[Advice Request] Easy On-Site Backup

[AtlasTabulae]

I am just about to start university and I am looking to get a simple-to-use on-site backup.

I am looking preferably for something that can run 24/7 but also doesn't go into full panic mode if powered down, I'd like to stick to standard SATA-compatible storage for the purpose of upgradability, and something that is ideally drag-and-drop from a windows system.

My original idea was a NAS drive, but as I am in dorms I think I would prefer something a little more secure and harder to "discover" on other devices; NAS storage enclosures also seem to be quite expensive.

I did look into using a Raspberry Pi as a NAS controller but I don't really have the time to go along the route of building my own solution unless it is quite simple to do.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for (preferably networked/networkable/wireless) "drag-and-drop" out of the box solutions?

[Malice Techen]

21 minutes ago, AtlasTabulae said:

I am just about to start university and I am looking to get a simple-to-use on-site backup.

I am looking preferably for something that can run 24/7 but also doesn't go into full panic mode if powered down, I'd like to stick to standard SATA-compatible storage for the purpose of upgradability, and something that is ideally drag-and-drop from a windows system.

My original idea was a NAS drive, but as I am in dorms I think I would prefer something a little more secure and harder to "discover" on other devices; NAS storage enclosures also seem to be quite expensive.

I did look into using a Raspberry Pi as a NAS controller but I don't really have the time to go along the route of building my own solution unless it is quite simple to do.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for (preferably networked/networkable/wireless) "drag-and-drop" out of the box solutions?

They make TrueNas/FreeNAS Boxes that are small and secure; along with Synology. I don’t know what the prices are off hand; but if you want a setup that’s fairly quick and turnkey I would look at those units as they have small seizes. Debating on scraping some of bulk hardware in this post as I am having a cost, size, and buy issues as well: 

 

[jake9000]

I do not think a networked device would be appropriate for your use case. Many universities block devices on dorm networks from talking to each other at all, and the network may resist you connecting up a personal router. 

Just get a USB WD Easystore at the size of your preference. Consider just backing up your schoolwork to google drive or whatever and save your spending money for other things down the line. Lots of unexpected expenses pop up when you start living on your own. 

[AtlasTabulae]

On 9/14/2019 at 6:06 AM, jake9000 said:

I do not think a networked device would be appropriate for your use case. Many universities block devices on dorm networks from talking to each other at all, and the network may resist you connecting up a personal router. 

Just get a USB WD Easystore at the size of your preference. Consider just backing up your schoolwork to google drive or whatever and save your spending money for other things down the line. Lots of unexpected expenses pop up when you start living on your own. 

Thanks,

 

I have a Freecom model 35607 laying around anyway (not sure about their reliability), so I'll just have to remember to periodically backup manually rather than relying on automatic backups.

 

Thank you for both of your help