Expert opinion on external backup.

[waytoosmall]

Hello all, need some help. I'm looking for an external storage system that is raid 1 capable. This is for backup at a business so I want to make sure I get something very good and reliable. I've looked at the ones that are expandable, like that have 4 bays, and that would be great. We will start out with 1 terabyte then increase as needed. In terms of interface, I would want eSata at least. I was also thinking that a NAS interface might be good, but we do not have a network setup where this will be. Do you need a router for a nas, or can you just use a switch? With no internet access in the building yet, we don't have a router, but if I need one to plug a NAS into, as long as it doesn't have to have internet access, I'm down. Thank you for the assistance.

 

[Hefemeister]

To be honest I do not like a raid1 array as a backup array.
I would want the raid1 or raid5 array on the server for protection against hardware failure.

Next I like rotating hard drives. At least 3. One for a Mon, Wed, Fri. and one for Tue, Thur. and one to be rotated out weekly to an offsite location .

Ideally you want 6 drives one for each workday and one to rotate offsite.

Edit:
Here is a system that I have sued and find very nice to use with hotswap drives.
High-Rely Systems Makes Hot-Swappable Hard Drive Backup Systems. Fast (eSATA USB). Reliable. Cost Effective. RAIDFrame FirstRAID

They do have removable raid1 arrays as well if you want to go that route.

 

[waytoosmall]

Thank you for the response. I guess I should have clarified. This is for a studio that is just starting up. We are backing up our recordings. And we don't want to spend more than ~$500. I was thinking like 250 to 300 for the enclosure and then 2 --1 terabyte drives for around 100 a piece. That system you recomended is awesome but a little sophisticated for us at this point. I junt need a simple external enclosure with redundancy that is well known and reliable. Thank you.

 

[Hefemeister]

qnap is one of the best external enclosure companies and worth a look at.
Newegg.com - QNAP TS-209 Pro II Diskless System All-in-one NAS Server for SMB,SOHO and Home Users - Network Storage (NAS)
throw in a couple of wd green 1tb drives.

or you could buy 2 1tb external drives and swap them periodically.

Keep in mind these are not my specialty so do some further research.