Synology Data Replicator alternative

[taq8ojh]

Whoever ever had a NAS from Synology probably came by this piece of crap software downloadable from their site.
I really hate it from all my heart, and have to say this is one of the lousiest programs for specific purpose I've seen to date. Considering what is it meant for, the options and functionality (or lack of) is absolute rubbish.

Is there any alternative (doesn't have to be free) that will work with Synology NAS (it has its own OS and file system after all...) or am I stuck with this?

 

[postmark]

What does it do? That might help us offer alternatives

 

[taq8ojh]

Uh, creates backups on Synology NAS. I don't think an advice can be made when one is not familiar with those products at all.

 

[Emulex]

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1460222/h...station-for-nas-update-5-28-2013-dsm-4-2-3211

Are you saying similar to windows 7 backup for bare metal to network?

or rsync?

 

[taq8ojh]

Damn forums deleted my post.

Let me elaborate, I was unclear as usual.
I have this Synology NAS connected to our home network consisting of a few Windows-based PCs/notebooks which I need to regularly backup. The Synology software (Disk Replicator 3) for this purpose is shite. I need something to replace it with, but have no idea if it's even possible, seeing how the NAS has its own OS and probably file system, and I have no idea how exactly the software connects to it.

 

[postmark]

If you can map the synology as a drive in windows or it has a network browsable path (\\synology\share) then you can use anything you'd like to backup to it. You can use the built in windows backup. Or you can write your own script using rsync or something. Just because it had it's own os doesn't mean you can't just treat it like any other nas out there

 

[taq8ojh]

Hm, even if the folders in question are password protected?
The way it works is you create "shared folder" from within the NAS' OS, set it to either hidden or not, and associate it with an account. Then supply the credentials to the software which takes care for all the transfers.

 

[postmark]

You could create a non password protected share for backups and encrypt the backup before syncing to the synology

 

[taq8ojh]

I am not sure I understand.
Basically you do have to put in credentials first time you access the whole NAS everytime you boot into Windows. Is there any way around this automatically?

 

[Ken g6]

Perhaps a batch file with net use?

 

[taq8ojh]

Hm, not sure how would I combine it with a backup software.
Anyway, it looks like I will have to buy multi licence for Acronis True Image to do what I want. $80 for 3 PCs is not that bad, but I'll have to stick with Data Replicator for a while before I can afford this.

 

[postmark]

If you're doing image based via acronis why not just use the built in windows backup instead?

Also if you map the synology as a drive in explorer you can save the credentials and tell it to connect at each login.

 

[sathyan]

I have a Synology NAS and here's what I setup:
Mapped a fileshare to to a drive letter with appropriate permissions
Saved the Synology login to the Credential Manager (so it is tied to my Windows login)
Installed SyncToy from Microsoft (free) and setup the folder pairs and ran for the initial backup (I use "Contribute" but "Sync" and "Echo" are also available)
Set SyncToy to run on a schedule in Task Scheduler (daily is good enough for me but you can configure it how you like it)
I followed these instructions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2504...tomatically-with-task-scheduler-in-windows-7/

This task will hit 50% CPU on my circa 2009 system. If I were running the job more often, I would reduce the priority level to free cycles with the task taking longer to complete. Unfortunately, to set priority you have to edit the XML rather than something in the Task Scheduler GUI (in Windows 7).

On Linux, I use rsync and a cron job in a similar way.

 

[taq8ojh]

Acronis True image is worth every penny spent. I've been playing around with it for a little while, and it's just perfect. I will buy it half and half with my father in law, so $50 for backup software that's guaranteed to work and has some extra functions is awesome.

 

[KentState]

Was just going to recommend Acronis. I use it to backup my desktops to the Synology and it works great.