simple off site backup solution ideas

[Flibb]

Has anybody setup a simple backup solution for files at an alternative address? I have been pondering getting a cheap NAS enclosure, sticking a spare HD in it, and setting it up at my parents. I have a spare DG834 laying around that I keep meaning to repalce their usb modem with, I could also auto backup their files to the drive (probably under a gig), and then copy them on to my rig. I was sort of put off cheap enclosures after having some drives die in them a few years ago. Just wondered what peoples thoughts are on this, and a resonable cheap NAS enclosure I could use, and how to set it up.

Cheers

[spoon_]

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[oolon]

A *nix system has a rather nice command on it call rsync, I believe it is also available for windows, if not cygwin would provide it. Rsync uses deltas so only files or infact changed parts of files are copied over the network, this would produce a lower load why to get your data across the network. cygwin allows you to setup ssh on a windows systems which is perfect for giving you a remote shell for copying files forwards and backwards.

[spoon_]

I don't recall rsync supporting SSH under Windows so that may or may not be a good idea.

Nevertheless rsync is a good idea, combined with FreeNAS might worth out for you.

[Flibb]

I have enede up buying a couple of NAS enclosures, one is up and running, the other might turn in to a mod project with a full linux instal.

The first one is a Zyxel nsa210, first impression are very favourable, took a few minutes to get running at home (not off site yet), havent decided on what backup software to use yet, but have had a quick play with Comodo backup. The one thing i wish the nsa210 had is WOL, but it does have a simple power manager with scheduled on and off times.

[peterb]

Don't forget that the speed will be limited by the upload speed of your ADSL. Does the offsite storage have to be online?

You might also consider iSCSI

There is an article here about using rsync and ssh on a windows machine. (quite old, but may give you some ideas).

Otherwise you could set up a Vlan between the two machines (or the two routers if they support it) and just sync files across that.