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[random404]

I currently have 2 drives in the DNS 323 (I do not use RAID), and only use the first drive (HD_a2) when modifying/accessing things. Periodically, I will back up HD_a2 to the 2nd drive (HD_b2) by using rsync. So HD_b2 operates solely as a backup of HD_a2.

What I'd like to do is backup HD_a2 to a 3rd and maybe even 4th drive periodically using rsyncl. I tried using the USB slot, and it worked for a while but has lately become very unreliable for me with transfers crashing every few minutes and needing to be restarted (some combination of the DNS 323, the USB cable, or the USB enclosure is messing things up) - bottom line, I don't want to use the DNS 323's USB slot anymore.

What I imagine is removing HD_b2, putting in a new drive in its place, and then copying the data from HD_a2 to HD_b2 (subsequent transfers would then use rsync instead of the cp command). Then remove that 3rd drive, put the original HD_b2 back in its place. The idea would be every few weeks to swap the 3rd drive with the 2nd drive (both in the spot of HD_b2) and update it with the latest contents of HD_a2. I vaguely remember trying something like this a long time ago but remember it not being possible - I think the DNS 323 was asking me to format EVERYTHING on the 3rd drive when I put it back into the 2nd bay a few weeks after the initial transfer in order to update the data on it from HD_a2...which, if I have remembered this correctly, is terribly lame.

Of course I'll back up all my data before trying any of your suggestions, but could you tell me if what I envision is possible with the DNS 323 (I really hope so otherwise I'm not sure I can continue using the DNS 323 if I can't regularly and easily make additional backups as I wish)? Could anyone give me detailed steps of how to go about doing it the right way? Thanks so much, I really appreciate your help.

[JavaLawyer]

What you are suggesting is not a good idea. The DNS-323 is not physically designed for regularly swapping out drives. The retaining clips are plastic, and I don't think the ports were designed for this kind of rigorous activity. Secondly, the DNS-323 assigns a unique identifier to the HDD in each slot, which my very well force a reformat when you swap in an "unknown" HDD.  I've read about users who used this schema for a short time with RAID 1, but IMHO, this practice places data in greater jeopardy than just sticking with your two internal HDDs.

I suggest you install an external USB HDD to a PC on your network and schedule a nightly backup. If you want to keep copies of your data offsite, you can purchase an external USB enclosure (attached to your PC) and regularly remove the HDDs from that unit. If your backups are incremental and occur at night, the network traffic shouldn't be an issue.

[random404]

I've gotta say, the DNS 323 is very frustrating with this 'unique identifier' - it has come up for me before as well. It's unbelievable that I cannot put in a new drive without being prompted to reformat it - particularly because I'm not even using RAID! The DNS is unnecessarily treating the 2 drives as a 'pair' rather than what they really are - 2 independent drives. Unless I've misunderstood something here, I don't know what purpose it serves - I'm dumbfounded by this design.

The way I see it a NAS should be like any other computer - if I have a desktop with 2 separate drives in it, I can copy data from drive A to drive B, then replace drive B with drive C and then back to drive B and keep everything in sync. So if I'm understanding this correctly, the DNS 323 does not operate in this sensible manner?

Now is there REALLY no way to use the DNS 323 itself to keep other drives in sync with its contents without using some form of USB enclosure (either connected to the DNS 323 or to a computer on the network)? Had I known I would certainly have opted for another solution rather than purchasing a DNS 323.

[JavaLawyer]

Now is there REALLY no way to use the DNS 323 itself to keep other drives in sync with its contents without using some form of USB enclosure (either connected to the DNS 323 or to a computer on the network)? Had I known I would certainly have opted for another solution rather than purchasing a DNS 323.

Perform a search on this forum and you will find threads from users who had some measure of success performing what you are looking to achieve using RAID 1. Read what they have to say, but also carefully read the heeds of warning from very experienced users regarding the danger and pitfalls of this approach.