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ReadyNAS backup to USB EXT4 - How to check USB disk integrity
I have scheduled backups under OS 6.4.2 to external USB drives. Previously, the USB drives were NTFS format. I used Chkdsk monthly to check drive function and file integrity. This found failing dri...
Labdoc1 wrote:
Stephen,
>Why are you using a backup file format that you can only read on the NAS?
"can only read on the NAS" (2) over the network when the USB is attached to the RNAS (cifs).Reading it from the NAS over the PC couunts as "reading it on the NAS".
Labdoc1 wrote:
Why use EXT4 - As my main (only) use of the USB backup to date has been to restore the RNAS after a factory re-install, I do not routinely need to access the USB files.You never routinely need to access backup files. But when you do, it's really important that you can read them. But I didn't realize Paragon had an extfs toolkit for windows, and that does make a difference of course. I'd get it up front though, and make sure it works well for you. It's important to get test your backup recovery options before you need them.
Disk integrity can be checked on Windows with vendor diags (lifeguard for WDC, seatools for seagate). The generic tests in both can generally be used with any drive.
fsck is the right tool for file system integrity, but I don't think that is included with Paragon for Windows. It is available for OSX since OSX runs UNIX underneath.
So the options right now are:
(a) enable SSH and run the test on the command line of the NAS
(b) use a linux LiveCD or a VM on the windows system, and run the commands there.
It would be useful if Netgear added fsck in the admin UI for ext USB drives. Perhaps add that to the idea exchange. I don't recall if the "disk test" option in ReadyNAS is available for USB drives - if not, perhaps suggest that in the same post.
Labdoc1 wrote:
However, I have now switched to EXT4 for the USB drives.
...However, I do not have a linux computer or any knowledge of linux,
Why are you using a backup file format that you can only read on the NAS? That seems quite dangerous.
Stephen,
>Why are you using a backup file format that you can only read on the NAS?
"can only read on the NAS" - Windows reads EXT4 (1) with drive plugged into the PC via add on utilities (e.g. Paragon USD$20). (2) over the network when the USB is attached to the RNAS (cifs).
Why use EXT4 - As my main (only) use of the USB backup to date has been to restore the RNAS after a factory re-install, I do not routinely need to access the USB files. During a restore, I use Rsync over the network Netgear recommends EXT4 for the backups and they do run faster in my experience.
What is lacking is an easy way to confirm file system integrity on the EXT4 USB drive.I had hoped someone on the Forum would have figured out an easy way to do this. I suppose, given that Netgear recommends EXT4, I could say that Netgear should provide a file system check utility, in a manner parallel to their Readynas utilities to Defrag, Scrub and Balance.
Murray
Labdoc1 wrote:
Stephen,
>Why are you using a backup file format that you can only read on the NAS?
"can only read on the NAS" (2) over the network when the USB is attached to the RNAS (cifs).Reading it from the NAS over the PC couunts as "reading it on the NAS".
Labdoc1 wrote:
Why use EXT4 - As my main (only) use of the USB backup to date has been to restore the RNAS after a factory re-install, I do not routinely need to access the USB files.You never routinely need to access backup files. But when you do, it's really important that you can read them. But I didn't realize Paragon had an extfs toolkit for windows, and that does make a difference of course. I'd get it up front though, and make sure it works well for you. It's important to get test your backup recovery options before you need them.
Disk integrity can be checked on Windows with vendor diags (lifeguard for WDC, seatools for seagate). The generic tests in both can generally be used with any drive.
fsck is the right tool for file system integrity, but I don't think that is included with Paragon for Windows. It is available for OSX since OSX runs UNIX underneath.
So the options right now are:
(a) enable SSH and run the test on the command line of the NAS
(b) use a linux LiveCD or a VM on the windows system, and run the commands there.
It would be useful if Netgear added fsck in the admin UI for ext USB drives. Perhaps add that to the idea exchange. I don't recall if the "disk test" option in ReadyNAS is available for USB drives - if not, perhaps suggest that in the same post.
Thank you. I had not considered the VM option, and I will definitely try it. I believe you are correct about the Paragon program not offering a fsck function. And I will add a note to the suggestion box.
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