Storage Scheme Suggestions

[Rokuk]

Hi there.

I'm looking for suggestions on two data storage scenarios to get redundant data storage for both myself, and for possible clients on a short-term basis. I have several personal systems, and would also like to have the option of putting client data on another drive if I do computer house-calls to fix/clean systems.


The second part seems pretty straight-forward: an external USB connected drive as it is easy to carry from place to place and to plug in. I would only need a single drive for this, and no fancy bells and whistles. Would it be better to get a pre-packaged solution, or buy an external enclosure with a USB interface paired up with a decent internal drive? I don't need any features like auto-backup or drive status (to display if a drive is dead). I've looked, but can't find any sites that do decent comparative reviews of this type of solution.


The first part is a bit more complicated. For my personal stuff I'd preferably want something I can schedule automatic "backup"/synching with to at least one system, AND have a RAID mirror running. As I would basically want to set the thing up and then forget about it, I wouldn't be looking at it often, so I'd like some way for it to tell me if one of the RAID drives has died so I can replace it.

I've been going back and forth between buying something like the Apple TimeCapsule (though I don't own a Mac, so the auto-backup wouldn't work from what I'm told), the Drobo (which I LOVE for the drive status LED to notify on drive failure, but is pretty pricey), rolling my own NAS (thinking FreeNAS), or buying a two-drive USB external enclosure and putting two RAID mirrored drives in it. This last method I don't know how I'd RAID mirror the drives (as an enclosure would just be a "dumb" frame for the drives, right?). I also think I'd need to use an auto-backup/drive synch software to schedule the automatic synch's, correct? I don't need multiple date backup's, just most current. The ONLY thing I want this to do is to guard against drive failure. The only reason I'm not just looking to RAID mirror drives in the system itself, is that I'd like it to hopefully work over multiple systems (I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops, but if that's a problem I could get away with just backing up one of each rather than all 4)...



Hope these questions aren't too "newb" - I think I already "know" 80% of the answer in my head but am just kind of overwhelmed with the number of choices. I'm the kind of person who researches the HECK out of any purchase for months beforehand, but I just can't seem to find "THE BEST" product/s for my situation that way. I've been at this for a long time, but haven't made a firm mental decision yet (which is driving me insane). Any suggestions would be awesome!!

Thank you

 

[chrisf6969]

I've dealt with those same questions and issues.

I was thinking. Raid 1 the answer to most of my problems, but as everyone pointed out... what if something happens like fire, lightening strike, etc... and both drives crap out.

So obviously you need something in another location or at least in a fire safe cabinet in the same location.

My solution for my home PC is this:
1 x Intel X25-M 80Gb for OS & Apps
2 x WD 640Gb Black Raid 1 for Data
my old WD 74Gb Raptor in a USB enclosure for data back up done only about 1x a month and kept in a firesafe cabinet.

For work PC(s):
I have a NAS box that I bought a long time ago. It has a 320Gb drive in it. Files are backed up automatcially weekly via a batch file scheduled to run on important PCs. Then about once a month I back up the most important (accounting) files to an 1Gb flash drive (only a few things that are irreplaceable).

 

[Rokuk]

Hi Chris!

Thanks for getting back to me!

I have thought long and hard about this (months) and I am willing to accept the possibility of fire/flood/theft. I really only want to prevent data loss in the event of drive failure. That's it! I do not want to use an on-line backup service (ie. Mozy...) for several reasons - I'm paranoid about data, I don't want to have to be internet-connected to ensure a backup happens, many of these services would require a monthly fee for the amount I want to back up... Really, RAID 1 is all I want. I've thought about it. A lot = )

Are you using something like FreeNAS for your work solution? How was the setup / how is maintenance on it? Do you get any indicator if the backup drive fails so you can replace it for the next scheduled backup?


For my "work" solution, I'd only be using it to pull data off a client drive and put it right back onto a clean and/or fixed drive once the repair is made. So it would only be on it for a few hours to a day or three. It sounds like your work backup would be closer to what I'd want for my home backup, and visa-versa = ) Which is funny, but still very helpful!

 

[pjkenned]

You can do this VERY easily with a custom built Windows Home Server, especially if your clients run windows. Apple OSX clients are a bit harder, but you just need to time machine the backups to the USB drive or the WHS box. Either use duplication or raid 6 in the WHS box to prevent data loss. You can do restores, and backups to removeable drives (eg USB drives) straight from the WHS.

Super easy, but assuming your clients have lots of data, you just need to have a monster WHS (storage wise) not a tiny one.

 

[elconejito]

+1 for WHS. Even if you have macs, there is a plugin that Acer and I think HP have which allows Macs to connect and backup. Just make sure to setup folder redundancy which will duplicate the folder on multiple drives (kinda like RAID1 but not). SUPER easy setup, relatively cheap, small size, and low power as well.

For myself, I chose to do it the hard way. I built a RAID5 server running ubuntu. I setup all the computers in the house to backup to this server, and then I use JungleDisk for online backup as well.

For your external solution, you might consider a dock. That way you can just pop a customer's disk in without opening the enclosure and copy to your desktop/laptop, etc. If you will only be using your own drive, then an enclosure is good. You might consider the large 500GB 2.5" drives as they don't require a separate power cable and are much easier to stash in a bag.