Hi All, I am looking for a better way to backup my various computers on my home network. Currently I am using the following devices at home:
2 desktop PCs
1) Older gaming pc/workstation (Primary Storage)- Win 7 - primarily used for photo editing. approximately 2TB of photos/documents that i would like to backup (im an amateur photographer)
2) Windows Media Center PC - Win 7 - No backups needed on this computer, but its ALWAYS ON and has room for some HDD(s). May consider using this as a file server and using some backup software?
2 Laptops:
1) my laptop (Primary use) -Win 8- This is my newest computer and am using it for most tasks including photography. Has a 1TB onboard HDD so no more than 1TB of backup. Currently has 100GB used which needs to be backed up.
2) my wifes laptop -Win7- This computer is used by my wife for photo editing etc. Has a 1TB HDD. Currently 250GB used (estimate) that needs to be backed up.
2 iphones (one 32gb one 64gb)
Networking is done via an Asus AC68U which supports one usb 3.0 and one usb 2.0. I also have a large gigabit switch with 24 ports. Approximately 10 are currently used to distribute ethernet around the house. Most ports aren't used and are available if needed.
I am currently backing up my primary desktop using crashplan onto a internal 2TB HDD. I feel this is "better than nothing" but not very good. My priority is backing up photos & video (photos represent 95% of my usage). Music, documents etc. also would be nice, but are not my priority. Software, windows files, etc. are my lowest priority.
Ideally i would like a system that auto-backs up constantly OR pulls data multiple times per day. I looked into a cloud storage system (Amazon Photos - free w/ prime) but I have ~2TB to transfer and have a 250GB bandwidth cap. Per comcast, every 50gb over this is a extra $10 (plus it would take FOREVER). I looked into crash plan "seeding" with a 1TB HDD (maximum they offer) but i still would have to upload 1TB of data via the internet.
Right now I think I have the following options:
1) suck it up and do an internet transfer (or seeded transfer with crashplan) and pay the piper (expensive ($250 + 50/yr) but easy, no maintenance on my side)
2) Buy a couple of large backup drives (4TB/ RAID1) and throw it in my media center PC (windows 7, i3 processor w/onboard graphics, Asus MOBO- can lookup specifics if needed). Is there a good software package for this? this would likely be the cheapest option.
3) Buy a commercially available NAS like a Synology, QNAP, WD mybook and use that for storage. This is likely the "plug and play" option. I would probably go with a 4 bay for future expand-ability. I don't plan on doing much if any media streaming so i don't need a very fancy unit.
Budget is a concern, but not the main priority. I don't see spending less $300... but I don't plan on spending a fortune on this either.
2 desktop PCs
1) Older gaming pc/workstation (Primary Storage)- Win 7 - primarily used for photo editing. approximately 2TB of photos/documents that i would like to backup (im an amateur photographer)
2) Windows Media Center PC - Win 7 - No backups needed on this computer, but its ALWAYS ON and has room for some HDD(s). May consider using this as a file server and using some backup software?
2 Laptops:
1) my laptop (Primary use) -Win 8- This is my newest computer and am using it for most tasks including photography. Has a 1TB onboard HDD so no more than 1TB of backup. Currently has 100GB used which needs to be backed up.
2) my wifes laptop -Win7- This computer is used by my wife for photo editing etc. Has a 1TB HDD. Currently 250GB used (estimate) that needs to be backed up.
2 iphones (one 32gb one 64gb)
Networking is done via an Asus AC68U which supports one usb 3.0 and one usb 2.0. I also have a large gigabit switch with 24 ports. Approximately 10 are currently used to distribute ethernet around the house. Most ports aren't used and are available if needed.
I am currently backing up my primary desktop using crashplan onto a internal 2TB HDD. I feel this is "better than nothing" but not very good. My priority is backing up photos & video (photos represent 95% of my usage). Music, documents etc. also would be nice, but are not my priority. Software, windows files, etc. are my lowest priority.
Ideally i would like a system that auto-backs up constantly OR pulls data multiple times per day. I looked into a cloud storage system (Amazon Photos - free w/ prime) but I have ~2TB to transfer and have a 250GB bandwidth cap. Per comcast, every 50gb over this is a extra $10 (plus it would take FOREVER). I looked into crash plan "seeding" with a 1TB HDD (maximum they offer) but i still would have to upload 1TB of data via the internet.
Right now I think I have the following options:
1) suck it up and do an internet transfer (or seeded transfer with crashplan) and pay the piper (expensive ($250 + 50/yr) but easy, no maintenance on my side)
2) Buy a couple of large backup drives (4TB/ RAID1) and throw it in my media center PC (windows 7, i3 processor w/onboard graphics, Asus MOBO- can lookup specifics if needed). Is there a good software package for this? this would likely be the cheapest option.
3) Buy a commercially available NAS like a Synology, QNAP, WD mybook and use that for storage. This is likely the "plug and play" option. I would probably go with a 4 bay for future expand-ability. I don't plan on doing much if any media streaming so i don't need a very fancy unit.
Budget is a concern, but not the main priority. I don't see spending less $300... but I don't plan on spending a fortune on this either.