JBODs or two separate volumes, I should be able to attach them to Windows PC and retrieve all data with the EXT3 driver. Is this correct, and should I be aware of any small print related to this?

Basically correct. But unless really necessary, I wouldn't fool with the drives from a crashed NAS. They could be partially corrupt and you wouldn't know it unless you checked each file and folder.

Now, if NAS box crashes and NAS HDs are also lost, and I am left only with the NAS local backup on VANTEC box... What are my options then, and how should I configure and format 2 x 2GB drives in VANTEC box.

You can format them FAT, NTFS or EXT3, assuming your NAS supports EXT3...some use XFS, ZFS, HFS, and that you have an EXT3 driver running on the Windows machine.

 

[stefanovic]

This is true for many backup applications. But most (if not all) backup features in NASes just copy files and folders, with no special format.

Is this the case for Synology DS210j and DS209, which I am currently considering? If not, which other ones do this?

You can format them FAT, NTFS or EXT3, assuming your NAS supports EXT3...some use XFS, ZFS, HFS, and that you have an EXT3 driver running on the Windows machine.

How would you configure 2 VANTEC box HDs?

Also, Synology DS210j is a fairly new product, however I have seen some posts questioning this unit's speed. Do you have any info on this NAS box, and would you recommended it over DS2009? Any good recommendation for alternative 4GB file and media server NAS box in the same price range?

Regards