In this video we take a look at the installation and configuration of Synology Hyper Backup. Hyper Backup is a free application that we can use to make regular backups on a Synology NAS. However as we should be making both an onsite and offsite backup. We will be looking at how we backup to an external USB hard drive and to Synology’s C2 cloud service.
Backup strategy
It’s important not to rely on a single backup, but have multiple backups in both an onsite, and offsite location. For home users we recommend that you make at least an on site and off site backup. However in an ideal world, you should be using a 3-2-1 data backup strategy.
This is where you have three copies of your data. One for your production data, and then 2 backup copies. You should also be using two different forms of media. For example hard disks and cloud storage. Then have one copy of your backup offsite, for disaster recovery.
As a 3-2-1 data backup strategy may not be feasible for home users. We recommend making daily backups to a USB hard drive. Then have a second USB hard drive for weekly backups that you keep in a fire proof safe or away from your home. Finally make a daily backup to a cloud server like Synology C2, which will then act as your disaster recovery.
- Log into your NAS using your Administrators credentials
- From the desktop of the DSM, select Package Centre
- Using the Search bar in Package Center, locate Synology Hyper Backup
- Click on the Install button for Hyper Backup
Note: Synology Hyper backup will also require that PHP is installed on your NAS. For your reference, PHP is a widely used open source scripting language, usually used to execute scripts on a server.
- Now close Package Centre and open the Start Menu
- From within the Start menu locate and select Hyper Backup
- When you open Hyper Backup for the first time a Backup Schedule Wizard will appear
- Choose either Folders and Packages, Entire System or LUN’s
Note: The option you choose will depend on the type of device you are making your backups to. The device you are using for your backup will also dictate what will be backed up. For example Folders and Packages will backup data in shared folders, and any packages installed onto your NAS. While Entire System will allow you to make a full backup only to Synology C2 or a second Synology NAS. A LUN or Logic Unit Number, will allow you to backup to an iSCSI storage environment. Something that most home users probably don’t use.
- As we are backing up to an external USB hard drive. We will need to use Folder and Packages – Local Shared Folder or USB
- In Select Backup Version Type choose Multiple versions
- For Backup Destination Settings select USBshare1 from the drop down menu in Shared Folder
- The Directory setting can be left with its default
- Data Backup select all share folders on your NAS
- In Application Backup tick each application listed
- For Backup Settings set a backup and integrity check schedule.
- We recommend that you also enable client-side encryption
- Enable Backup rotation in Rotation Settings
Note: As we will be making an onsite backup to an external USB hard drive. We will be using a feature built into Hyper Backup called Data Rotation. Data Rotation will automatically delete any older or unnecessary versions of the data that our backups have been making. This in turn should help to free up storage space on our external USB hard drive, as the drive starts to fill.
- At the Summary select Done
- When prompted you can select Yes to “Back up now”. However it should be noted that if you are running applications like Video, Photo and Audio Station. These applications will close while the backup is being made.
- Open Hyper Backup
- Locate and select the Backup Explorer icon
- Use the time line to select the period of time you wish to restore your file or folder from.
- Using the main browse window locate and highlight the file you wish to restore
- Click on the Restore button
- When prompted that we wish to proceed with overwriting the original file select, Yes
- Check that your files or folders have been restored
Note: While an Entire System backup, is designed to easily restore your NAS from scratch. You basically get the same result if you first install a clean version of Disk Station Manager on to your NAS. Then after reinstalling Hyper Backup, if you restore from a Folders and Packages type. Not only will this restore your data and settings, it will return your NAS to the same state it was in when it was last backed up.
- Open Hyper Backup
- Locate and select the Restoration Wizard icon
- In Select a Restoration Type, choose the type of backup you wish to restore from.
- Next in Select Restoration Task, choose your backup Task
- Under System Configurations choose to either Restore or not restore the system configuration
Note: If doing a full restore, you will need to restore system configuration. If you choose to not restore the system configuration, you will only restore data in network shares.
- In Data Restoration select the Shared Folders you to restore data to
- Now in Application Restoration, choose all applications
- When you reach Data Restoration Summary, by clicking Done you will restore your NAS using your backup
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