Recommendations for Open Source hard drive backup software to external NAS. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2023, 04:38:12 pm
content: I'd like to back up my laptops hard drive to an external Synology NAS over Ethernet. I've tried AOMEI Backupper, but it failed at 98%, and It's VERY slow (maybe intentionally so I'll buy an upgraded licence from the freeware I'm using). Can Clonezilla do this? Are there any open source solutions that can also encrypt everything at the same time. I'm using Windows 10. Thanks.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2023, 06:24:31 pm
content: why not use the synology dedicated backup agent for almost any existing operating system ?

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2023, 06:35:53 pm
content: Yes, I've seen a few apps on the web interface. I'll do a bit of research over the next few days on what's available and how to use it. I'll post here if there is anything I don't understand. Thanks.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2023, 11:25:05 pm
content: Bacula comes to mind, but it's not easy to set up and configure. Depends on your Linux skills. There is a Windows version too, but I haven't played with it.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2023, 09:07:47 pm
content: sometime the Anti virus causes problems, or you have in use / locked files who are not well managed ?? close everything, no background processes etc ... onedrive ....

author: mk_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2023, 11:04:20 pm
content: Freefilesync with history if runnig windows on your laptops, but this is not Opsen SourceUrbackup runnning on a Linux-System with a client on Windows, don`t know if this is OS, but it`s doing fine here on some of my systemsof course restore was/is testedBut - I do only backup Data-partitions, not System and not Programs (don`t care about them, can be reinstalled within a really short time)

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2023, 11:14:25 pm
content: Could microsoft's robocopy be an alternative?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 01:23:55 pm
content: I have been using rsync for this purpose for many years. It's a simple command line tool you can run at set times to do a backup. AFAIK every modern day NAS supports rsync.

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 07:38:07 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on December 27, 2023, 06:24:31 pmI think kripton2035'S proposal is probably the best course of action. If you have trouble with/don't like the Synology solution, you could take a look atDuplicatias an alternative. If you were not using windows I'd suggestBorg Backup, which is my preferred solution.

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 08:41:21 pm
content: Thanks for all the suggestions. I have to figure out a strategy for working out what I'm going to back up as a priority. Then I'll take it from there.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 09:23:00 pm
content: ViceVersa by TGRMN software. i've been using that for 20+ years. has never failed me.https://www.tgrmn.com/

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2024, 10:50:17 am
content: Does it have to be open source? There's a freeware/shareware program for Windows called SyncBack that does a great job and is easy to use, it just runs in the background and takes care of things automatically. The more fancy stuff is paid, but the basic version that'll probably do all you need is free.

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2024, 05:32:55 pm
content: Owncloud, though not specifically a backup program, works fine. You can keep.as many live copies on other synced computers and keep virtual files on others. I have 5 or 6 laptops and desksides all synced. Then on the server I use ZFS raid. The advantage over backup software is the syncing is almost immediate. I've tried Bacula and it works, but it's tough to get the incremental working. Bacula supports virtual tape and real tape if you p Lan to take a copy offside. Rysnc as others mentioned works well if you setup a chron job but adding the folder to owncloud is as easy as putting it in the owncloud directory and then adding it to the sync on other computers. Filehistory on windows and timemachine can both point to an external drive using afp or smb. I don't know if there is an equivalentent for linux, other thN rsync with a chron job for automation.

author: rkabz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 12:17:31 pm
content: Microsoft 'SyncToy' still works even on my W11 PC...https://updov.com/download-synctoy/... can't vouch for the download from here but there are likely other places to download.

author: LMedu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 04:09:08 pm
content: If anyone is interested in SyncToy you can still download it through the link to microsoft at web.archive.org. (Version 2.1_x64)https://web.archive.org/web/20190326050936/https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/c/4/6c406239-a648-4e01-833e-2c452deed3b6/SyncToySetupPackage_v21_x64.exe