FreeNAS backup files when changed

[Keudn]

I am looking into building myself a NAS and I have a question about FreeNAS, does it allow you to configure it to backup everything you specify and then whenever a file is updated backup that latest version? I intend on using this for my important files that don't need nightly backups since they aren't updated terribly often. I would rather back them all up and then let it sit and only backup newer versions of those files. Is FreeNAS capable of this? If not, what NAS software can?

[Electronics Wizardy]

What are you backing up?

 

Most programs like rsync, windows backup that is built in, veeam and others will only backed files that have been changed.

[Keudn]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

What are you backing up?

 

Most programs like rsync, windows backup that is built in, veeam and others will only backed files that have been changed.

I am mainly starting to want a NAS because my laptop is acting up and since I use it for college notes I should probably back it up somewhere. Besides that I also want to backup my desktop's documents, music, desktop files, etc. My storage hard drives with game installs will be left alone since those can be re downloaded, but essentially I want my whole boot drives on my desktop and laptop.

[Electronics Wizardy]

12 minutes ago, Keudn said:

I am mainly starting to want a NAS because my laptop is acting up and since I use it for college notes I should probably back it up somewhere. Besides that I also want to backup my desktop's documents, music, desktop files, etc. My storage hard drives with game installs will be left alone since those can be re downloaded, but essentially I want my whole boot drives on my desktop and laptop.

Just use the backup built into windows this(or rsync in linux/osx) and point it to the nas.

[Keudn]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

Just use the backup built into windows this(or rsync in linux/osx) and point it to the nas.

Do I need FreeNAS then or could I just use any old windows computer?

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Keudn said:

Do I need FreeNAS then or could I just use any old windows computer?

you could use any computer. If you just want a basic nas, id get something like this from synology.https://www.amazon.com/Synology-Station-Diskless-Attached-DS416j/dp/B019ZUR5WQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B019ZUR5WQ

[Keudn]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

you could use any computer. If you just want a basic nas, id get something like this from synology.https://www.amazon.com/Synology-Station-Diskless-Attached-DS416j/dp/B019ZUR5WQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B019ZUR5WQ

I have a cheap little Core 2 Duo machine, I'll probably just grab some decent hard drives and put FreeNAS on it

[Eniqmatic]

You do realise a NAS is essentially storage and in itself does not "backup" from one location to another? You use separate software to do that, as @Electronics Wizardy says. 

 

If you really want to run FreeNAS, why not just store the files on the FreeNAS itself using CIFS/SMB shares then use Snapshots to back it up? Saves the need for using piece of software. Of course you should backup everything critical elsewhere also.