NAS with FTP as off-site backup

[VonMeister]

I've got about 2.5TB of stuff that I don't want to ever loose (pictures, music collection, etc.). For backups, my strategy right now is to back up to a couple of USB drives locally and then another couple that live at my in-laws house. The problem obviously is that the off-site backup is only up to date if I bring the drives back to my house to back them up (which happens less frequently than I'd like).

So I was thinking of getting something like a Synology DS210j or similar. Get it pre-loaded at home, set up FTP, set up a Dynamic DNS address (like no-ip.com or the like) and then bring it over to my in-laws house where I'll just plug it into their router, open the appropriate ports to it, and have it as a "live" off-site backup.

Thoughts? I'm not worried about speed since I can only back-up as fast as our internet connection.

This looks like the right solution for what I'd like to do, but I want to make sure there's no issues I haven't really missed.

Thanks!
-VM

 

[kevnich2]

Take a look at this site: www.crashplan.com

No I don't have any affiliation with them. They have lots of options - backing up to their system via the cloud, backing up to a usb hard drive then taking that drive to another system also running crashplan (ideal way IMO)

 

[nsafreak]

Crashplan looks nice but they mention that you have to pay extra for CrashPlan+ in order to get rid of ads. So I'm not a big fan of that idea, having to pay extra to get rid of ads when you're already paying for a service frankly stinks. I would go with Carbonite instead. They've been around for a while now and have a good and established reputation. Putting backup drives at an inlaws location really isn't the greatest idea if you ask me as you're relying on a consumer grade connection & presence for your file security. A service like Carbonite is going to have your information backed up multiple times across their network because they know if they lose it then they've got issues.

 

[VonMeister]

Thanks. I've been using Mozy and spent 6 months uploading. Then I upgraded my PC and had to start over again. That's why I'm wanting to take control of this myself and not have to rely on some cloud computing company. I understand that Crashplan kind of can do what I want, but I don't want to have a USB drive plugged into a computer at the remote site with some software having to run on that computer.

My options really are something like a NAS box that has some smarts (that I can FTP into for backups), building a NAS myself, or some other solution.

-VM

 

[kevnich2]

Sorry nsafreak but that's not correct.

The ads are only in the program itself - once it's setup you don't even notice them. And you can pay for the crashplan+ service which is a flat fee of like $50 for the life of the program - and you do NOT pay for the crashplan service unless you chose to backup to their servers (which is another option but it's not actually necessary at all)

If you backup to a friend's system that also has crashplan installed - you don't pay anything more than the program itself if you wish.

I've also used carbonite as well - it doesn't backup everything in a given folder unless you put alot of work into selecting all of the different extensions that aren't auto included. This was too much frustration for me and then I found crashplan - works better and is cheaper.

 

[kevnich2]

I understand that Crashplan kind of can do what I want, but I don't want to have a USB drive plugged into a computer at the remote site with some software having to run on that computer.

Then how exactly do you plan on backing up to a remote site if you don't have storage at that other location and a mechanism to get that data to the other location? Sounds like you're not really sure how you want to be backing up remotely?

 

[VonMeister]

Then how exactly do you plan on backing up to a remote site if you don't have storage at that other location and a mechanism to get that data to the other location? Sounds like you're not really sure how you want to be backing up remotely?

The NAS I mentioned has a built in FTP server. There's lots that do now. OK, technically that's another computer, but it's really low power and is small, so that's an option.

I could also try to set up something like a SheevaPlug and external USB drive and again, that's a computer too. What I don't want is to require my in-laws PC to be on in order for me to upload files.

I think you need to read the first message in this thread and look up the NAS that I mentioned. Just wondering if anyone has done something similar and if they've had problems.

-VM

 

[kevnich2]

The NAS I mentioned has a built in FTP server. There's lots that do now. OK, technically that's another computer, but it's really low power and is small, so that's an option.

I could also try to set up something like a SheevaPlug and external USB drive and again, that's a computer too. What I don't want is to require my in-laws PC to be on in order for me to upload files.

I think you need to read the first message in this thread and look up the NAS that I mentioned. Just wondering if anyone has done something similar and if they've had problems.

-VM

I did look at it but I'm still not getting how you want the files to backup to the other location? If you actually look at how the crashplan system works - the app does need to be installed on the other computer but it doesn't need to be turned on 24/7. If the computer is powered on the app automatically connects up and then checks if the files have been changed and then basically syncs up, then there's no more usage. If the computer is turned off mid-sync - that's fine. It resumes the next time it's on. A USB hard drive is not required unless you want to do the initial sync at your local system of your selected files then take the usb drive to that computer and then attach it to the archive.

That is what I did - ran the initial sync to a 1.5tb usb drive, then took that drive and then took it to a family member's house and attached it - voila. No manual ftp'ing or any of that crap and everything is encrypted on the other side so even if they get nosey - nothing for them to look at. And I've actually installed the free version on most of my family's computer and I back up all their files to my home file server in case their system crashes or a virus wipes it out.

The ideal backup solution is something that runs automatically without any user intervention and something that runs as continuous as can be.

 

[kevnich2]

Honestly - my solution could be totally free - why don't you install it and give it a try and see how it really works - if you don't like it remove it and try something else.

Also as far as the FTP server on that NAS - FTP isn't encrypted and also requires another program on the other end that handles the sync. Sounds like a lot of extra work and a lot of $$ to me. I was in your same boat about 2 years ago - I got tired of handling all that and wanted a more simple, automated solution.

 

[bad_monkey]

FTP over SSH (which the synology supports) would not be a bad idea and would give some level of security and isn't too difficult to set up. Or if you are *nix savvy then I would just set up the SSH connection and rsync between the two locations. Rsync is a nice solution as it copies files incrementally so if you only change two files it will only change those two files when you sync and since you will be bandwidth limited it will limit the data being transmitted.

 

[gscone]

I would want to use a reputable name brand company for my cloud backups. I've seen so many of these companies go belly up its not even funny.