Snapshot replication, , Hyper Backup Shared Folder Sync or DriveShare Sync for active backup / user files?

[Operations8]

I am looking for the most common way to replicate files between two synology's.

I know all the ways will work but, there most be pro's/cons and sort of common practice.. right?

First "set" of data: Active backup files (from my esx server)

Second "set" of data: My own users files. documents, photo's, software etc.

I know that only DriveShare Sync is 2-way... right? but that isn't a must have for me.

I am thinking to use replication for First set of data. and hyper backup for the second set. But this isn't based on anything. That is why i am wondering what you guys/girls do.

Both NAS systems are at the same location for the time being. This might change in the future, maybe this changes things?

 

[Rusty]

Welcome.

Have you considered using Snapshot Replication tool? You haven't listed what models are in questions, but if these are models that support it, it might be one way of doing it.

 

[Operations8]

Welcome.

Have you considered using Snapshot Replication tool? You haven't listed what models are in questions, but if these are models that support it, it might be one way of doing it.

Thanks

I apologize i meant snapshot replication when i said files replication.

So yes snapshot replication is an option. I was thinking of using that for the first data set.

But my gut tells me this option is not intended for documents , photos etc. Because these files are often static (dont change much). I think something that only sync changes would be better then. But like i said only a gut feeling...

 

[Rusty]

Because these files are often static (dont change much)

While that is true, SR will not replicate data that has not changed, that is in fact the whole point.

Sure, you could look into some other platforms/apps on the NAS to minimize the "stres" on the SR bit (like Hyper Backup for data that does not change often), but with SR you will for sure have a piece of mind as everything that does change will indeed be replicated.

Also if you are looking for a 2way sync then SR is not the right tool, and you will indeed have to set this up via other app that you have already mentioned.

 

[Operations8]

While that is true, SR will not replicate data that has not changed, that is in fact the whole point.

Sure, you could look into some other platforms/apps on the NAS to minimize the "stres" on the SR bit (like Hyper Backup for data that does not change often), but with SR you will for sure have a piece of mind as everything that does change will indeed be replicated.

Also if you are looking for a 2way sync then SR is not the right tool, and you will indeed have to set this up via other app that you have already mentioned.

Ah i thought snapshot replication took all the files everytime. That way i wouldn't have enough space on the backup syno for 7 times the replication. (7 snapshots)

But if that is not the case, the best way to go is then to just use SR for both my data sets right?

I looked it up, in case of recovery you can easily share the replicated folders on the backup syno right?

 

[Rusty]

But if that is not the case, the best way to go is then to just use SR for both my data sets right?

Yes

I looked it up, in case of recovery you can easily share the replicated folders on the backup syno right?

Not sure what you mean, but the replicated data set will be in read only mode on the backup side. Only after you a) terminate replication or b) do a switchover (change role) will the "backup" side be read/write. Not sure if this was your question.

 

[Operations8]

Yes


Not sure what you mean, but the replicated data set will be in read only mode on the backup side. Only after you a) terminate replication or b) do a switchover (change role) will the "backup" side be read/write. Not sure if this was your question.

Apologize for not being clear: What i meant was, if primary syno breaks down. I buy a new one or repair it.. after that i can easily copy the files from the backup syno through SMB (a normal shared folder) right?

Never will the backup syno have to act as primary (so having to write is not necessary) in my case. I will also want to get the files back on to a primary syno.

I can look and open the files on the backup syno at any time right?

 

[Rusty]

Apologize for not being clear: What i meant was, if primary syno breaks down. I buy a new one or repair it.. after that i can easily copy the files from the backup syno through SMB (a normal shared folder) right?

Never will the backup syno have to act as primary (so having to write is not necessary) in my case. I will also want to get the files back on to a primary syno.

I can look and open the files on the backup syno at any time right?

Well the answer is yes and no.

As I said if the replication is setup, as long as it is active the backup side will be "read only". But if the main unit goes down, you can terminate the replication from the backup side and continue to use the data on that device.

Once you repair the main NAS (or get a new one), you can after that transfer the data over using SMB, SR or any other number of ways of course. So, no, you will not have to use the backup NAS as a "primary" one if you so choose to.

 

[Operations8]

Well the answer is yes and no.

As I said if the replication is setup, as long as it is active the backup side will be "read only". But if the main unit goes down, you can terminate the replication from the backup side and continue to use the data on that device.

Once you repair the main NAS (or get a new one), you can after that transfer the data over using SMB, SR or any other number of ways of course. So, no, you will not have to use the backup NAS as a "primary" one if you so choose to.

Okee as long as i can always reach the data on the backup unit (without primariy) unit. Not that it is stuck in some sort of syno software thingy

 

[Rusty]

Okee as long as i can always reach the data on the backup unit (without primariy) unit. Not that it is stuck in some sort of syno software thingy

Unlike HB's default format, SR will not keep it in a proprietary format, so you have nothing to worry about it.

 

[Operations8]

Unlike HB's default format, SR will not keep it in a proprietary format, so you have nothing to worry about it.

Would be a bit of a bummer, if when i really need it something would be in the way then

 

[Operations8]

@Rusty, ok i have set this up (SR) one thing i noticed, it is only doing it at about 150MB/s. The Syno's are directy connected by 10Gbit. Only ideas why it is not going any faster?

Syno's both show 10000Mbps in network and are set to MTU 9000. Current tasks is set to 4.

 

[Rusty]

@Rusty, ok i have set this up (SR) one thing i noticed, it is only doing it at about 150MB/s. The Syno's are directy connected by 10Gbit. Only ideas why it is not going any faster?

Syno's both show 10000Mbps in network and are set to MTU 9000. Current tasks is set to 4.

I would say that is almost normal. Multiple backup tools perform differently so this is nothing out of the ordinary.

My recent 10G tests with multiple 10G devices using all of backup tools and pure smb, all performed differently with same data sample and hw.

So in short, do not expect full 10G speed even in f you have the drive speeds and 10G capability. The limiting factor in the end will be the backup platform.

Have a look in this article to get the idea of what I mean

Synology RS2423+ - Part 2 Backup and restore

Part 2 of the Synology RS2423+ review focuses on backup tools and the overall performance of this NAS in various scenarios.

www.blackvoid.club

 

[Operations8]

I would say that is almost normal. Multiple backup tools perform differently so this is nothing out of the ordinary.

My recent 10G tests with multiple 10G devices using all of backup tools and pure smb, all performed differently with same data sample and hw.

So in short, do not expect full 10G speed even in f you have the drive speeds and 10G capability. The limiting factor in the end will be the backup platform.

Have a look in this article to get the idea of what I mean

Synology RS2423+ - Part 2 Backup and restore

Part 2 of the Synology RS2423+ review focuses on backup tools and the overall performance of this NAS in various scenarios.

www.blackvoid.club

Thanks for the link. Clear now i shouldnt expect 10Gbit speeds

I am a bit in doubt when it comes to number of snapshots to keep / days. I will let the backup syno auto start on saturday 23.00. the snapshot wil start at 23.15. The backup syno will shut down at 01.00.
So onces a week. Since it is the backup i am thinking keeping 3 snapshots is enough, but normally when it comes to backups i uses "days".

Would do you use? / What would you do in my use case?

 

[Rusty]

Would do you use? / What would you do in my use case?

I use daily backups but no devices are turned off. This is definitely up to you and your needs/schedule.

 

[Operations8]

I use daily backups but no devices are turned off. This is definitely up to you and your needs/schedule.

Rusty, i have setup the backup syno to turn on at wednesday 14.30 . But i cannot set SR to a specific time, i can only set it do daily. Do you know if SR wil automatisch start when backup syno is powered on?

 

[Rusty]

Rusty, i have setup the backup syno to turn on at wednesday 14.30 . But i cannot set SR to a specific time, i can only set it do daily. Do you know if SR wil automatisch start when backup syno is powered on?

Hi there. Guessing you are talking about remote replication (or local replication from one volume to another), in any event, you can set the frequency and start time.

So if you configure it to "daily" at 10pm you can use the frequency drop down and from there choose more options. It will allow up to a maximum (or minimum how you look at it) of 5min between replication jobs.

Or you can choose the default 1,2,3,4,5,6,12h time frequency from the main menu.

The point is if you want every day, daily, then just select all the days, set the time in the "first run time", and leave the frequency to "every day". This will run replication one time daily at the exact time.

 

[7Natives]

I am looking for the most common way to replicate files between two synology's.
(snip)

Both NAS systems are at the same location for the time being. This might change in the future, maybe this changes things?

Fwiw, we use the Synology Drive package set for this very task. We set it up in one location then moved one of the NAS's. It works great, does 2-way sync cross-country in < 1-sec, and is pretty easy to setup.

 

[Operations8]

@Rusty is there a reason NOT to use SR over the internet to an offside synology?

 

[Rusty]

@Rusty is there a reason NOT to use SR over the internet to an offside synology?

I use it in one case like that with Site-to-Site VPN on top of it. Works fine. for DR scenario where a remote location is your DR, this type of replication works. The only issue here is link saturation (you need to control that), and stability of the link. If those 2 elements are under control/stable, I see no reason not to use if you have remote SR compatible Syno NAS