Adequate back-up

Posted by: jsaudio on 15 October 2018

I currently use a QNAP NAS with Asset. I have WD back up drive connected via USB set to back up weekly automatically. I then have a second WD drive that I connect every 6 months or so and back that up manually which I then take to my office off site from home.

Is this adequate loss mitigation?Would you improve this in some way?

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by ChrisSU

The I like to have a second NAS backing up from the first over the network. Then, if one fails, the other can take over immediately, with a server running with the backup folder. Then you are not deprived of music while fixing or replacing the broken NAS. 

Other than that, I’d say you are pretty well sorted with what you’ve got. 

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by Bart

That's a pretty good start.  I use the QNAP backup "app" to do the backup to an external usb drive as well; that tool is much more robust than just doing a file copy.  I keep a current usb drive at home, and like you said I keep one at my office off-site.

Because I already owned it, I have as well a Synology nas that also is always running.  When I add music to the QNAP, I add it as well to the Synology.  If the QNAP goes down, I can just point Roon to the Synology and not be without music for an extended period of time.

In addition, I pay about $120.00 per year for 2tb of storage on Dropbox.  The Synology automatically pushes all changes to my "music" folder up to the Dropbox cloud.  I figure it would take about 2-3 days to download the entire 1.3 TB of data in there if I ever have to rely on it, but at least I have it.

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by Philipp vH
jsaudio posted:

I have WD back up drive connected via USB set to back up weekly automatically.

Setup sounds pretty sound. The 6-months I'd schedule according to a) how many changes you have over time and b) how much effort that extra backup is.

Question: do you have the primary (weekly) drive connected all the time?
It's safer to power-off (or better: disconnect) it; then it's protected against power issues/surges, accidental or malignant deletion/corruption of files, etc. pp. (Though then you of course need to manually connect it 1/week.)

And latest when taking the secondary backup: disconnect the primary backup. Otherwise a fault at that point could wipe all data in one go.

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by Bart

Yes I notice that external usb drives can run pretty hot . . . not sure there is a reason to let it whir away all week for a 1x week backup task.

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by jsaudio

Great advice.Didnt think about disconnecting the primary back-up when backing up the secondary. Could also do a weekly manual back-up on the primary so it doesn't constantly run. Just have to remember to do it.

Was also thinking of getting a new NAS, SSD, to run Roon core and then I could use current QNAP as a ready-to-go back up with server in place.

Posted on: 15 October 2018 by Bart
jsaudio posted:

Great advice.Didnt think about disconnecting the primary back-up when backing up the secondary. Could also do a weekly manual back-up on the primary so it doesn't constantly run. Just have to remember to do it.

Was also thinking of getting a new NAS, SSD, to run Roon core and then I could use current QNAP as a ready-to-go back up with server in place.

Im  running Roon Core on an Intel Nuc with just a 64gb ssd. That's plenty for the OS, Roon and backups, but not for my music.  The 'old' nas is fine as a music store.

Posted on: 16 October 2018 by Rich 1

As I've said elsewhere; Always keep 2 separate backups of all your important or irreplaceable information in different locations to guard against fire and flood. With Nas connected to the net this is easy. I also photocopy important documents such as invoices, insurance etc. In fact all you might need to prove to your insurance company the true costs of your household equipment. Don't give insurance companies 'wiggle room' Rich 

Posted on: 17 October 2018 by michael1702

I am using a Synology DiskStation and do a nightly backup of my music to Amazon Glacier.