Help backing up 6TB

SandLake

Maybe take a step back and design a storage strategy - sounds over the top but in the long run might be the best option.

In my garage I have a home built NAS running Xpenology (a free standalone Synology OS) with 12Tb split into 8Tb as an SHR disk (so is only really 4Tb) and 4Tb JBOD. The 8Tb is backed up using Synology every night to the 4Tb (This is data that I could re-download or obtain from elsewhere) and I also have a DS212j with 2Tb - part of the 8Tb is backed up onto this nightly and this data is irreplacable. The home build and the DS212j are connected via gigabit ethernet.

As far as I can remember the first backup completed in under 8 hours and subsequently in under an hour as it is an update backup (not sure of the correct term 'differential' maybe)

GabbaGabbaHey

esuhl wrote: »

I use FreeFileSync, which has the same effect as dragging-and-dropping files, but it won't copy files that already exist, and has better error handling.

I'm a big fan of FreeFileSynch - it has lots of features and allows you lots of flexibility in how you copy files.

Just be aware that the installer also tries to install a load of crapware alongside !!!!!!. You can usually prevent this by ticking/unticking the right boxes during installation, but you do need to be alert (especially as it's updated quite frequently).

SandLake wrote: »

I also have a DS212j with 2Tb - part of the 8Tb is backed up onto this nightly and this data is irreplacable.

At the risk of banging the same old drum, I hope that you keep a copy of this data at a completely separate location (and I don't just mean in your garage).

googler

It's tempting to suggest that very, very soon, you'll have no need to keep the films/movies in electronic form yourself, and it will be cheaper/easier to stream them from Netflix and/or similar....

You also may want to ask yourself - as I've done when looking at many metres of music DVD and movie DVD on my shelves - how many have you watched since you acquired them? How many will you be likely to watch at all, ever again? When will you find the time? Are you just acquiring them for the sake of it?

djmsemcgrath

I do agree partly with the last post. The main purpose for me starting the whole digitising process ages ago was to be able to get rid of my DVDs and free up some space in my living room but it's debatable how many of the DVDs got repeated watching.

There are some notable exceptions in my collection - series like the West Wing, 24, and some quiz shows (QI), and Attenborough nature shows get repeated viewings, and I have a fairly large store of kids TV shows like Peppa, Ben and Holly, Fireman Sam etc that my little one loves, and it's a lot better not having the adverts - and I have found use in having the actual file, which can be transferred to my phone or other device if she wants to have some distraction in the car, whereas Netflix requires an internet connection.

The NAS can also be used to stream the media to the 3 TV's in the house, as well as the tablet, and the two phones, if required. I often listen to music in bed from my phone, and the wife watches TV upstairs while I'm watching it downstairs, and I think Netflix have a device limit.

But I think it's worth me considering how many of the files are absolutely needed, especially if the costs escalate when it comes to backup strategies.

pmartin86

If you allready have a synology and like what they do, your easiesty option is to buy a second synology, "Hyper backup" in DSM 6.x allows sheduled automatic full backups to a second synology