Best Affordable Local Backup Solution

[Grotexo]

Hi everyone,

 

the word “chaotic” seems to describe my current storage situation the best. Some data is backed up, other data isn’t, external/usb drives fly around the apartment and my rather new PC is reaching its max capacity sooner than I’d like. Therefore, I am looking for a storage solution that puts an end to this.  

 

What I envision is a 4-bay device running in some RAID configuration (to protect me against drive failure) that I can connect to my PC or Macbook with good but not crazy fast speeds. A NAS seems overkill to me, as I don’t need most of its functionality (it’s supposed to be accessed a few times a month to back up all new data). My budget, without drives, is around 200$. Do you have any suggestions on what to look for or criticism towards my idea?

 

I was also wondering whether I can gradually add drives to an existing RAID array, i.e., starting with 2 drives and adding the other 2 after I have saved up enough money for them?

 

I am really thankful for any advice!

[Budget DIY]

You could get an older lower-tier PC, with lots of SATA ports. And use that occasionally as your NAS. Only turn it on, when you're going to make those back-ups. When configured correctly, you probably don't even need a monitor/mouse/keyboard connected.

[ToboRobot]

Older PCs can do this, if you want you can do something with SBC like a R Pi, but costs will add up as you try to scale it.

What you want is a NAS.

[Grotexo]

15 minutes ago, Budget DIY said:

You could get an older lower-tier PC, with lots of SATA ports. And use that occasionally as your NAS. Only turn it on, when you're going to make those back-ups. When configured correctly, you probably don't even need a monitor/mouse/keyboard connected.

Thanks for your input! An older PC isn't really an option for me due to space limitations though.

 

[Grotexo]

8 minutes ago, ToboRobot said:

Older PCs can do this, if you want you can do something with SBC like a R Pi, but costs will add up as you try to scale it.

What you want is a NAS.

A NAS is probably the easiest thing to go for... However, I fell like I am spending money for a bunch of features that I simply won't use.

[Budget DIY]

Then buy a used NAS. Your 200 currency units budget excluded the storage itself anyways, and that's kinda the thing that gets worn out in a NAS.

[Grotexo]

20 minutes ago, Budget DIY said:

Then buy a used NAS. Your 200 currency units budget excluded the storage itself anyways, and that's kinda the thing that gets worn out in a NAS.

Good idea! Assuming the NAS breaks, can I still access my data if I set it up in a RAID array?

And couldn't this be a viable option instead of a NAS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZRMGGK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B071ZP2HFK&pd_rd_w=yxNyl&content-id=amzn1.sym.46bad5f6-1f0a-4167-9a8b-c8a82fa48a54&pf_rd_p=46bad5f6-1f0a-4167-9a8b-c8a82fa48a54&pf_rd_r=XTC1NTERMC2F6R9804PY&pd_rd_wg=Dd0xj&pd_rd_r=8e49074c-285b-4656-9927-c24e294159c4&s=pc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWUo5TjJSREg0MEpOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDUxNDI3T0NRSDZHUzdCNUxaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MDE5OTgxODVBWjhWN09TWE84JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1? It looks like a NAS without all the network stuff...