While you probably got your Synology BeeStation to back up your computer, it’s also a good idea to back up your BeeStation. That way, you’ll have an extra layer of protection, just in case something unexpected happens.
So in this video we take a look at the backup options for a Synology BeeStation, and then take a look at the four different ways that we can restore our data.
Note: The main reason you would backup your BeeStation, is to protect your data in the event of fire or theft. So ideally which ever backup medium you use should be stored off site. While cloud storage or a second off site NAS would be the ideal option. Both of these options are very expensive to implement and maintain. So we compromise by using an external USB hard drive, which when not being used to make a backup, should ideally be placed in a fire proof safe.
Note: Our notes are based on using an external USB hard drive as our backup destination. Which also happens to be the cheapest and fastest way to restore data back to our BeeStation. However, if you have the funds, it might be worth considering the use of BeeProtect, or Synology’s C2 storage.
- Make sure you have an external USB hard drive connected to your BeeStation.
- Sign into the BeeStation portal with a web browser using your Synology account..
- Click on the Settings icon, and from the quick menu choose System Settings.
- Using the sidebar in System Settings click on Data Protection.
- If you do not intend to use BeeProtect, click on the link “You can also back up to other locations“.
- Now select a backup location, which in this example will be External drive.
- Next we need to set a Backup Schedule.
Note: We keep our USB hard drive permanently connected to our BeeStation. Which while it does leave us open to the risk of fire or theft, is a gamble we are prepared to take based on how likely these events are to occur.
- After setting a backup schedule, we now need to consider Encrypting the backup data on our drive.
- When we click Confirm, we are prompted to down load the encryption recovery key (only if we set Encryption).
- While the backup is now set. The first backup will take a while to complete. With any subsequent backups being a lot quicker. So we are going to make our first backup, by clicking on Back Up Now.
There are three ways you can restore data back onto your BeeStation. One using the Synology Hyper Backup Explorer application to restore Files and Folders. With the other two options being to restore using a restore point, or perform a full system restore using a backup file.
Note: The Recycle bin is not a backup, so when a file is deleted, it will only available in the Recycle bin for 30 days.
- Sign into your BeeStation using the BeeStation portal.
- Now open BeeFiles.
- Using the sidebar of BeeFiles, select Recycle bin.
- You should see listed all of the files that have been recently deleted.
- Select the file you wish to undelete and click on the restore button to return that file back onto your BeeStation.
Note: In order to restore specific files or folders from our backup. We will need to use the Synology Hyper Backup Explorer application. This application will then allow you to restore files and folders from backups made to external drives or Synology C2 storage.
- Connect your USB hard drive (unless you are recovering files from a C2 backup) to your computer.
- Open Synology Hyper Backup Explorer on your computer.
- Click Browse Local Backup, and open the file starting with SynologyHyperbackup.bkpi.
- If prompted enter your backup password.
- You will find three folders, Media, TimeMachine and homes. These folders correspond with the folder on your BeeStation. So open the appropriate folder to file the files or folders you are looking to restore.
Note: The files and folders that were synced between your computer and your BeeStation, will in most instances be stored in one of the subfolders in the Homes folder.
- When you find the file or folder, highlight it then right click your mouse to display a quick menu.
- From the quick menu choose Copy to.
- Choose the location where you would like to download the files or folders to. For example the desktop on your computer.
- With the files or folders now on you computer you need to upload them to the correct location on your BeeStation.
Unlike just restoring some data from our backup, there are two options that basically allow us to perform a full system restore that will return a BeeStation back to a previous state. However, in part because of any syncs you may be running with your BeeStation. You need to be careful when performing a backup.
When you configured your backup, there was an option called Internal Restore Points that will create a restore point on your BeeStations hard drive. If this option was enabled, you can use this to return your BeeStation back to a previous point.
- Open the BeeStation Portal using a web browser and sign in using your Synology account.
- Click on the System icon, and choose System Settings from the quick menu.
- In System Settings use the sidebar to select Data Recovery.
- Under the heading Restore the Entire BeeStation click Restore.
- Select Restore from internal restore points and click on Restore.
- Choose a restore point from the provided list.
- After reading the notes click Restore.
Note: Once a full system restore has been completed it will require that you re-register your BeeStation with your Synology account, possibly reconfigure your IP address, re-invite users, recreate links, set up SMB shares, create new Sync points, reconfigure backups and re-enable Time Machine backups.
- Make sure that your external backup drive is connected to your BeeStation.
- Open the BeeStation Portal using a web browser and sign in using your Synology account.
- Click on the System icon, and choose System Settings from the quick menu.
- In System Settings use the sidebar to select Data Recovery.
- Under the heading Restore the Entire BeeStation click on the Restore button.
- Select Restore from external backup files and then choose Confirm.
- Choose External drive from the list of options then click Next.
- Now select the backup file you wish to use for the restore.
- Next choose the backup version you wish to use.
- Click Restore to restore your BeeStation.
- mydoodads article – Synology BeeStation | USB drive backup.
- mydoodads article – Synology BeeStation | Time Machine backups.
- Amazon store – WD 2TB Elements 2.5 inch USB 3.0 hard drive.
- Synology support article – Synology BeeStation Product Manual.
- Synology support article – Synology Hyper Backup Explorer.
- Synology product page – BeeProtect.
- Synology product page – Synology C2.
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