On 30/09/16 10:45, Chris Walker wrote:
On Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:42:25 +0100 Chris Walker alug_cdw@the-walker-household.co.uk wrote:
Ok. Assuming that's the route I take, and adopt your maxim of backing that up to a large USB disc, can I automate that? I don't mind copying stuff to a NAS but then don't want to have to go to the trouble of copying stuff to a USB disc as well. The reason I want it to be automatic is that I know things will be overlooked if they're not.
In asking the question about automating the task of a backup, I don't mean running a backup for example, overnight. Instead I was wondering if it was possible to automatically copy anything new from the RAID to the USB device as it's written to the RAID.
I expect it will be possible, but not sure exactly how. I think some cloud backup systems copy files straight away.
For a device to house the discs, I'm considering one of these - http://www.ebuyer.com/722189-hpe-proliant-gen8-g1610t-819185-421-4gb-ram-mic... and using Debian as the OS.
I've thought about getting one of those too.
Assuming that, to start, I use my existing discs, but later expand to 2
- 2TB drives, I assume that I can use all 4 drives but have each pair mirror one another. So that I have the 1TB discs mirror each other and the 2TB similarly mirror each other. Can I do that using RAID?
I'm sure you can, but first, if you are replacing the disks because they're old or your worried about them, then replace the disks because they're old, not hang on to them! If there's any doubt about the old disks, I'd stop using them
You could do what you describe - you'd end up with two independent raid arrays. Look at the Wikipedia RAID article, there are various combinations
Next question concerns the filing system. Somebody has suggested to me that I should be considering zfs. I've no experience of that so is that something I should definitely do or possibly consider, or not bother with?
Personally, though I've heard of zfs, I've never used it. I wouldn't have a clue how to use it or its tools. I'd check up on how to create, use, fix a zfs partition & raid with a zfs filesystem. If you're happy, I guess carry on. Personally, I'm just happy with ext4 (or 3), as I know how to use it .
Good luck.
Steve