backup when computer is off

newgeneral10 · March 10, 2017

I know this is a stupid question but since this is my first time building a nas box (freenas), I figured I'd ask. I know there is a way to schedule automatic backups of my windows and ubuntu pcs to my nas, but what happens when the pcs are off? I'm guessing it just won't back it up. If that's the case, is there a work around this? Like do windows and/or ubuntu support rtc wakeup?

ProjectBox153 · March 10, 2017

If the computer isn't on, it isn't on. It's not going to do anything when it's off, so that includes backups.

MrKickkiller · March 10, 2017

9 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

If the computer isn't on, it isn't on. It's not going to do anything when it's off, so that includes backups.

This is true. If the machine is off, the drives aren't even spinning. You won't be able to adress em.

15 minutes ago, newgeneral10 said:

I know this is a stupid question but since this is my first time building a nas box (freenas), I figured I'd ask. I know there is a way to schedule automatic backups of my windows and ubuntu pcs to my nas, but what happens when the pcs are off? I'm guessing it just won't back it up. If that's the case, is there a work around this? Like do windows and/or ubuntu support rtc wakeup?

Not sure if it's gonna work on Freenas. But most if not all wired nics, support WOL (Wake On Lan). You could perhaps see if you could make a backup script that first wakes up the pc (from off), then backups the data you want, and then turn it back off via command sent to the pc (http://ccm.net/faq/9200-shutdown-or-wake-up-a-pc-on-a-lan).