Simple NAS for back-up and shared file area

[glaesemann]

Hi All,

I'm looking at the QNAP TS-419 for the following:
- Back-up for two desktop PC's
- Shared file storage area for these two PC's
- Back-up of shared file storage area

Will the TS-419 be a good choice for this application? Will a single drive unit need to be attached to the TS-419 for backing up the shared file storage area?

All replies are much appreciated.

Thank you!

- Tim

 

[glaesemann]

I should have said it's the TS-419P+ that I am considering and the storage requirement right away is only 1 Tb with room for future growth. Remote web access to shared file area is a plus.

Thank you!

- Tim

 

[thiggins]

All NASes will perform as networked shares that can be used for sharing files or the destination for backups. QNAPs are premium priced because they have many features beyond basic file sharing.

There are many other products you could use. Given that you can now store up to 3 TB on a single drive, a pair of single-drive NASes could work just fine for storage and backup.

 

[glaesemann]

a pair of single-drive NASes could work just fine for storage and backup.

Tim, thank you for your quick reply. As you can see I am not well versed in NAS's.

One quick question, how would the 2 single NAS set-up look?

NAS 1 serving as back-up for the 2 PC's and providing a shared file area with NAS 2 as 100% mirror of NAS 1?

Again, thank you in advance.

- Tim

 

[thiggins]

One quick question, how would the 2 single NAS set-up look?

NAS 1 serving as back-up for the 2 PC's and providing a shared file area with NAS 2 as 100% mirror of NAS 1?

Yes. That's basically it. You can also back up to an attached drive instead of the second NAS. That might save you a little money. But the two NAS set up lets you just switch over to the backup NAS when the first one fails.

Keep in mind, with both NASes in the same physical location, your data is still at risk for fire and theft. Data you really can't afford to use should be backed up offsite.

 

[glaesemann]

That is exactly what I'll do. Two TS-119P+ with a Hitachi A7K2000 2Tb drive in each. One NAS in the office and the other at home.

Thank you again for taking the time to help a rookie.

- Tim

 

[thiggins]

You're welcome. You'll need to open ports in the router firewalls. See this post.