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Need help selecting backup/RN features #24580559
Ok, I am having some difficulty translating RN features into function ;)
I have ReadyNAS 316 16TB RAID6 in XRAID2 mode.
I have created some shares and mapped a windows 7 drive to backup a bunch of laptop files.
But here is what I am trouble figuring out.
1. Automatic (realtime?) backup/replicate of Windows laptop directory to RN
2. Any type of backup solution for Android devices (photos, files, notes, etc)
3. Cloud storage and availability from laptop/Android/Linux variants/adhoc (from any machine by supplying proper login)
It seems when I use NG's support/FAQ/KB/etc all the 'downloads' that seem like they would be a Windows Client software simply open up Frontview :(
When I browse network devices on my Win 7 machine and select RN316, instead of opening it to shares, it launches the Frontview webpage interface. Ugh!
I do NOT want to do every bit of file management via a webpage. Not sure if this is because of OS6.2.2?
I purchased the RN300 to avoid building a Linux box from scratch and adding all the services. It will be easy, they said. It will save you frustration, they said :D
I mapped the network drive by IP Address (internal) and windows credentials for my admin account. Obviously this is problematic when outside the office with no access. I am accustomed to old-school access methods of port forwarding, static routes, credential lists, etc.
A question about RN's Cloud services. Is the RN316 providing the Cloud access directly, or via NG's servers? I purchased the RN316 so I didn't have to rely on any external company's servers for storage, security, or access.
Why? Considering recent rulings that permit ANY email stored on an email server for more than 6 months can be accessed by authorities WITHOUT A SEARCH WARRANT (!), how long will it be before the same is true of Cloud storage? Then what happens when JoeBlow has illegal stuff on his account and the server that happens to also house your data is confiscated or destroyed, or even taken offline and crawled for...who knows what. A bad path to be avoided.
Besides, having local (ethernet speeds) access to our data is important to us.
Maybe I'm being dense trying to find these solutions? I've looked at the Available Apps section, but little info is available about them and each leads again to NG's general help site, not a topic specific site.
If I need to add an app or service to my RN, no problem, I am open to recommendations. I don't mind purchasing a reasonable product, but not looking for monthly fees when my hardware and access is already paid for ;)
So somebody please help this thickheaded IT veteran.
Thanks
I have ReadyNAS 316 16TB RAID6 in XRAID2 mode.
I have created some shares and mapped a windows 7 drive to backup a bunch of laptop files.
But here is what I am trouble figuring out.
1. Automatic (realtime?) backup/replicate of Windows laptop directory to RN
2. Any type of backup solution for Android devices (photos, files, notes, etc)
3. Cloud storage and availability from laptop/Android/Linux variants/adhoc (from any machine by supplying proper login)
It seems when I use NG's support/FAQ/KB/etc all the 'downloads' that seem like they would be a Windows Client software simply open up Frontview :(
When I browse network devices on my Win 7 machine and select RN316, instead of opening it to shares, it launches the Frontview webpage interface. Ugh!
I do NOT want to do every bit of file management via a webpage. Not sure if this is because of OS6.2.2?
I purchased the RN300 to avoid building a Linux box from scratch and adding all the services. It will be easy, they said. It will save you frustration, they said :D
I mapped the network drive by IP Address (internal) and windows credentials for my admin account. Obviously this is problematic when outside the office with no access. I am accustomed to old-school access methods of port forwarding, static routes, credential lists, etc.
A question about RN's Cloud services. Is the RN316 providing the Cloud access directly, or via NG's servers? I purchased the RN316 so I didn't have to rely on any external company's servers for storage, security, or access.
Why? Considering recent rulings that permit ANY email stored on an email server for more than 6 months can be accessed by authorities WITHOUT A SEARCH WARRANT (!), how long will it be before the same is true of Cloud storage? Then what happens when JoeBlow has illegal stuff on his account and the server that happens to also house your data is confiscated or destroyed, or even taken offline and crawled for...who knows what. A bad path to be avoided.
Besides, having local (ethernet speeds) access to our data is important to us.
Maybe I'm being dense trying to find these solutions? I've looked at the Available Apps section, but little info is available about them and each leads again to NG's general help site, not a topic specific site.
If I need to add an app or service to my RN, no problem, I am open to recommendations. I don't mind purchasing a reasonable product, but not looking for monthly fees when my hardware and access is already paid for ;)
So somebody please help this thickheaded IT veteran.
Thanks
23 Replies
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NetworkedinPA wrote: Nhellie wrote:
If so, that is really...Lame, useless, amateurish, (pick your adjective)...software.
Haha, I would'nt be so rude about it. I'll just say it's just a new software, let's give their engineers a few more months, hopefully they will add the features that we are looking for. :lol:Nhellie wrote: NetworkedinPA wrote: Nhellie wrote:
If so, that is really...Lame, useless, amateurish, (pick your adjective)...software.
Haha, I would'nt be so rude about it. I'll just say it's just a new software, let's give their engineers a few more months, hopefully they will add the features that we are looking for. :lol:
Yeah, sorry if that came off a bit harsh ;)
But really, who in their right mind would tout a feature that requires users to completely redesign and change their data storage structure on their individual machines? I get there are constraints that sometime require this on the remote storage system (ie NAS), but change your machines...
Besides, the 'user' directories in Windows have access problems for files when logging in under different credentials. Rule of thumb is 'Anyone' files go into standard structure, 'Only me' files go into User structure or on server home directories.
It is starting to look like I'll have to load up all different, 3rd party software to get the features of autobackup, auto sync, access across multiple devices from anywhere that NG is advertising in ReadyNAS. If so, why not just load up a Linux box with a RAID controller and use DDNS?
I am on hold with tech support now. I really hope they tell me (and show me) that I'm just thick headed and using the software incorrectly! I can handle making mistakes. I don't much like vaporware ;)- Update:
After finally getting through to support and past the initial junk, took a trip with tech through various parts of the software, finding and fixing (well, reporting bugs and feature requests), here are the results related to my concerns above.
As of 01/22/15 this is the state of Sync and Interface (PC Client)
1. There is NO WAY to select a folder on a PC for sync to NAS, unless it is one under the 'User' subfolder. {They need to open a dialog box that can default to User folder but has browse}
2. ReadyCloud PC Client software runs and does not appear in the taskbar. It lives only in the tool/notification area. Also cannot be Alt-Tab to select, only from notification area.
3. In RC PC Client software, "Backup PC Folder" isn't really a backup. It is SYNC the folder on a PC! There is the missing sync feature ;) It does only work on 'User' directory as well, but there is a workaround.
4. Workaround to SYNC other directories on a PC is to use mklink.
Run CMD
mklink /D linkname linkdirectory
> This puts a link called whatever 'linkname' is into the User directory that points to the directory 'linkdirectory' (hint: browse using windows explorer, select the folder icon in the path box, copy it to clipboard, then use top left of cmd window to select paste- with a leading and ending double quote "). Now you can use the client software and "Backup PC Folder" to SYNC the folder to the NAS- and keep it sync'd!
5. Snapshot names are alpha-numeric ONLY! If in admin page and selecting a share, snapshot, you can enter any name you want. The label "Name:" turns red if you add a space, but upon clicking 'Create' it looks as though it is frozen. There isn't any indication of a bad filename or any naming convention restrictions. {Bug reported}
6. ReadyDrop is being phased out and being replaced by ReadyCloud, hence the lack of support or new features.
So ReadyNAS can actually deliver on the advertised directory Sync feature (on PC's anyways, haven't tried Android yet), albeit in a kludgy kind of way for now.
I can't say when or if they will make these corrections and implementations. As far as I know they still haven't replaced OS6.2.2 with a final version and it has a terminal error that crashes Apache! :roll:
(I was about to add the case number, but see someone has done it for me) - We have a beta that addresses the app uninstallation issue. See http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=154&t=78866
We have more changes planned for 6.2.3.
When a situation comes up like the app uninstallation issue that crashes apache we have to consider whether a public beta build with a fix is sufficient or whether we need to alter our production firmware release plans. In this case we decided to release a public beta with a fix. - New update:
Apparently I've been given the electronic version of the middle finger!I took a look at the requests you are making and after analaysis, these are to be considered as feature requests and not bugs. I have submitted each request to our development team.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an ETA or even an assurance that your feature requests will be implemented. As such, we will be closing the case. Continue to check ReadyNAS OS6 and ReadyCLOUD app release notes for requested features
So, I guess incorrect wording and failure to deliver on a specified and advertised feature is not considered a BUG by Netgear???
I didn't even have the opportunity to respond, the door was SLAMMED :evil:
Time for a poll: Who thinks a Backup and SYNC is exactly the same thing? LOL.
A backup is an instance. It can be scheduled, it can be repeated.
A SYNC is an automated synchronization of files on a reoccurring and continuous basis.
Giving the ability to SYNC a handful of directories ONLY under User directory and pitching it as a full-fledged feature isn't a mistake. Apparently, it's intentional...that would be misleading.
Mistake<->Intentional<->Misleading<->False Advertising<->Fraud
It's a scale. Personally, I'd rather call it a Mistake, spend 2hrs fixing it by adding a file selection dialog, then deliver on the promise ;) - All feature requests passed on to product engineering are reviewed by them. If they feel some of your requests are bugs then they will treat those ones as such.
The support agent did pass on your concern over the naming of the feature.
There really wasn't any more the agent could have done. He passed on your concerns to product engineering and provided you with expectations as to what will happen with those. mdgm wrote: All feature requests passed on to product engineering are reviewed by them. If they feel some of your requests are bugs then they will treat those ones as such.
As someone who has managed a number of software development and support teams, I can tell you there is a very significant difference between a report of a BUG and a Feature Request.
A Bug prevents the software from functioning properly or reliably delivering intended features.
A Feature Request is simply a recommendation for improvement.
Any good project manager understands the differences in priority, timeline, and resources of each.
In my opinion, anything that prevents the ReadyNAS from delivering on it's advertised and promoted features is most definitely a bug.
But, hey, it's your shop. I'm only the customer. No reason for me to expect it to work as promised. Not like you owe me anything for spending my hard earned money on it :roll:
But I can (and will) continue to give my honest evaluation and opinion of the ReadyNAS, it's features, support, and overall package.- Our agents will not seek to set expectations that are higher than what will be delivered.
We value feedback from our customers and regardless of whether feedback passed on relates to a bug or a feature request it is reviewed by our engineering team. You raised a number of issues with our support agent and certainly most (if not all) of these were feature requests.
If the naming is considered to be an bug then it would still likely be a lower priority bug. - Like most, I see potential and would like the RN to do more, easier, faster, etc.
But at the end of the day, I expect it to deliver it's promised features. Completely and reliably.
Only Sync for a handful of directories? Not very complete.
I'm not trying to start an argument, quite the opposite ;)
I am very concerned with the lackadaisical approach to fixing problems that inhibit the features users expect and what is advertised and promoted. I see a disturbing 'we'll fix it when we get to it, if we feel like it' impression from a number of topics, reviews, and now personal experience with the ReadyNAS team.
That is not a good thing.
Fix it, don't fix it. Deliver and be proud, or don't. That is up to NetGear.
As for me, I'll use it or not use it. Buy it or not. Recommend it or against it.
BTW, this is the same for all current and potential customers. They want them or they don't. - I'm not trying to start an argument either.
Like everyone we have to prioritise how we spend our time. As much as we might like to we can't do everything all at once.
How a feature is named may be an issue to you, but if a feature is not functioning e.g. app uninstallation doesn't work properly and users lose access to the web admin interface of the NAS that is quite another matter.
This is the same with any OS or software. Things can take longer than expected and unexpected things can happen so it is difficult to give any timeframes as to when a change may happen.
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