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Forum Discussion
Why isn't RAID/NAS a backup strategy
I read, here, that NAS isn't a backup strategy. Why not? That's what I'd want it for, so that my wife can't go nuts if we "lose" our photos of children...or forget to backup the "other" external...
My primary NAS is my primary data storage. If a file is not on the NAS, it's just been downloaded and has not been copied from the download folder on the PC to the NAS. I usually don't do this immediately, but at some point during the day, for if I lost it, I can always download it again. Software downloads are copied over immediately.
As stated, my primary line of defense is the X-Raid2 configuration which preserves the data array in case of the loss of one disk.
My second line of defense is the secondary NAS which backs up the primary automatically every night starting at midnight via rsync. This is a very fast and effective process which synchronizes the files in minutes, not hours. Unlike the primary, there are no shares mapped to drives. However, because it has yesterday's files, if I accidentally erase on or mess one up badly, I can always copy yesterday's version of the file from NAS2 to NAS1 and start over. While this gives me very good protection should something happen to NAS1 it gives no protection in case of theft, fire or natural disaster to my home.
Therefore, an offsite backup is needed as well. In this case, I only back up the critical/important information, such as financial records and photos. In case of total disaster, I can get by without music and videos. However, I recently started an upgrade program for my external drives so that I can store more of this info in off site backup. I used to store this offsite backup in my desk drawer at work some 26 miles away, but since retirement, it is in my SD box at my bank, also some 20 miles away.
Depending on where you live, consider the unthinkable. If you are in the dry west, fires are a danger and can some up suddenly, so you may not have time to grab your NAS and beat feet. The four bay ReadyNAS units do have this nice handle on the back to make this possible (if you have time). If you are in tornado alley, you also may not have time to grab much before seeking shelter. In the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, we now have fairly good warnings about Hurricanes, so if you are prudent, you can find space for the NAS and a laptop before evacuating.
There is no cookie cutter or check list approach, for you have to plan what is best for you. I personally do not trust the cloud, you are dependent on other peoples hardware and business continuity. In the second post (by mdgm) in the link to Preventing Catastrophic loss, it tells the story of a Professional Organization that violated on of the basic rules of computing and lost data for hundreds of thousands of customers. BTW - this also applies to us with an NAS. Never start an upgrade without updating your backup first, although it works flawlessly in 99.99% of the cases, if you are the .01%, it will be your data at risk. Remember Murphy is always lurking.
Another rule is to never run off of the backup. If you need a file, copy it from the back up to the primary and then perform your operations on it.
Hopefully you now understand the most critical rule - never ever trust important data to only one device, be that device be a CD, DVD, Flash Drive, PC or NAS.
Hopefully, you will avoid joining the non-exclusive club I joined decades ago - the I Lost Data club. I have maintained backups ever since.
As stated, my primary line of defense is the X-Raid2 configuration which preserves the data array in case of the loss of one disk.
My second line of defense is the secondary NAS which backs up the primary automatically every night starting at midnight via rsync. This is a very fast and effective process which synchronizes the files in minutes, not hours. Unlike the primary, there are no shares mapped to drives. However, because it has yesterday's files, if I accidentally erase on or mess one up badly, I can always copy yesterday's version of the file from NAS2 to NAS1 and start over. While this gives me very good protection should something happen to NAS1 it gives no protection in case of theft, fire or natural disaster to my home.
Therefore, an offsite backup is needed as well. In this case, I only back up the critical/important information, such as financial records and photos. In case of total disaster, I can get by without music and videos. However, I recently started an upgrade program for my external drives so that I can store more of this info in off site backup. I used to store this offsite backup in my desk drawer at work some 26 miles away, but since retirement, it is in my SD box at my bank, also some 20 miles away.
Depending on where you live, consider the unthinkable. If you are in the dry west, fires are a danger and can some up suddenly, so you may not have time to grab your NAS and beat feet. The four bay ReadyNAS units do have this nice handle on the back to make this possible (if you have time). If you are in tornado alley, you also may not have time to grab much before seeking shelter. In the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, we now have fairly good warnings about Hurricanes, so if you are prudent, you can find space for the NAS and a laptop before evacuating.
There is no cookie cutter or check list approach, for you have to plan what is best for you. I personally do not trust the cloud, you are dependent on other peoples hardware and business continuity. In the second post (by mdgm) in the link to Preventing Catastrophic loss, it tells the story of a Professional Organization that violated on of the basic rules of computing and lost data for hundreds of thousands of customers. BTW - this also applies to us with an NAS. Never start an upgrade without updating your backup first, although it works flawlessly in 99.99% of the cases, if you are the .01%, it will be your data at risk. Remember Murphy is always lurking.
Another rule is to never run off of the backup. If you need a file, copy it from the back up to the primary and then perform your operations on it.
Hopefully you now understand the most critical rule - never ever trust important data to only one device, be that device be a CD, DVD, Flash Drive, PC or NAS.
Hopefully, you will avoid joining the non-exclusive club I joined decades ago - the I Lost Data club. I have maintained backups ever since.
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