Network Attached Storage - options?

I am looking to improve my back up situation atm (I have run out of space on my 500gb external drive).

Have had a quick look at NAS as it seems to be the ideal solution but I would like some feedback from folk who use it.

Not requiring it to be a media centre or do anything fancy - just to be a back up solution (preferably automatic as well so SWMBO doesn't have to remember to back her stuff up).

Also thinking about 2TB to future proof it a bit. And should mention its for 2 computers (one laptop and one tower).

Any ideas/feedback/bargain​s?

Fire can destroy a NAS, offsite backup is preferable.

2TB isn't very big these days, but I guess will be good enough for many people.

Search for NAS on newegg and read the review.

Hi

I've run a few NAS on my network over time but am far from experienced. Currently I have a DLINK ShareCentre 2gb (Raid 1) setup. I use the NAS as a backup only, not seeking to access files to work on in real time. With all NASs on my home network, cant say I've been impressed to date (regretted each purchase).

The key issue I have is the NAS seems to 'drop off' the network when transferring large numbers of files when connected wirelessly (while my network maintained full signal strength etc). Hence when doing a copy-paste of my images (around 80gb) for a backup the files wont all copy. On the occasion I have resorted to using a 32gb memory card to transfer the files. [once the files are on the system, tools like SyncToy seem to run ok as they only need to move small amounts of data]

Another issue IMO is that it appears you can't encrypt the data on a NAS (as per my internet searching and reading of the TruCrypt manual) nor can you install a HDD password. You can still however encrypt data that flows wirelessly via your router setup. Naturally this is only an issue if you are concerned that somebody will break in and steal your data. For me, this means I don't use a NAS to back up my tax records or other data that can be used for identity theft.

A third issue that may apply to you (it certainly does me), I enjoy USB v3 file transfer which is very quick and now am dissapointed when waiting on the comparitevly slow speed of the NAS to transfer data. For info, my network is IEEE a/b/g/n so is the current standard. Perhaps I compare the technologies unfairly.

As you can tell, I haven't got an IT background but hope my experience may assist. For the future, ill look to run with the external HDD.

Cheers

...

For a cheap, simple, hard disk-on-network type of backup I use WD MyBook Live.

Of course it does not have RAID, but it is a very easy, simple NAS to use and fairly cheap. I use Windows 7 backup and Time Machine backup to the MyBook Live for the computers in my home. Just think of it as external HD connected to network (vs USB/Firewire/eSATA) and can be shared by everyone in your home.

However if you want redundancy or expandability, look at QNAP or Synology NAS. Those even have 8 bays for your HD.

sanadi wrote in post #14166723
For a cheap, simple, hard disk-on-network type of backup I use WD MyBook Live.

Of course it does not have RAID, but it is a very easy, simple NAS to use and fairly cheap. I use Windows 7 backup and Time Machine backup to the MyBook Live for the computers in my home. Just think of it as external HD connected to network (vs USB/Firewire/eSATA) and can be shared by everyone in your home.

However if you want redundancy or expandability, look at QNAP or Synology NAS. Those even have 8 bays for your HD.

I looked into these awhile back and found they have some nice features. Most of the features of a larger NAS but at nearly the price of just the harddrive. I haven't seen WD's version in action but Seagate's remote access is pretty nice, pull your files down from anyware. It was fast enough to stream music too (good connections on both ends). Also I believe that both options (WD & Seagate) allowed for expandability by simply plugging any USB hard drive into the rear USB port of the first connected to your router.

If I don't build a full blown home server I plan to get one of these options and an enclosure with a few bays attached via USB. Stuff I need/access regularly will be on the first drive and actual long term storage will be on the secondary attached drives.

I also strongly recommend offsite storage also, doesn't have to be a active drive. I have a internal HD in a plastic protector that I bring home occasionally and backup my drives. I would hate to have a flood, fire or power surge that kills my drives and I lose close to 12 years of memories with all my photos.

NAS is good, off site is better. Crashplan offers off-site backup for free (off-site to another computer on your network or at a computer at remote location, like your office or a friends house).

For my NAS backup, I run an old Synology DS108j with two attached USB drives. Windows backs up the folders I select to one of the USB drives attached to the NAS. The nice thing about this solution is that the USB drives are USB2, not the fastest, but it doesn't make much of a difference since it's NAS storage, so tranfer/read-write speeds aren't important.