Automated differential backups on 5200?

[VornHune]

Does someone know of a back-up solution that would run natively on a 5200 that would take one folder/array and create automatic differential backups in another location on the same box? I'm looking at recommending a 5200/5200 pro for a friends office. That will cover hardware failures, but they have also had some problems with employees accidentally deleting files that they thought they had other copies of..... I also want the software self contained, otherwise I'm sure the owner of the host pc will somehow mess it up.

Thanks very much in advance,
Nate

[Itlan]

Im not sure thats the smartest idea. Keeping double copies of files on the same NAS doesnt provide you safe backup support. It might from users deleting files but not from hardware failures. The 5200's have a history of raid degredation, multi drive collapse losing all data or other issues etc.

Your better off if you really need to backup and protect the data using Nsync and having it do backups to a second NAS or server.

Rsync can also be used to automate backups and if your heart is set on doing local backups and your gonna trust the Thecus not to fail then I think that is your best bet. Im not a Rsync guru but dont see why it couldnt be used to copy files to another location on the same Raid.

[VornHune]

Thanks. I was not aware rsync did incremental backups, but I see there are several scripts available on the rsync pages to do just that. The rotating backups are just to address the user failure mode. I was not aware of the 5200's reputation for hardware failures. Is there perhaps a different Thecus model I should be looking at? Perhaps using an external drive connected through the USB or eSATA port would reduce the risk somewhat?

Thanks again, I have something to start with now.
Nate