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[sea3]

I have a DNS323 with a RAID1 configuration.

Is it a viable backup solution to:

1. Periodically power down the DNS323
2. Remove one drive from the DNS323 and store it in a safe
3. Replace that one drive with either a)brand new drive or b)a prior "backup" drive

Thanks

[gunrunnerjohn]

BAD IDEA!

Buy a separate USB connected drive and use your computer to backup the NAS with one of the many backup applications available for free.

Taking the RAID drive out will force the rebuild of the RAID every time you do the swap, that will result in reduced performance and also significantly more risk to the data.

[irotjaf]

Hi sea3,

I used RAID1 for a couple of months, then left it behind for a better solution.

Why using RAID1 which:
- Eats half of the HDDs capacities.
- Does not protect you from incidental deletes.
- Does not produce considerable higher speeds

I use STANDARD configuration to:
- Have all the storage available from both HDDs
- Do incremental backups of specific folders from HDD1 to HDD2 and vice versa.

This way, I protect only folders that are really important. And if something is deleted by accident you can be sure the next day will be again there after the backup copies it from the other HDD.

If one HDD is broken I can get out the other HDD and put it in a computer. Am I right gunrunnerjohn?

P.s. Still I think that personal and family memories (i.e. photo albums) should have another backup in external  HDDs (just in case... you know, photos cannot be reproduced easily...).

[gunrunnerjohn]

You can remove a drive and use an EXT2/3 driver to read it on a Windows machine in an emergency.  I've also left RAID behind on the D-Link NAS boxes, I just use EXT3 for the added file security.

My primary NAS is a Synology DS209 for the performance, it runs RAID-1 for reliability, since we use it for primary storage.  It backs up to a pair of D-Link NAS boxes in a staggered arrangement for dual redundancy of the data.

[certapro]

HI, new to the Forum. We have a home network and I have been using the DNS323 for about two years with one 500GB drive in it and love it! Now that we have a mix of PC's and Macs on the network and a lot of family photos, I wanted a way to back up the data. First I installed an AIRPORT extreme, Runs great. Next, I tried installing a WD MYBOOk to the USB port on the AIRPORT, which is formatted as FAT 32. OK, works, but when i try to back up my files on the DNS323, I get the error, CAN NOT BACK UP FILES GREATER THAN 4GIG!!!! OK, Format the MYBOOK to NTFS, only to find out the AIRPORT does not support the format.

So, I want to install a second drive into the DNS232, from 1 to 2TB, depending on cost, and back up the data. Should I simply remove the WD500 from the DNS323 and install two new TB drives and use one as a back up, or as stated before, best to use an external system for back up.

This is starting to get complicated. I simply figured that using the USB port on the AIRPORT would make life easier and the back ups would be faster than having a USB Drive hanging off PC for back ups!!

Any ideas is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Dom

[dosborne]

Unlikely anyone can answer this as it comes down to how important the data is to YOU. 2 physical devices and different locations are of course ideal, but not practical for all. A removable drive that you can backup to and then store securely somewhere is usually a simple process and provides reasonable backup functions.

[Biscotte]

Sea3

I have five DNSs and a synology 210j. 
I dont mirror anything
(but suspect the synology mirroring obsession of doing just that - although the unit reports it doesn't.  However doing a dir on it shows the same space free each of the discs - yeah right). 

I use two of the DNSs for live data - constantly in use around the house. 
The other four units are used for two sets of backups.
On top of this I remove the discs from one of the backup machines about once a month and put them in my desk at work. 
(I'm not exactly paranoid but the cost of hard discs these days it is cheap insurance). 
Needless to say the back up system updates and synchronises all the file on the discs rotating around during night time. 
(I have not done this swap out yet with the synology as it is of flimsy construction and requires a screwdriver.  Plus I dont trust it regarding mirroring and going through the interminable setting up and passwords and and and . . .   )

So far so good I hope. 
As this is a DNS site - back to the plot

The trick is getting the discs back into the backup DNS units. 
The way to do it is one at a time!
Turn off.  Take out the discs to be swapped out - mark them. 
Insert the vol1- 'lead disc' in the right hand side. (now only one in the unit)
Reboot the unit to recognise the disc.
Shut down and put the other disc vol2 in and reboot.
Take the latest back ups off to work.
Unit will be synchronised overnight sometime in the in the next couple of days

Result 
 - working set of discs; 
 - father set of backups and;
 - grandfather set of backups with;
 - a backstop backup at work. 

Works for me

Biscotte