Backing up NAS to the cloud

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Lizard1977

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#214175 1-May-2017 11:18

I have a single-bay QNAP NAS (TS-112) that I want to back up in its entirety to a cloud backup service. I had been planning to use Crashplan, but when I went to set that up this weekend the Crashplan app available through QNAP's App Centre didn't want to work. I tried removing and reinstalling the app, only to find that the app isn't available anymore. I can't find any information explaining why it's not available, but have to assume that it's not working anymore.

So my issue is this:

1. Is there a way to easily backup the entire NAS to Crashplan? As far as I can work out, the only way I can do this now is to mirror the files on a local PC and back up through the PC (which kind of defeats the purpose of having a NAS).

2. If it's not possible to do this via a QNAP NAS, can anyone recommend a different NAS brand that would allow direct backup to Crashplan?

Or, is there an alternative (equally good as Crashplan) that will back up from QNAP? I could see apps for Elephant Drive and IDrive, but neither of those looked as good as CP.

Dynamic

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#1773318 1-May-2017 11:23

Potential workaround:

https://support.code42.com/CrashPlan/4/Backup/Backing_Up_Files_From_A_Windows_Network_Drive

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richms

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#1773332 1-May-2017 11:47

I tried the crashplan headless on a nas setup and had no end of problems with it, looked like it worked when I backed a few things up but when putting the whole 3TB set to back up, nothing ever happened, service kept stopping etc - same crap that happens on a windows desktop but no idea what is going on other than seeing the desktop app not connecting and having no idea why.

The drive letter thing "works" but unless you dont have many things running out of drive letters is a problem. Also they seem to randomly disconnect and then the app will show that annoying syncronizing block information thing for days at a time when it comes right.

Richard rich.ms

Lizard1977

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#1773334 1-May-2017 11:51

Sounds like CP is a bit of a headache? Is there a better alternative service?

MackinNZ

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#1773338 1-May-2017 11:56

I backup my QNAP NAS to my Azure storage account using the Azure Storage App.

It works very well. I don't have a huge amount of stuff on my NAS (GB's rather than TB's) but no issues.

Benoire

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#1773339 1-May-2017 11:58

I use AMazon Drive with Synology's Hyper Backup app to upload all as a versioned controlled bunch of files... Will deal with incremental changes too so once upload is complete, upload changes are minor. Does QNAP offer something similar?

Yoban

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#1773344 1-May-2017 12:03

I am running amazon cloud drive on my Netgear Readynas 314, successfully. Do note this is more of a replicate rather than a back up.

A quick hunt around around found this http://docs.qnap.com/nas/4.1/Home/en/cloud_backup.htm and also https://www.qnap.com/solution/hybrid-backup-sync/en/

Benoire

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#1773346 1-May-2017 12:06

Yoban:

I am running amazon cloud drive on my Netgear Readynas 314, successfully. Do note this is more of a replicate rather than a back up.

A quick hunt around around found this http://docs.qnap.com/nas/4.1/Home/en/cloud_backup.htm and also https://www.qnap.com/solution/hybrid-backup-sync/en/

The Hybrid backup app looks similar to what I use and Amazon Cloud Drive has no trouble with that. Currently uplaoding at 600 kb/s (max line speed) so no throttleing for me yet.

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robjg63

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#1773364 1-May-2017 12:15

What about google drive - is that an option?

I have a QNAP TS-231 which I am going to start using soon and I figured that google drive - which is supported would be as good as any. I am looking at the QNAP as a storage for digital files. Content will be added each month (and removed) so figured it would just be a replication onto a google drive account.

Looks like around $15 a month per TB

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Benoire

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#1773365 1-May-2017 12:16

I went Amazon over Google or OneDrive as its $100 for the entire year with unlimited storage.

davidcole

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#1773374 1-May-2017 12:25

I use Crashplan with a FreeNas. There can be issues getting it to run headless, but with appropriate firewall rules you can get it going. Of course you're dependent on the package maintainer for your platform

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Lizard1977

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#1773576 1-May-2017 15:16

Thanks for all the replies.

Some of the services suggested are interesting, but they generally look more business-focussed with a per GB charge to upload and a charge to download. Also, I'm starting to see a distinction between cloud storage vs cloud backup. Crashplan make this distinction on their website, and maybe it's just a marketing point, but I'm wary of relying on cloud storage for backup. I already use Onedrive and this is factored into my broader plans for data management and backup, but I'm using it principally as an "availability" tool - making documents accessible anywhere. Any redundancy it provides is secondary, and hence my desire to use something like Crashplan as a total backup source.

Comparing prices for cloud backup services, CP still seems to be the best bet for me - the $12.5/month plan gives me unlimited storage for up to 10 devices backed up. IDrive or Elephant Drive, which are supported on QNAP NAS, are cheaper but top out at 1TB, and moving up to larger limits drastically increases the price.

It looks like the suggestion from @Dynamic might be worth a look though. Despite CP saying that it can't backup a mapped network drive, it looks like this is possible if the app is installed on a per user basis in W10. "For the CrashPlan app version 4.3 and later, you can install the CrashPlan app per user. This installation allows you to add the mapped drive to your backup file selection just as you would any other drive." I'll have a look tonight.

chevrolux

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#1773637 1-May-2017 16:10

For whats its worth...

We backup our office FreeNAS box to Amazon S3. And then S3 archives older backups to Glacier. No idea what it currently costs as seems to change fairly regurlary as we add/remove different services all over the place... will have to go and look at the billing report...

1101

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#1774052 2-May-2017 09:58

https://www.qnap.com/solution/cloud_backup/en-au/