Buying a backup nas

[Enquiries]

I currently have the qnap TS 464 with 4 8 GB drives in a raid 5 configuration for a total storage of 24 gb. I'm thinking about buying the qnap TS262 with two 10 GB drives in a RAID 0 configuration to be used off site as a backup. I currently use about 3/4 of the storage available to me and don't anticipate that increasing drastically over the next few years. It's a good idea?

[ed]

Thanks for your message! Your current setup with the QNAP TS-464 sounds solid, and considering a backup solution is a smart move.

The QNAP TS-262 with two 10TB drives in a RAID 0 configuration can be a good option for an off-site backup, but there are a few things to consider:

RAID 0 Configuration: While RAID 0 offers increased performance and full utilization of the available storage (in your case, 20TB), it doesn’t provide any redundancy. This means if one drive fails, you’ll lose all your data. Since this NAS will be your backup, make sure to have a reliable backup strategy in place, perhaps keeping another copy of your most critical data elsewhere.

Storage Needs: Since you currently use about 18TB of your 24TB on the TS-464, the 20TB from the TS-262 should be sufficient for your backup needs. However, keep in mind that RAID 0 does not provide extra space for future growth, so if you anticipate needing more space in the coming years, you might want to consider a different RAID configuration, like RAID 1, which provides redundancy but halves your storage capacity.

Off-Site Backup: Having an off-site backup is an excellent practice for data protection, especially against potential disasters like fire or theft at your primary location. Just ensure that you have a good method for transferring your data to the backup NAS, whether that's over the internet or through periodic physical transfers.

In summary, if you’re comfortable with the risks of RAID 0 and your current storage needs fit well within the TS-262's capacity, then it’s a good idea. Just keep your data redundancy strategy in mind!