Data Backup and Server Functionality

Now that everyone is getting laptops, and ditching your desktops... what kind of solution are you using for data backup? For that matter, what are you doing about your bit torrent downloads... ? Leaving your laptops on 24/7?

The reason I say this is because I find myself helping people who have lost all their data in a hard drive crash all the time, and that is why I want to share a solution to all of these issues with you.

First thing first, data backup happens when it is REAL easy, as easy as copying, and doesn't when the user has to do something physical. We all like to say we will backup onto DVDs or something, but how often does it happen?

That is why I recommend getting a good NAS. In this case, one that can manage your bit torrent downloads without you leaving your computer on. Here's some URLs:

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0..._featured_nas/
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Synol...search=DS-106e

There are a lot of good NAS out there. I have experience with the Buffalo Linkstations myself, having set this solution up at friends houses... but to have one that handles Bit Torrent... oh yeah baby.

Next, that is only a one HD solution, and won't actually backup data all by itself (won't store it either if you don't buy a compatible hard drive... so check the Synology website). But... for redundancy, pick up an external USB hard drive that is as big as the one in the Synology... or one that is bigger (to make sure you never run out of space on your backup drive).

You can then configure the Synology to copy the contents of your NAS to the USB drive on a nightly basis. That way, if the Synology ever dies, you will be up to date as of the previous night on your USB drive. You simply unplug it from the NAS and plug it into your computer, and there are all your files. If the USB drive ever dies, you still have them on the Synology. This gives you most of the benefits of RAID, but is only up to date via the night before... but has the advantage of being two distinct pieces of hardware (I had a RAID-based NAS once, and instead of a hard drive dying, I had the NAS screw up and wipe BOTH of the hard drives that were in it, so anymore I don't use RAID-based NASes, I make sure that I have two distinct pieces of hardware, that way there is no one single point of failure anywhere).

To make it even easier to use, if you are using XP pro then you can redirect your My Documents folder to a folder on the NAS, and make that folder available offline. This will make it so that all of your "My Documents" items are stored, by default, on the NAS, but that they are mirrored on your laptop, that way you don't even have to remember to backup that folder.

Anyway... just a thought. And heck, since you are all using laptops with wireless connections... if you own a home you can do something REALLY cool.

What do I mean? This...

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0...rown_networks/

While those examples are for wired networks... you can get a plastic electrical box to put in your wall (that way it won't interfere with wireless signals). You can then run a power strip into it... or better yet, put a UPS in there.

I mean, if you take an electrical box like that above, made out of plastic so you don't interfere with wireless signals, then put a good wireless router, your cable/dsl modem, NAS, and USB drive in there... you have everything setup in one closet, inside your walls, and don't have to have a SINGLE PC component hanging out on your floor or shoved in a corner (like most broadband routers tend to be). Fancy, eh?

Oh, and if you are worried about cooling, cut holes in the top and bottom of the wiring closet and hook up some PC fans (that blow air up so you don't blow dust in as it settles), and you can even get some airflow going. Sure you will need an adapter of some sort to hook them up to a standard power outlet, one of those mini-PC power adapters will likely work... but it won't take up much power at all since you are just using it to power fans.

Now... since the NAS has a media server in it... you can use something like this with it:

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/1...tainer_review/

Have the NAS running and hook one of those up to your TV, and blammo. You can watch your videos on your home entertainment system, instead of your laptop, without having to burn the files to VCDs or something else. Pretty nifty.

Anyway... just a thought so that you can get REALLY setup, and not have to worry about losing your data.

 

good ideas. but since I dont have a need for hardcore critical backup I use a totally different approach. Of course most of all still have old desktops around that arent used anymore. I took an old 800 mhz/512m system and loaded it with a raid controller and 2 120GB hitachi drives. It sits right inside my attic next to my wireless router. I have a share to a folder where all my backups go. This way I can backup on the fly, and my total out of pocket cost is really cheap. On the go I do use a portable WD Passport USB drive. If there are files that I really must keep, pics of kids, family, tax returns, etc I use recordable media stored in a fireproof safe.

 

Yes, you could use a huge server... but that also takes up a lot of space and uses a LOT more power. Just the CPU alone will use more power than the NAS, USB drive, wireless setup, and broadband router, let alone what the system takes.

Not only that, but the amount of space taken up is also far higher.

I was mostly giving an EXTREMELY easy solution, that most anyone can setup, that will give you a decent amount of storage that almost any home user with half a clue can setup and truly use. Not only that, but it fits in with the whole low-power mobile laptop thing. <smiles>