NAS or USB C Backup drive system?

[Mainer82]

Hi, I'm looking at upgrading my external backup system. Right now this is what I have and do for my backups:

*Copy all files, photos, videos to a single driver external drive (USB) on a scheduled basis
*Burn all photographs and videos to Bluray discs once a year. I keep a copy at home and at work

I'd like a redundant system at home, either NAS running RAID 1 that sits in my basement or a USB RAID 1 system that is in my home office and is only turned on when needed.

Any recommendations for which method would be best?

 

[superninja12]

nas, it will automaticly backup your system files weekly without you need to look out for.
also accessing the big file drive from multiple pcs is no problem.

 

[13thmonkey]

nas, it will automaticly backup your system files weekly without you need to look out for.
also accessing the big file drive from multiple pcs is no problem.

^ agreed, it'll also be more tolerant to power issues in the main PC which could theoretically take out a USB drive.

However, one issue I have with NAS's is that they use proprietary components, PSU dies, it's probably dead, put the drives into a new NAS, they may not be formatted the same and hence be unreadable, mobo dies, it's dead etc. etc.

However building a small cheap PC can be a similar cost, using portable containers for storage like storage spaces means that even if you have to replace all of the non-drive components then you can still access your data. Or use freenas and it's portable too (but is technically slightly more complex and needs ECC ram to work well).

 

[Mainer82]

If I were to purchase a USB unit it would only be on when I need it. I don't do auto-backups- only manual. I think that I am leaning more toward a unit that sits on my desk rather than a NAS that runs ALL of the time. I'm looking at one of these unless I find something else just as good: http://www.lacie.com/professional/big/2big/

 

[13thmonkey]

If I were to purchase a USB unit it would only be on when I need it. I don't do auto-backups- only manual. I think that I am leaning more toward a unit that sits on my desk rather than a NAS that runs ALL of the time. I'm looking at one of these unless I find something else just as good: http://www.lacie.com/professional/big/2big/

Lacie are usually on the pricey end of the market, personally I'd go with a company that makes hdds, rather than one that makes nice looking cases, but I'm all about utility.