RAID 1 or just Auto 'Backup'?

[Torand]

So I've just bought a Synology DS213J + 2x2TB WD RED's.

 

I haven't got the money yet for a server build, will do hopefully soon, but this solution (the DS213J) was simply meant to be a small AIO package. I can just leave it next to my router, etc.. and leave stuff on it.

 

 

 

So, the main question;

 

- RAID 1: Drives are mirrored, 2TB total capacity, one drive fails - i still have a "backup" (mirror) of the original drive.

 

- Backup: Have access to all 4TB, BUT have one drive (Vol~1) as the storage drive (so still really only 2TB avail. like R1) and the other drive (Vol~2) just setup to automatically backup whatever is on Vol~1.

 

 

 

Either way seems good to me, at least with the backup idea, there wont be any raid calculations and they will both be in normal file systems.

 

...and before anyone says something along the lines of "It's not a true backup, have a copy off site, etc.." I get it. But i'm simply on about making sure I have more than one copy of my data, as a normal backup would suggest and this question should be taken in that context.

 

 

 

Thoughts?

[Thermite]

I'd say raid one unless you plan to fill up more than 2 TB's

[SSOB]

Raid 1 for convenience

[olan1225]

I would say that it depends on how much data you have that you need backups of. If you have 1,5 Tb of films/tv-series, that you don't really care if you loose because you can replace it easily, and also have 50 gb of irreplaceable photos that you really want backups of then it is probably smarter to go without RAID and just have all your photos on both drives. This results in you only loose 50 gb of space since the photos are on both drives and can use every other available disc space for not so important things. 

 

On the other hand if all your data is in need of backups then is is probably easier to just run in RAID 1. 

[wpirobotbuilder]

I would automatically back up. It will allow the backup drive to spin down when you're not using it, conserving its lifespan and reducing power consumption and noise.

[IdeaStormer]

RAID 1 is only so you can still run/work if a drive fails (or should be used as such) it is not meant as a backup. RAID 1 is redundant but if you're bit by a virus you git the virus twice not just one drive, they are equal down to the millisecond. Even if you had a RAID 1 setup you should back it up.

[Torand]

Yeh, they are the only issues with RAID; you delete a file by accident, NOPE, you lost it and the power + longevity saving is also a plus of not using RAID.

 

Think i'll just go with 2 single disks and duplicate them where necessary.

 

Thanks guys!