Rsync Remote to local readynas with snapshots on share

Question

Hi All&nbsp;I'm sure this is an FAQ but cant find it anywhere...&nbsp;I am trying to use a RN214 as a backup/archive server. &nbsp;The setup looks like this;&nbsp;Live Server - Allows RSYNC Read for SHARE&nbsp;ReadyNAS - Backup Job from Remote RSYNC to local SHARE. &nbsp;Kicks off hourly.&nbsp;All good so far, nothing complicated.&nbsp;What I now need to do is enable smart snapshots for the SHARE. &nbsp;This creates a snapshots folder inside the SHARE ... in the case /data/SHARE/snapshot.&nbsp;My worry is how will RSYNC respond to having this unknown directory in its way?&nbsp;Is it normal/possible to move the snapshot directory elsewhere? &nbsp;&nbsp;What is best practice here?&nbsp;Thanks&nbsp;Mark&nbsp;

StephenB · Answer

I would use custom snapshots instead (which will give you the ability to set a retention limit).
&nbsp;
You can check "only make snapshots on changes" and also uncheck "allow snapshot access". &nbsp;The latter will remove the snapshots subfolder you are concerned about.
&nbsp;

DOLMark · Answer

Hi StephenB&nbsp;&nbsp;I was looking at smart snapshots as I'd like to use the auto-trimming feature. &nbsp;User is a photography&nbsp;group&nbsp;who's usage can be very variable to say the least. &nbsp;When they're in normal operation they should get 3 months snapshots at one a night. &nbsp;However if they're busy this could come down to a couple of weeks.&nbsp;Does the 'retain 3 months of snapshots' option get overridden when the disk becomes full like the smart snapshot feature?&nbsp;&nbsp;As far as the snapshot folder is concerned I'd like to put it somewhere as they are used to access historical versions via a windows share. &nbsp;(old system which died was rsync + hard link copies overnight in to a dated directory. Snapshots should be better :-)&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks&nbsp;Mark&nbsp;

StephenB · Answer

DOLMark wrote:
When they're in normal operation they should get 3 months snapshots at one a night. &nbsp;However if they're busy this could come down to a couple of weeks.
&nbsp;&nbsp;

Three months means three calendar months. &nbsp;It's not possible to get three months worth of snapshots in a couple of weeks.
&nbsp;
Not making snapshots when nothing changes can have a similar effect to auto-trim.
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DOLMark wrote:
&nbsp;
Does the 'retain 3 months of snapshots' option get overridden when the disk becomes full like the smart snapshot feature?&nbsp;

Yes.
&nbsp;
DOLMark wrote:
&nbsp;
As far as the snapshot folder is concerned I'd like to put it somewhere as they are used to access historical versions via a windows share. &nbsp;

With the settings I posted before you can still access them from windows, but right-clicking on the folder and using the view previous versions function built into windows.
&nbsp;
But I think the rsync exclude list or not - I'm not 100% sure, but it's easy to test, so maybe try it and see.

DOLMark · Answer

Hi&nbsp;&nbsp;So to summarise, as I understand it;&nbsp;- I can set the snapshots to "retain three months worth" and not worry about the disk filling as this is actually "retain up to three months worth if disk space allows. if it doesn't trim oldest snapshots"&nbsp;- Windows knows how to do a "view previous versions" function. &nbsp;That's cool - Sorry I'm a Mac user :-)&nbsp;- Thinking that the simplest way to handle the rsync is put it in a sub-directory itself, and sync to that. &nbsp;So the share will look like;&nbsp;SHARE\backups\users-stuffSHARE\snapshot\&nbsp;Which should also keep them happy.

StephenB · Answer

DOLMark wrote:
&nbsp;
I can set the snapshots to "retain three months worth" and not worry about the disk filling as this is actually "retain up to three months worth if disk space allows. if it doesn't trim oldest snapshots"
&nbsp;

I think of the 90% auto-trim as a "circuit breaker" that protects my NAS from overload. &nbsp;I don't think it's wise to use it routinely.
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If you set up email alerts (which you should) you will get emails as the volume fills. &nbsp;I think it's better to trim the retention back if you are finding that the snapshots are taking too much space.
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DOLMark wrote:
&nbsp;
SHARE\backups\users-stuff
SHARE\snapshot\
&nbsp;

I'm not getting this organization, but if it works for your users then it's likely fine.

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Rsync Remote to local readynas with snapshots on share

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