Beginners NAS question...

H

hiodie

Gawd
Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
900
Okay...so my laptop's HD crashed this morning...not even recognized in the BIOS, and it made me want to actually get on the ball about getting a backup solution implemented. I don't know where to post it, but I just want to set up a network storage drive that both my desktop & laptop will sync with (preferrably on an automatic schedule). Not really sure if I need to back up more than just my docs folder or if it is worthwhile to have a backup of the entire drive.

Kind of hoping someone could point me somewhere to find some more information on how to do it and whether or not would just be easier to buy a pre-packaged solution rather than making one. I can usually find the answers I need, but I'm still not extremely networking/programming literate (as far as knowing what different protocols are and such). Thanks!
 
What OS's do you run?
What is your budget?
Do you want this to do anything other than Backups? like stream media, etc.?
 
OS: Vista HP 32-bit (but desktop will probably go 64-bit before the end of the year)
Budget: <$200 (it doesn't really doesn't need to have very much room, as 1 TB would hold both drives completely. desktop: 640GB, notebook: 160GB
Options: streaming would be nice, but I would need to invest some in my home theater before it would really be useful. Right now lets just do backup only. Thanks.
 
And I'm not sure what is an easier set up, but I have a old system that won't really be used. 2.8 P4, 1.5GB ram, 40GB HD (i think?). It using an Antec TruBlue 480W psu from about 6 years ago, so I may want to buy something more efficient if its going to be on all of the time.
 
Well for less than $200 your going to be hard pressed to find a 1TB NAS for less that. you could just buy Acronis True Image software and install to your desktop, and buy a 1.5TB drive to add to the desktop and do your backups to that.
 
Having it on my desktop would be better than an independant solution (I see i would need to spend closer to $300 for a 1TB networked drive)?
 
are you wired or wireless?? you have 2 cheap options. the first is easier and cheaper. get 2 external drives. Most come with backup software (if not there are tons of it out there). that way you have separate backups and you can get a very small sized external drive so space wont be an issue. if you have a lan you can always get a network nas.same principle, although more expensive for the hardware. id get a double drive system. use one for backup/one for storage or mirror the drives if things are that important.
 
USB or NAS = Sloooow backups. Use E-Sata external drive and Acronis. Actually any good backup software will do. I like Acronis because you can restore to a different computer if necessary. Run a few mock disaster recovery scenarios before you start putting your critical data on the drive. Set up your back up schedule to meet your data recovery needs.

A good E-Sata case the Venus DS3(USB,E-Sata connections) approx $45
WD Green Power(less heat, less power) 1TB drive approx $150.

With this setup I raid 0 all my drives, and do a full back-up 5 days a week before I turn my computer off in approx 30 minutes on +-200GB .. Complete overkill but I have a 5 day restore point. Takes about 35-40 minutes to rebuild my machine from a failed drive.
 
Old 2.8 P4 system + new larger hard drive, 640gb-1tb ($75-130) + WHS ($150)?

Automated backups
Streaming
Full server OS
Remote connection
Easily expandable, just add more hard drives later
 
Okay, I actually just got WHS 2008 from Freebies forum, and I will play with that when I have a bit more time (probably a few weeks). I will let you know if you have any more questions. Thanks everyone
 
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