I am considering backing up my RN424 which has 2 10TB drives and 2 12TB Seagate NAS drives to another device. Preferably offsite but perhaps on same network.I certainly do not need speed of access or anything on this redundant device. What is the most cost effective Readynas solution? Not sure if I have to buy the same quality of NAS or drives? Maybe just 2? I recall there is a builtin command or app that does this?Or should I use a PC based solution somehow?Thanks,BJBPS. My Android Samsung stock keyboard wants to auto-capitalize every word I type on this forum for some reason? Two devices do the same thing,

As far as jbod goes, I think you could go with a 2-bay NAS with two 16 TB Seagate Ironwolf drives. That would run you maybe $1500. Matching your current drives (RAID) in a 4-bay NAS would probably be about $1800. (I used QNAP for rough pricing, since ReadyNAS are so expensive right now. I've never owned one, so please don't view that as a recommendation). For a ~$300 difference, I'd go with the four bay myself, as it would make volume expansion much easier.

BJB wrote: Thanks. Wow, I've Been Away For A While! I Assume Sourcing Issues Are Hurting Production And Driving Up Readynas Prices Or Is Something Else Going On ? Netgear hasn't said, but there are some folks thinking that they are exiting the NAS business. Though it is possible that it is also linked to supply chain problems.

The 104 would be a fine backup system. It's CPU and memory are rather limited, but it's still viable for backup. Many still use it as a primary NAS. It's certainly a good choice as a way to either get you through the ReadyNAS supply issue or decide that an alternative is a better choice. After all, all you'd be investing is the cost of the drives, which you can re-use in an alternate system.

BJB wrote:I think your answer still applies if it is not the 104 I put them in, but wanted to clarify which NAS I would be pulling them from. I was confused, but the answer still applies. One thing to understand: When you reinsert the old drives, the NAS will install the firmware in it's flash if that is newer than what is on the old disks. That should be fine, but you might want to reinsert the drives after you upgrade to the next major firmware release (from 6.10.x to 6.11.x for example). Also, if the NAS hasn't been used for a long time, you should update the firmware before you remove the drives. I wouldn't go above 6.10.3 (in order to ensure you don't get hit by the current login loop). If the current firmware for the RN104 is older than 6.5.2, you have to upgrade in steps - the release notes have the details. You can brick the NAS if you don't follow those rules.

Frankly, for a NAS that is going to be just backup, and especially a 100 series with more limited memory, I'd go with 6.9.6.

Recommended backup device for an RN424

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Sandshark
Sensei
Jul 05, 2021
Unfortunately, ReadyNAS stocks are very low, so it's more a question of what you can find than cost effectiveness. And when you can find them, they are pricey right now. A non-ReadyNAS solution would certainly work. But a ReadyNAS solution, assuming the same number of drives in each and both running OS6, has the added advantage of being able to move the drives from one to the other if the hardware dies.

Used is an option, including a legacy unit converted to run OS6. But you get no warranty support, and it's hard to know the previous life cycle of the NAS. Other than power supplies, which can be replaced, I've found them to be reliable for years. But it's still risky.

How many drives? I personally still choose to use RAID for my backups. But if it's truly backup (another copy of everything exists), not archival, then you coulod go without at a greater risk of having to start over in the case of a drive failure.

As far as implementing the backup, I recommend using a VPN. That would be independent of what device you use. I personally choose ZeroTier, but OpenVPN, especially if implemented in your routers, is another option.
- StephenB
  Guru - Experienced User
  Jul 05, 2021
  As far as jbod goes, I think you could go with a 2-bay NAS with two 16 TB Seagate Ironwolf drives. That would run you maybe $1500.
  
  Matching your current drives (RAID) in a 4-bay NAS would probably be about $1800. (I used QNAP for rough pricing, since ReadyNAS are so expensive right now. I've never owned one, so please don't view that as a recommendation).
  
  For a ~$300 difference, I'd go with the four bay myself, as it would make volume expansion much easier.
  - BJB
    Aspirant
    Jul 06, 2021
    Thanks. Wow, I've Been Away For A While! I Assume Sourcing Issues Are Hurting Production And Driving Up Readynas Prices Or Is Something Else Going On ?
    
    I actually Also Have An Old Rn104 That Was My Production Nas Before The RN424. If I Pulled And Saved The Old 4 Drives In Case Of Some Future Need And popped In New Ones Would That Work?
    
    I Just Had To Show How Android Typing Is Working By Not Fixing Each First letter Of Each Word!😀
    Thanks,
    BJB

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Recommended backup device for an RN424

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