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Do ReadyNAS backup jobs work like Time Machine?
Do ReadyNAS backup jobs work like Time Machine? Specifically, do ReadyNAS backup jobs first create a local snapshot, which is then used to backup to an external drive? Like this: "Time Machi...
Thank you for the clarification!
Sandshark wrote:On a "push" backup (internal to external), which is what I believe you are describing, yes.
Yes, I was describing a "push" backup (internal ReadyNAS to external drive)
Sandshark wrote:But the downside is that you have to make sure the backup device stays on for the duration of the backup, so powering it via a schedule is challenging.
What do you mean by "powering it via a schedule is challenging"?
Any tips to make a "push" backup (internal ReadyNAS to external drive) run smoothly, if I'm backing up computers to RN overnight while backing up the RN to an external drive?
RNUser76 wrote:What do you mean by "powering it via a schedule is challenging"?
Sandshark and I are both backing up to other ReadyNAS. My backup NAS are on a power schedule, so they only turn on when its time to do the backups, and shut down after they complete.
What is challenging about "push" backups is that the backup NAS has no idea when the backups will finished. So they don't know when to shut down.
That won't affect you if you are backing up to external drives.
RNUser76 wrote:
Any tips to make a "push" backup (internal ReadyNAS to external drive) run smoothly, if I'm backing up computers to RN overnight while backing up the RN to an external drive?
If you are in the middle of backing up a computer when the ReadyNAS backup starts, you won't get coherent results on the external drive.
So you'd want to start the external drive backup first. Then you won't get the most recent computer backup, but the external drive will have coherence (not catching any backups in the middle).
There is a bug with push backups at the moment, so you'd want to avoid 6.10.4 and 6.10.5 firmware (using nothing newer than 6.10.3).
Oh, interesting...
To clarify, I'm currently using the RN's SMB backup to another NAS. I may use the RN's USB backup option directly to an external HD.
StephenB wrote:So you'd want to start the external drive backup first. Then you won't get the most recent computer backup, but the external drive will have coherence (not catching any backups in the middle).
If I start the backup from the RN to the external drive first, as you suggest, does that job need to finish before I start the backup job from the computer to the RN? Or can these jobs overlap?
StephenB wrote:There is a bug with push backups at the moment, so you'd want to avoid 6.10.4 and 6.10.5 firmware (using nothing newer than 6.10.3).
Good to know, thanks.
Are you referring to this bug? https://community.netgear.com/t5/Using-your-ReadyNAS-in-Business/Backups-not-working-yet-status-says-they-are-working/td-p/2102416
If so, that appears to be an rsync only bug, correct? It shouldn't impact other types of push backups from the RN (e.g. via SMB or USB)?
RNUser76 wrote:If I start the backup from the RN to the external drive first, as you suggest, does that job need to finish before I start the backup job from the computer to the RN? Or can these jobs overlap?
The jobs can overlap. Remember that the "push" job begins by making a snapshot, and then backs up the snapshot (then deletes it when finished).
As long as the RN backup begins before the computer backup, the snapshot would be coherent.
RNUser76 wrote:
Are you referring to this bug? https://community.netgear.com/t5/Using-your-ReadyNAS-in-Business/Backups-not-working-yet-status-says-they-are-working/td-p/2102416
If so, that appears to be an rsync only bug, correct? It shouldn't impact other types of push backups from the RN (e.g. via SMB or USB)?
That's the one. I'm not sure if it only affects rsync or not (I haven't tested it myself).
StephenB wrote:
RNUser76 wrote:If I start the backup from the RN to the external drive first, as you suggest, does that job need to finish before I start the backup job from the computer to the RN? Or can these jobs overlap?
The jobs can overlap. Remember that the "push" job begins by making a snapshot, and then backs up the snapshot (then deletes it when finished).
As long as the RN backup begins before the computer backup, the snapshot would be coherent.
ReadyNAS "push" backup seems to be inconsistent with what happens with Mac Time Machine: Remember that the "push" job begins by making a snapshot, and then backs up the snapshot (then deletes it when finished).
Try this: With a fresh ReadyNAS, load it up with data and immediately setup and run a "push" backup job to another NAS via SMB (although other connections may work like this, too). There's no delay, the job starts immediately transferring data to the backup NAS.
With Mac Time Machine, there's an extended lag time in the "Preparing" stage, especially on the first backup, before data begins transferring.
"If a Time Machine backup takes longer than you expect
Your first backup might take a long time, depending on the number of files to back up."https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204412
"Time Machine - Preparing takes forever… (> 6hours)"
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/391948/time-machine-preparing-takes-forever-6hours
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