What advice is there for home data storage?
What advice is there for home data storage?
Hello! I’m reaching out because both my partner and I work with photography and might move into video production soon. We currently use USB drives for backups, but I’m looking for a more refined and lasting solution. These drives lack backup features and need to be connected to a computer, which isn’t ideal. I have limited experience with networking and would value guidance on finding the right equipment, what to buy, and how to proceed.
I’d prefer a server or rack that can hold multiple hard drives for long-term storage. They should be kept on-site, accessible through both Mac OS and Windows, and restricted to our home network—never the internet or public systems. While I’m open to remote access if needed later, security is a priority.
I also want redundancy built into the system: some drives should automatically back up to another set to prevent data loss from hardware failure.
Additionally, I’d like the setup to support regular weekly backups to an off-site service for uploads only, not downloads unless absolutely necessary.
In terms of workflow, I imagine handling initial editing and culling locally, then using the backup system for archiving. I’m not planning heavy daily use but would still need occasional file transfers.
Budget-wise, I’m flexible with a few thousand dollars to get started, but aim to keep costs low while ensuring quality. We already have fiber internet and use the ISP’s router. For capacity, I’d expect around 10–20 TB, which should suffice for large files, though I’m open to scaling up later.
Thank you for your help—I really appreciate it!
What you are seeking is commonly referred to as a NAS. There are several brands available, differing in capacity and additional features. Almost every unit, except the most basic ones, offers the ability to provide redundancy, ensuring data safety even if one drive fails. Of course, you still require another backup plan to handle situations like a house fire that could destroy the entire system. I would start with some basic research and then ask further questions, as many forum members use NAS devices. They are relatively affordable, but using SSDs instead of mechanical disks can increase costs.
Yeah, NAS is what you need. Popular brands are Synology, QNAP, Asustor, and UGreen. They all work with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The first three come from Taiwan, UGreen from China. Synology now needs certified parts—drives and RAM—which makes them more costly. UGreen is cheaper but still has good ratings. There are plenty of YouTube reviews to check out. It’s a good idea to look them over first. If you don’t set up external access, everything stays on the LAN.
In line with what was mentioned, a NAS is suitable.
I own a 4-bay QNAP that has been running continuously since 2017.
Some of you use Synology, but either option should meet your requirements.
Perform some research and return with any questions. We can definitely help you get started on the correct route.
For video projects, I aim for more than 4 bays. 4K footage consumes significant storage, so you'll need space to grow. If your focus is photography, 4 bays should suffice.
Ensure the setup includes at least 2.5gbe and use a 2.5gbe or better switch for connecting computers. A higher-grade NAS with SSD cache would benefit from 10gbe and a corresponding switch, especially if you plan to work directly from the NAS. However, if your storage is primarily in RAID 5, 2.5gbe should be adequate.
The only challenge you face is disaster recovery when your data matters. This requires a strategy for off-site data backup to guard against risks like theft, fire, or flooding. A NAS offers convenient access within your local network, but what if the roof fails and your NAS becomes submerged?
Hi folks - I really appreciate the replies. I'm currently torn between the Synology DS425+ and the DS1521+, leaning towards the DS425+.
I read about the drive restrictions and the pricing honestly is not that significantly different for their lower tier drives than other other areas and it seems that their software package is top notch quality.
Two points of clarification I'd like to make that I'm hopeful someone may be able to answer.
1. I'd like to set up the drive to do a remote backup as others have mentioned. Likely something like Backblaze that is done weekly. I won't use this for download, but only upload unless total loss of the drives. Any recommendations on services, and do both of those units support that?
2. Second option would be to buy a second, identical unit and store it at a family members home and do a remote sync weekly. Do these drives also support that? This is the less likely option for now, but maybe a longer term option.
Thanks again!!!
Synology has seemingly removed their drive restrictions. The update restores compatibility with popular drive brands such as Western Digital and Seagate. Synology reverses its controversial compatibility policy for 2025 NAS units — third-party HDD and SSD support returns with DiskStation Manager 7.3 up... Read more for details.
Are there any HDDs you suggest that have been tested and proven effective?
Seagate Ironwolf Pro, Toshiba X300, WD Gold — in reality, apart from a few exceptions, they all share similar characteristics.