What Network Hard Drive to use?

[protocolpcs]

I have a situation where a 2003 server is in the main office and there is a fiber connection to another office across the street. I want to plug in a Network Hard Drive on the remote office network and send a selection of files from the server to this device for backup. No one else needs to use any files on this device. I just want to backup files to it from the server.
The amount of data that I want to backup is around 14 or 15 GB and I want to keep at least five days in rotation. A 250 GB drive would be plenty with room to spare.
I have been looking at the Network drives from Western Digital, Maxtor and Buffalo. They are in the $350.00 market.
What bothers me is the file format of these drives. I think they are only FAT32.
There is a 2 GB file size limit, right?
How can I send a 15 GB file to those drives?
The next question is, will the software that comes with these drives allow me to backup from a 2003 server?

Does anyone have any recommendations for solutions to this project?
I don't want to use tape backup, and I can't rely on anyone to take drives off site. This setup will be great if I could only decide on the right device to use.
Please Help.

 

[rvnguy]

From your post I am led to think you are not actually performing a 'backup' in the traditional sense. You are wanting to copy specific files to another device for integriy purposes.

There is a 2 GB file size limit, right?
How can I send a 15 GB file to those drives

Do you have a single file in excess of 2GB or one that is 15GB?

Are these files(15GB) located in a single directory? or scattered about?

As to the FAT32 issue see the link, you can post format the drive as NTFS.

Buffalo

http://www.buffalotech.com/KB/index.php?ToDo=view&questId=12&catId=21

I think you would want an ethernet connected NAS device over one using a USB connection alsong the lines of this

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=72&categoryid=16

Hope this answers some of your concerns

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[PRPhx]

The buffalo terrastation, from 640 gig to 1.6 TERA byte looks like a really good solution. It's a NAS device, supports TCP/IP, Raid levels of 0,1,5 (which is the default) and has 4 USB connections. A little pricey tho. The 1 terabyte model runs around $700-$800 depending on where you get it from.

I really don't need one at home, but if I did, it is what I would get. Here at work, I already have a 3.6 Terabyte NAS device.. Argh and it's almost have full...

 

[SeanAIX430]

I haven't used a network attached drive for backups, I just use an external HD connected to the servers usb port. Either way, when you get the new drive just format it with ntfs right away. Then use backupExec or ntbackup to backup the file. Or just run a batch file to copy the file over to the new drive.

 

[protocolpcs]

Thank you for your comments.
I am not doing traditional backup at this site. The tape drive failed and it's not worth replacing. I hate dealing with tape and there is no one on the staff to give backup responsibility to.
Because of the fiber connection to the remote office, I have a great opportunity to get a backup off site with no user intervention.
Since the tape drive failed, I have been using Windows Backup on the 2003 server to send a backup to a computer in the remote office. It has been working, or so I thought, until I tried to do a restore and Windows Backup didn't know what its own file was.
rvnguy,
The programs used to backup data usually create one file that it puts all your selected files into. This file created by the backup program will be a single 15 GB file.
I read the links that you sent, and I'm still not possitive the Buffalo drive can be formated NTFS. If it can't, the backup program can't send a 15 GB file to it. I wish someone has worked with one of these types of drives before.

 

[wolluf]

protocolpcs - couple of things

1. I can't believe you didn't investigate filestore suppoted by these devices.

2. I can't believe a 250GB 'server' drive DOESN'T support ntfs. The minimum file allocation file allocation size for fat32 at that disksize is unusable (apart from filesize limitation - which is 4 not 2GB).

You must be able to use ntfs on this sort of device. Some more research - supplied judiciously to your current suppliers may get a result. Mind you its not obvious that your backup deive can't use ntfs, file size is a problem etc. Please clarify the exact situation.

 

[rvnguy]

The drives in the Buffalo Drive Station & Tera Station are std SATA drives...I don't know why you are not positive about NTFS??

Solution: For Windows 2000 PRO and XP a user should format the drive NTFS. This will increase the maximum file size
The disk formater in DriveStation will not do NTFS. But you can use the Disk Format tool in XP or Win2k to format the devic

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[protocolpcs]

Let me clarify a few things about the Buffalo product. The TerraStation is a high end device and will do many things as a NAS/SAN, but this unit is priced above budget. The Drive Station is a USB/Firewire device only and cannot connect directly to the network. The Buffalo LinkStation, Western Digital NetCenter and the Maxtor Shared Storage Plus are the types of drives I am trying to figure out. The reason I fear the NTFS problem is because on these types of devices, the hard drive is controled by the chipset of the unit itself and not a Windows computer. So considering this and reading my original post, has anyone used these types of drives before?
There is a 2 GB file size limit, right?
How can I send a 15 GB file to those drives?
The next question is, will the software that comes with these drives allow me to backup from a 2003 server?

 

[rvnguy]

protocolpcs,

I have to ask if you actually take the time to read what the posters are advising?

I think you would want an ethernet connected NAS device

I did inadvertantly refer to the "Drive Station" in a later post.

The specs from this link I provided earlier

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=72&categoryid=16

Specifications:
LAN Interface
Interface IEEE802.3 / IEEE802.U Standard
(100BASE-TX / 10BASE-T)
Transmission Speed 10/100 Mbps
Transmission Encoding Method 100BASE-TX: 4B5B, MLT-3
10BASE-T: Manchester coding
Access Method CSMA/CD
Port / Connector RJ-45
Cable 100BASE-TX: Category5 2,4 UTP
10BASE-T: Category3,4,5 2 UTP
Number of Ports 1
Transmission Distance 100m

If you want to use something other than Buffalo, I defer to others. I have only used the Buffalo line and have the Link Station & attached Drive Station, and have setup the Tera Station for others. All are formatted as NTFS. I provided a link to what Buffalo said on this instead of just stating that I have done it. I can attest to the fact that NTFS functions transparently in the Buffalo line. I also use Acronis True Image as software.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[rvnguy]

Sorry I missed your last 3 queries:

There is a 2 GB file size limit, right?
Correct for FAT32 & Not NTFS, actually 4GB for Win2K

How can I send a 15 GB file to those drives?
If formatted as NTFS just direct your software to this device

The next question is, will the software that comes with these drives allow me to backup from a 2003 server?
This is what NAS is all about, After installation it appears as an attached device. But I have not used their software.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[PRPhx]

protocolpcs:
Here are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself.

1) How critical are the files you want to safe? Would your business fail if they were lost and un-retrievable?

2) What do you want to do with these files after the end of your rotation period? How often do they get written to backup?

The buffalo terastation is anything BUT a high end NAS. High end NAS devices run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And if you do a google search for buffalo terastation prices, you can find some good deals (under $700 for a 1 terabye - 4 drive system, with it's own backup software.)

Another consideration is time to do a backup. a 15 GB file(s) is going to take a while, depending on your network, network traffic, etc.

And finally, with the terastation (or anything similiar) IF one drive goes down, you don't lose data. Simply replace the drive and let the box rebuild the drive. If it was me purchasing a backup device, I would think up something creative to justify it, such as using this device for company wide or critical data backup. Looking at this way, it then isn't so expensive and can be critical to your company in case of a disasterous failure.

 

[protocolpcs]

rvnguy,
Thank you for your post. I do read all the responses, and your last post was the first time you said that you had used the Link Station and have formated it with NTFS. I am very thankful that someone has responded that has real experience with this type of product. Now I feel confident in buying this product.
Thanks again.

 

[rvnguy]

protocolpcs,

Some of us attempt to not push certian brands, especially when the poster is looking at several as you indicated.

I pointed you to docs that covered your concerns, I thought.

I would be surprised if other brands would not allow NTFS, albeit I do not know this first hand.

I would hope that you take PRPhx's comments seriously.

As economy in backup schemes usually ends in disaster, but this is something that you must decide.

If you require assistance in justification for a more expensive solution, Post back either here or in a new thread. As I am positive that in this community you will receive a mountian of reasons theat will justify a secure backup solution.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all