Backup data (photos, documents, Outlook PST files,...) from specific folders on PC, Notebook and Smartphone (Android based) to OMV within a home network automatically?

  • Hi,


    I'm still using OMV version 1.X and have the following hardware:
    - HP ProLiant MicroServer N54L
    - 1x Kingston SSD (OMV installed)
    - 2x Western Digital Caviar Green (WD15EARS-00Z) in RAID1


    Based on my understanding a version upgrade makes no sense,
    so I will do a clean reinstall of OMV using the latest version and use 2 new harddisks (most likely Western Digital Red) for the RAID1.


    Currently I've created some SMB shares and backup my data from PC, Notebook,... to OMV manually every couple of weeks via copy and paste only.



    What would be the best approach to backup data (photos, documents, Outlook PST files,...) from specific folders on PC, Notebook and Smartphone (Android based) to OMV within a home network automatically?
    Based on my understanding this should be one of the most basic and common tasks for a NAS despite from providing files and media within a network.
    The files should be stored in a non-prorietary format.


    However, there seems to be no simple and reliable solution at least for build your own NAS type of devices.


    Some people are using the available rsync plugin and versioning,
    however both machines must be powered on at the same time and there are some warnings that sync is not a backup.


    Some people are using Syncthing which is open source and even available for Android.
    However, even Syncthing claimes on there website that it's not recommended for backup puposes (https://docs.syncthing.net/users/faq.html:(


    - Should I use a 3rd party open software like Duplicati (no Android support)?


    - Should I use a commercial software like Acronis True Image 2018?


    - Should I buy a Synology DS218+ and install their Cloud Station Backup tool?


    ?(



    Thanks and best regards!

    • Offizieller Beitrag

    I use UrBackup to backup my clients (Windows10 and Linux) to the NAS. You can configure UrBackup to keep previous versions, so that you have a history. You can install UrBackup as a plugin or in Docker.
    urbackup.org


    You could also install Owncloud or Nextcloud and sync your devices to the NAS. But as you have mentioned this is not backup. So you would have to realize backup by copying the files from Nexcloud folder to another folder. If you do this by rsnapshot you can also keep different versions of the backup.


    I use Duplicati so backup data from my server to the cloud.


    Most likely you do not need RAID. Search the forum for "RAID is not backup".
    Better to use rsnapshot to copy data from drive 1 to drive 2.

  • Hi,


    first of all thanks for your reply!


    Is my understanding correct that you are using Duplicati for backup the files from the NAS to the cloud as it does support encryption whereas UrBackup doesn't?


    If yes, why are you not using Duplicati for both tasks (1. Backup PC -> NAS / 2. Backup NAS -> Cloud)?



    Thanks and best regards!

    • Offizieller Beitrag

    If yes, why are you not using Duplicati for both tasks (1. Backup PC -> NAS / 2. Backup NAS -> Cloud)?

    Partly due to historical reasons. Before Duplicati I was using UrBackup for local backup and CrashPlan for remote backup.
    Another reason is, that for the local backup I want to be able to access the files without additional software. UrBackup creates snapshots which are easy to browse.


    Duplicati cuts every file into pieces and safes them in an encrypted zip file (encrypted only if you want to). That is good for remote backup, but you need some additional software (duplicati or a shell script) in order to restore the files.


    Another advantage of UrBackup is, that it can create image backups of your drives (Windows, not available for Linux). With these images you can make a bare metal restore.

  • Hi,


    I've installed the UrBackup plugin on my NAS with OMV 4.1.3-1 and the UrBackup client on my PC.


    1.) The backup itself seems to be working fine as I can browse the files which have been backed up via the UrBackup web interface ("Backups" -> "Clients") when logging in as default user (=admin).
    I've also created a second user (=user) which can browse the files via the UrBackup web interface ("Backups" -> "Clients") as well.
    However, is it also possible to map the respective folder so that it can be accessed via the Windows Explorer?



    2.) It seems like UrBackup is creating the following "Backup storage path" automatically during the installation:
    "/media/BACKUP/urbackup"


    Is it possible to change this folder?
    How can I display and or access this folder via OMV and provide the content to the user?



    3.) What must be entered into the following field:
    "Server URL:"


    If I try to enter the IP address of my NAS with OMV installed I'm getting the following error message:
    "The server URL should be an URL starting with http:// or https://"


    However, as far as I know I don't have an URL starting with http:// or https:// for my NAS with OMV installed.





    Thanks and best regards!

  • One of the solution. Keep in mind, that this is "client" induced solution, not fully automatic, which is initialized by NAS itself.
    FreeFileSync (https://freefilesync.org/download.php) to create backup-pairs from desktop PC to OMV NAS (to shared folder).
    FolderSync (https://www.tacit.dk/foldersync/) for Android.


    Basically, both solutions are somehow "rsync-alike".


    You have to pair source folder with destination folder (it could be local, it could be remote via SFTP/FTP/SMB/cloud) and then select mode of backup: mirror, all-copy, 2way sync, etc.
    FreeFileSync let you create a batch file, which could be initiated by OS itself to run at specific time/repeat.



    The second solution would be - but this is only my guess, as I didn't have time to "poke" it - Remote Mount on OMV, to mount shared folders from desktop PC into NAS and then run simple rsync scheduled jobs.

    • Offizieller Beitrag

    2.) It seems like UrBackup is creating the following "Backup storage path" automatically during the installation:
    "/media/BACKUP/urbackup"


    Is it possible to change this folder?

    You can define the "Backup storage path" in the GUI of UrBackup server (--> Settings --> Server)

    How can I display and or access this folder via OMV and provide the content to the user?

    You can configure the client software so that users are able to restore their data.


    Restoring should be the only use case for users to access their backup.

    3.) What must be entered into the following field:
    "Server URL:"

    AFAIK only needed for internet backup. Not needed when you are on the same network.


    Check the manual for UrBackup:
    http://www.urbackup.org/administration_manual.html


    UrBackup also has its own forum.

  • When it comes to backing up important data, I love to use an another software solution like Acronis, for a good example. Acronis is used by many entrepreneurs and they have cyber protection and hybrid cloud storage.


    Acronis is not cheap, but there are ways to save money to be able to get the software.


    You can visit link to get more Information about the way how to get legit coupon codes, to be able to save money buying acronis. They have other backup software solutions too, like Easeus and Carbonite.


    Surely they will help you with that, because you can make a very secure backup.

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