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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBK760 with two satellites: What is the best NAS?
I have an Orbi RBK760 with two satellites that I bought from Costco. I want to set up a NAS for auto back up of a desk top PC that is connected to the Orbi router via CAT cable and Windows laptops ...
techymechy wrote:
I have an Orbi RBK760 with two satellites that I bought from Costco. I want to set up a NAS for auto back up of a desk top PC that is connected to the Orbi router via CAT cable and Windows laptops and Mac laptops (laptops via wireless).
* How does one do this? Is there a step by step description that a 5 year old could understand?
* What is the recommended NAS for this purpose?
Generally I think it's best to run the backup software itself on the PC. There are several packages that can be set up to run on schedule (including powering up the PC if necessary) and back up the PC to a network share. One of several is FreeFileSync (which as the name implies, is free).
Another factor to consider is disaster recovery - preserving data even if there is theft, fire, flood, ransomware attack, etc. While I do back up my data locally (I have more than one NAS), I also use cloud backup. You don't need to back up everything to the cloud, but it would be good to put any personal records (documents, photos, videos) that can't be replaced in cloud storage as well as local backup.
Another approach to disaster recovery is to keep a copy of the backup in another location. If you are disciplined enough, you can copy the data to a USB drive, and arrange with a friend or family member to keep a copy of the data in their home - or use a safety deposit box if you have one. You'd then need to regularly update that copy.
It is also possible to set up a NAS in a remote location, and back up to that NAS. That would require a more advanced setup, so that might require more tech knowledge than you have right now.
ReadyNAS is of course one possibility. But Netgear is clearly exiting their NAS business - anything you purchase would be used, and be unsupported. So likely not the best choice.
If I were looking for a new NAS now, I would be looking at these three brands first.
- Asustor
- QNAP
- Synology
These are listed alphabetically - I am not recommending one over the others, just trying to give you a starting point.
The WD myDrive Pro system you linked in is also worth considering - it might be simpler to set up and administer than the models I'd be interested in. If you haven't reviewed its manual, you can find it here:
techymechy wrote:
* How does one do this? Is there a step by step description that a 5 year old could understand?
A NAS isn't a "set up and forget" device. You will need to learn the basics of how it works, and monitor it regularly for errors (disk failures, etc). You might want to download the manuals for the models you are considering, and read through them before purchase.
If you do decide to consider ReadyNAS, the software manual is here:
techymechy wrote:
I'm concerned about the software compatibility with my ORBI.
That is not a concern. Any NAS will be compatible with your Orbi. They are basically specialized PCs (running linux instead of Windows), and just need the same basic routing services that your desktop PCs use.
techymechy wrote:
I see a used Synology DS416
another potential local used NAS is
You can find new basic 2-bay diskless NAS suitable for backup for about $200-$300 USD. Two 12 TB Ironwolf or Red Plus drives are suitable choices, and would cost about $250 each. So a completely new system would cost you $700-$800.
Used models are definitely cheaper, but it is worth looking into the vendor's support policies. Netgear (for example) did not provide any support at all for used NAS - and their warranty is not transferrable. No idea on the others.
Also, some users here have purchased used ReadyNAS that either didn't work properly or were missing some needed parts (usually drive trays, or screws for the drives). So definitely something to be careful about.
Given your concern regarding compatibility with the router, I just want to verify that you are looking for a NAS, which connects to your network via Ethernet, and not something that connects to the Orbi via USB. Many routers have some basic NAS-like functionality with USB-connected drives, which may be what you are really wanting.
Thanks so much for the replies.
To be more clear, this is what I was envisioning:
1. My desktop is connected to my ORBI base switch via CAT cable. My internet modem is also connected to my Orbi Switch.
2. I will have both Windows and Mac Laptops which use the ORBI wireless around the house.
3. I would like to get a NAS that will be connected to the ORBI switch via CAT cable. This NAS will allow daily updates from the CAT wired desktop and the laptops.
I read somewhere that the ORBI will not allow a NAS to have daily updates via wireless connection for laptops (both windows and Mac).
I don't know if this is a function of the NAS, the software being used on the NAS/desktop/laptop computers or the ORBI.
I really like my ORBI for the coverage and speed, but I didn't look into setting this up for a NAS.
I am thinking I'll buy a new NAS, probably 2 bay with a mirrored drive. I have a external 3 Tb drive that is used for manual backups, but I only do it once per quarter. I really need to be more disciplined for getting updates on a daily basis.
Do you have a recommendation for a great NAS for my purpose? I can't see myself ever using this device for file sharing or streaming DVD's, etc. I just want it for data back-up.
techymechy wrote:
I read somewhere that the ORBI will not allow a NAS to have daily updates via wireless connection for laptops (both windows and Mac).
I use an Orbi myself (an RBS860 system), and I do back up our laptops over wireless connections.
I suspect that you are misunderstanding what you read. It's not about what the Orbi will "allow".
If the PC is off when the backup is scheduled, then the NAS can wake it up over a wired ethernet connection - and then do the backup.. That process won't work when the PC isn't connected wirelessly because the wifi radio in the PC is off when it is shut down. The protocol used to wake up the laptop might also fail over wifi if the laptop is simply in sleep mode.
One reason I suggested running the backup software on the PCs is that it eliminates that problem. The backup software can schedule the PC to wake up when the backup is scheduled, and perform the backup, and then shut the PC down again. That eliminates any need for the NAS to do the wakeup.
FWIW, personally I just manually start the backups on the laptops once a week.
techymechy wrote:
Do you have a recommendation for a great NAS for my purpose? I can't see myself ever using this device for file sharing or streaming DVD's, etc.
I generally won't recommend something I haven't used myself - and I only own ReadyNAS.
Pretty much any NAS will do what you need, I think the real issue for you is whether their admin interface is something easy enough for you to use. So I suggest looking at the manuals of vendors I suggested earlier (plus the WD mydrive pro), as I think that will inform your decision.
techymechy wrote:
I just want it for data back-up.
FWIW, We also use if for storage consolidation. Like you, we have multiple PCs. One challenge is keeping all fhe files organized, so we don't have competing (e.g., different) versions of the same documents, and minimize duplication.
So the files we care about are all on the NAS, and we access them over the network from whatever PC we are using.
Of course if you use it this way, you also need to back up the NAS (since any device can fail).
We also do have music and videos on it.
If you have the NAS control the backup, you will also have to insure the IP address for the laptops is reserved so they are always the same. Lastly, a backup controlled by the NAS won't back up anything that's in use, which can include your email (if stared locally) and a lot of system files. Backups that run on a Windows PC will make a shadow copy of those files and then back those up. I suspect a Mac has a similar implementation. It is that factor that drives me toward PC-based backups with the NAS as just destination storage.
A big down side of a PC-initiated backup is only a concern if you don't plan for the NAS to be on all the time. You have to insure the NAS is on and stays on for the backup. With a NAS-initiated backup, it knows if the backup is still in progress and can hold off a power-down. With a PC-based one, it can't do that. Mine's on 24/7, so this is of no concern to me.
I can't find anything about it, but perhaps the Orbi also doesn't transmit WoL to the satellites, so all systems using it must be connected to the same unit (base or satellite) via Ethernet? I can't imagine that being the case, but maybe that's also part of what you've heard.
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