Time Backup worth using

[hiker1000]

I just want to get some opinions. Is it worth using the Time Backup software or is the Diskstation built in backup software sufficient?

[henkg]

It depends what your needs are.
To give you my opinion, based on my needs:
Backup the OS (image) of your computer to DS -> Something like Acronis True Image.
Backup important data on your computer to DS -> Data replicator 3 (or True Image)
Backup important DS static data -> Backup and restore (local backup, to DS or USB drive)
Backup important dynamic data -> Time Backup (TB: still in beta)
Backup to another server -> Backup and restore (network backup; Amazon S3)

Of course combinations are possible.
For my Documents share, including photos and my own videos, I use TB (to USB drive, daily, with smart recyle on)
For my music share I use Backup and restore (to USB drive, monthly)
For OS images of my computer(s) I use True Image (to DS, monthly)
For important data on my computer(s): I don't have any.
I do not backup my (large) video share. RAID1 will cover a HDD crash. If not, these files are replaceable.

To get back to Time Backup: this is the only standard option to have differential backups. You can fall back to any backupped previous version of a file. Other options will overwrite the previous backup.
I found it convenient to have all my dynamic data in one share, even my photos. My photo share only contains the photos for Photostation.
Because I do not fully rely on TB beta, I am making 'normal' backups also, with a much lesser frequency. Bear in mind that TB -depending on the DS model- will only allow 2 / 4 / 8 backup tasks.

Just try the options with a small source share, and make your own decision ....
(Writing this reply I realize I do not backup Photostation, Surveillance station, metadata yet)

[hiker1000]

Thanks for the great information. I am going to get an esata drive and format it as ext4 and then use Time Backup. I was testing EXT2read just to make sure that I can restore some of the data to my computer as well with the esata. I definitely want to go with the Differential backup for my photos and music.
I will probably do a full monthly backup to another hard drive that I will try and keep off site.

[RanXerox]

I reply to this post because I have a question about TimeBackup.

Is it possible to restore a TB backup to a crashed NAS ?
I mean. TB keep structure of it backup on NAS from the backup is, I think.
It is useful to restore a previous version of a file. But is it secure
if the NAS from the backup is, crash, and have to reinstall the system ?

New Nas will see the TB backup ?

I can, I know, do 1 normal backup too. But it will make me more hard drive space if TB backup is really secure
in case of NAS failure.

Thanks.

[Rancid]

it is possible to browse the files/folders directly on the destination device.
So if your DS crashed and needed to be fully rebuilt and then TB had no knowledge of a previous backup. You could just copy the files from the old TB backup to the live nas.

Mayube at a later date it will be possible to inventory a backup destination and pick up on previous TB jobs.

I just want to get some opinions. Is it worth using the Time Backup software or is the Diskstation built in backup software sufficient?

Ah well... horses for courses.
We use a 20TB 10 Disk Rack station for our main file share.
I use TB on the RS to backup to a 1511+ DS.
it backs up every hour.
it keeps backsup from the last 24 hour and then daily prior to that.

Prior to using TB I was looking at various other options including enterprise backup solutions.
So far none of them wanted to easily do what I required.

So at present i use TB to backup my shares from the RS to the DS.
I also use a peice of software called PHDVirtual to backup all my VM's nightly to the same DS 1511+

i sleep very well knowing i can easily restore any Server or File which is a far far dry from the system I inherited a few months back, which consisted of a document on how the backup was supposed to work and a cupboard full of tapes.

[RanXerox]

Thanks for the reply.

You said I can easily browse the files/folders on the backup disk.
Should I need to read them from a computer with can read ext4 ?

Not so simple if the DS1010+ I use crash to restore the datas.

[Rancid]

Thanks for the reply.

You said I can easily browse the files/folders on the backup disk.
Should I need to read them from a computer with can read ext4 ?

Not so simple if the DS1010+ I use crash to restore the datas.

Good question.