Help me build a backup server

[sotiris.bos]

Hello! It has been a while since I have been on the forum. I have decided to build a backup server since I have absolutely no backup image of my PC.

What I want to back up (bit by bit):

- My PC which consists of 3 drives: 1) 256GB SSD, 2) 2TB HDD, 3) 4TB HDD
I have FreeFileSync mirroring the file structures of the 2TB HDD onto the 4TB HDD as well as saving deleted files on the first to the latter in case I delete something of value (once a day).
- My android phone. I will want to do this in the near future when I will probably buy a Galaxy S8.

What I am looking for on the server side:

- Be as cheap as possible. I am thinking something like an i3, little bit of ram, small SSD for software and one 8TB HDD to store the backups.
- Simple and friendly software (preferably for free). I don't want to have to mess with command prompts and stuff like that if possible. Mind you, I can get Windows stuff for free (even Win server OSs) from Microsoft Imagine (former Microsoft Dreamspark) from my university.
- Automation. I want everything to be done automatically, once a week maybe, NOT real time. Having the ability to do it manually is also welcome.
- I want the server to be off and able to wake on lan to do the backup and then turn off again.
- Speed. I don't want it to take forever to back up my things, but nothing fancy and crazy. Just to be able to saturate the write speed of the 8TB HDD. I have a cable modem/router with gigabit ethernet which I am probably going to use, or I can buy a cheap gigabit switch if needed.
- Trouble free. Set it and forget it.
- Privacy and security. It is going to have an internet connection so will I need security software?

What I want from you:

- A lot of help about the software and networking of the thing. I can build a PC just fine but have no idea how to set up something like this.
- Hardware suggestions. As cheap as possible but able to do the job.
- Maybe scrap the idea of the server and get a NAS? I have no idea if a NAS would be able to do what I want, be cheaper and better in general. If so, I will still need help setting up the thing.

I want to thank you all in advance! Feels good to be back on the forum!

 

[Matt_98]

1 hour ago, sotiris.bos said:

Hello! It has been a while since I have been on the forum. I have decided to build a backup server since I have absolutely no backup image of my PC.

What I want to back up (bit by bit):

- My PC which consists of 3 drives: 1) 256GB SSD, 2) 2TB HDD, 3) 4TB HDD
I have FreeFileSync mirroring the file structures of the 2TB HDD onto the 4TB HDD as well as saving deleted files on the first to the latter in case I delete something of value (once a day).
- My android phone. I will want to do this in the near future when I will probably buy a Galaxy S8.

What I am looking for on the server side:

- Be as cheap as possible. I am thinking something like an i3, little bit of ram, small SSD for software and one 8TB HDD to store the backups.
- Simple and friendly software (preferably for free). I don't want to have to mess with command prompts and stuff like that if possible. Mind you, I can get Windows stuff for free (even Win server OSs) from Microsoft Imagine (former Microsoft Dreamspark) from my university.
- Automation. I want everything to be done automatically, once a week maybe, NOT real time. Having the ability to do it manually is also welcome.
- I want the server to be off and able to wake on lan to do the backup and then turn off again.
- Speed. I don't want it to take forever to back up my things, but nothing fancy and crazy. Just to be able to saturate the write speed of the 8TB HDD. I have a cable modem/router with gigabit ethernet which I am probably going to use, or I can buy a cheap gigabit switch if needed.
- Trouble free. Set it and forget it.
- Privacy and security. It is going to have an internet connection so will I need security software?

What I want from you:

- A lot of help about the software and networking of the thing. I can build a PC just fine but have no idea how to set up something like this.
- Hardware suggestions. As cheap as possible but able to do the job.
- Maybe scrap the idea of the server and get a NAS? I have no idea if a NAS would be able to do what I want, be cheaper and better in general. If so, I will still need help setting up the thing.

I want to thank you all in advance! Feels good to be back on the forum!

 

1

 

get an old xeon for like £10 and a motherboard (around £75)  and definitely get multiple HDD's for raid. 

p.s, just use normal windows pro (windows server is way overpriced)

[RedWulf]

Might want to spend abit more on the xeon, but yes you don't need anything modern or high end for this. I would say just get a small HDD for the OS and then a few NAS/Server HDDs for raid 1(mirrors) or 10(strips and mirror). SInce the 2tb is already backing up to the 4tb, I would shoot for maybe 8 tb of storage min, thats a backup of all your drives+phone and OS. I would say just go with linux, either ubuntu or freenas, either will work fine, light weight, and free; and both have ample community support. You are pretty much looking for an NAS, which is why I suggest freenas. I believe freenas actually comes loaded for wake on lan and for backing up remote drives. As for parts, just go to ebay or server monkey and fine a used case, xeon, mobo with in budget, if you need help with compatibility just ask...I would however get new HDDs

[joshfrog]

its not a cheap option but i deal with 2 qnap nas at work with a 3rd qnap nas as a back up for the other two and works well. 

a small word of advice when setting up the back up, as someone who just spent the last two weeks sorting out all 3 qnaps i would highly recommend backing up in a really clean and easy to manage way, i have spent way to much time cleaning up the system.

you might want to look at freenas if you havnt already.

good luck