Backup Synology NAS to Cloud/External Hard Drive Translating the phrase into English: "Backup Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) to Cloud/External Hard Drive"

Creating a backup of your NAS (Network Attached Storage) is vitally important, as without it, you risk losing your data in the event of accidents or failures. Backing up your Synology NAS data to a cloud platform or an external USB drive is a straightforward process. Read on to gain more insights into Synology NAS and how to perform a backup effectively.

Does a Synology NAS come with backup software?

Synology NAS utilizes Hyper Backup, which is its dedicated backup application. This allows you to safeguard all your crucial data by backing it up to an external device or directly to third-party cloud platforms such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and others.

If you're looking to learn how to transfer files from OneDrive to iCloud, you can refer to the article below:

Quick Guide: How to Transfer Files from OneDrive to iCloud

You might need to transfer files from OneDrive to iCloud to save space, create backups, or for more convenient access on iOS devices. This can be done using either a Mac or a PC.

How to Back Up Synology NAS Using Hard Drive Backup Software

Todo Backup Home is a user-friendly backup and data recovery software that enables you to easily back up your Synology NAS to an external hard drive, a cloud drive, a local drive, or another NAS device. It also assists in backing up Windows 10 to Synology NAS.

You can arrange for incremental backups of your Synology NAS data using Todo Backup Home to occur at predefined times during the day or week.

Todo Backup Home also aids in backing up your hard drive data and cloning your Windows 10 hard drive with its free software (Free Windows 10 HDD Clone Software). It offers much more functionality. This is an award-winning backup and restoration software, backed by 14 years of experience, and is acknowledged as one of the industry leaders.

Here's how to back up your Synology NAS using Todo Backup Home: 1. Download and Install Todo Backup Home: Visit the official website of Todo Backup Home and download the software for your computer operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Install it following the on-screen instructions. 2. Launch Todo Backup Home: Once installed, open the application on your computer. You'll be prompted to activate or register the software if needed. 3. Connect to Your Synology NAS: In the Todo Backup Home interface, look for an option to add a new backup source. Select "NAS Server" or "Network Device." Enter the IP address or hostname of your Synology NAS in the provided field, along with the login credentials (username and password). 4. Choose the Data to Backup: After connecting to your NAS, you'll see a list of available shared folders and volumes. Select the ones you want to back up, or choose the entire NAS for a comprehensive backup. 5. Choose a Destination for the Backup: Decide where you want to store the backup files. You can choose another local drive on your computer, another network location, or even another cloud storage service supported by Todo Backup Home. 6. Configure Backup Settings: Customize your backup plan by choosing between a full backup, incremental, or differential backup. Set up scheduling options, such as running the backup daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also enable encryption to secure your data. 7. Start the Backup Process: Click on "Backup Now" to initiate the first backup. This may take some time depending on the size of the data and your network speed. 8. Monitor and Schedule Future Backups: Todo Backup Home will display the progress of your backup. Once completed, you can schedule future backups according to your preferences. Ensure the software is running periodically to keep your Synology NAS data up-to-date. 9. Perform a Restore if Needed: In case of data loss or recovery needs, launch Todo Backup Home, select the backup image, and choose the restore option. Follow the prompts to recover your files or entire NAS configuration. Remember to keep your backup destination safe and up-to-date to ensure the effectiveness of your backup strategy.

Step 1. Click the "Select backup contents" button to initiate the backup process.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail. Click File.

Step 3. Both local and network files will be listed on the left. You can expand the directory to select the files to back up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the location where you want to save the backup.

Click "Options" to encrypt the backup with a password in "Backup Options", set the backup schedule, and choose to start the backup at a specific event in "Backup Scheme". There are numerous other options available for you to explore, allowing you to customize the backup task according to your needs.

Step 5. You can save the backup to your local drive, the tool's cloud service, or a NAS device.

Step 6. Todo Backup allows users to back up data to both third-party cloud drives and its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add a Cloud Device, add and log in to your account.

You can also opt for the tool's native cloud drive. Click on Tools Cloud, sign up with your Tools Account, and log in.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to initiate the backup process. Once the backup task is completed, it will be displayed as a card on the left side of the panel. You can right-click the backup task to access additional management options.

How to Back Up Synology NAS to the Cloud

First, you need to verify if your Synology NAS is running the latest DSM 7.0 or at least DSM 6.0.

After ensuring that, here's how to back up your Synology NAS data to the cloud using Hyper Backup: 1. **Log in to DSM (DiskStation Manager):** Access your Synology NAS through a web browser by entering its IP address or domain name followed by ":5000" (e.g., `http://192.168.1.100:5000`). 2. **Open the Package Center:** Click on the "Package Center" icon on the desktop or find it under "Control Panel" > "Apps." 3. **Install Hyper Backup:** In the "Package Center," search for "Hyper Backup" in the "All" tab, then click "Install" to download and install the application. 4. **Launch Hyper Backup:** Once installed, click on the "Hyper Backup" app from the desktop or find it under "Control Panel" > "Backup & Restore." 5. **Create a new backup task:** Click on the "Backup Task" tab and then "+ Create" to start a new backup task. Give it a descriptive name. 6. **Select source:** Choose the data you want to back up by selecting the appropriate folders or volumes from the "Source" section. 7. **Choose destination:** In the "Destination" section, select "Cloud" as the backup destination. Then, choose the cloud service you want to use (e.g., Google Drive, Amazon S3, or Microsoft Azure). 8. **Configure cloud credentials:** Enter your cloud service account details to authorize access. Follow the prompts to authenticate and connect to your cloud storage. 9. **Set up backup schedule:** In the "Task Schedule" section, configure when you want the backups to run (daily, weekly, monthly, or on-demand). 10. **Fine-tune settings (optional):** You can customize compression level, encryption options, and other advanced settings according to your needs. 11. **Save and start the backup:** Review your settings, and click "Apply" to save the task. You can choose to start the backup immediately or wait for the scheduled time. Now your Synology NAS data will be backed up to the cloud according to the settings you've configured using Hyper Backup. Remember to regularly check the backup status and update your backups as needed.

Set up a backup task:

Step 1. Log in to DSM and download Hyper Backup from the Package Center if you haven't already.

Step 2. Launch Hyper Backup.

Step 3. Click on the "+" icon in the bottom left corner to select the "Data backup task" option.

Step 4. Choose "Synology C2 Storage" from the Synology section under the Backup Destination menu, or select a third-party cloud service platform, and then click "Next".

Step 5. Sign in to your cloud using your account credentials.

Step 6. Choose "Create backup task".

Step 7. Select the folder that you chose to back up or the application.

Step 8. Configure the backup settings as needed, and then do the following:

Task: Assign a name to the backup task.

Enable task notification: Configure task notifications to receive updates on progress via email, push service, or SMS.

Bandwidth Limit: Allocate your internet resources more efficiently by setting a bandwidth limit. (This option is only available when backing up data to Synology C2 Storage).

Enable scheduled backup: Activate automatic backups to back up your data at a specified time automatically.

Enable integrity check: Turn on integrity check and schedule it to automatically scan for file corruption.

Enable client-side encryption: Encrypt your backup data using a password to protect it from unauthorized access. You will also require this password to download backups from the cloud. Hence, it's crucial to remember your password after encrypting your backup, as forgetting it may result in losing access to your backup data.

Toggle on "Enable backup rotation" by selecting the option to set up a rotation schedule and opt for the following settings.

Delete existing backups: Deletes previous backup versions once you've exceeded the maximum number that you can save.

Smart Recycle: This helps the system replace old backups with new ones once the maximum number of backup versions is reached.

Maximum number of backup versions to store: Specify a limit for the number of backup versions that will be retained.

Timeline: Displays the number of backups that were replaced and how many older backups will be replaced.

Step 1. Click "Apply" to finish the backup setup.

Step 2. Click "Yes" to start the backup immediately.

Backup using Cloud Sync This means "Backup using Cloud Sync" in English. It refers to the process of creating a backup of your data by synchronizing it with a cloud-based service, ensuring that your information is securely stored and can be easily accessed or restored from the cloud.

Step 2. Sign in to your cloud service platform and authorize Cloud Sync to access your account.

Step 3. Once permission is granted, configure your backup.

Step 4. Choose a "remote" and "local path".

Step 5. Choose a "Sync direction" and select the following:

If you wish to back up a folder to the cloud from your Synology NAS, select "Upload local changes only" and opt for "Do not remove data in the destination when it's removed in the source."

If necessary, check "Data Encryption" to protect your backups with a password, preventing unauthorized access. You'll need to enter this password when downloading the folder from the cloud, so it's crucial to keep the password securely stored. However, please note that the folder on your Synology NAS will remain unencrypted.

Step 6. Click "Next". If you want to customize certain sync settings, click "Advanced Settings". You can use this to deselect the types of files and file categories you don't want to back up. Then, click "OK".

Step 8. To finish the backup process, click "Apply." If encryption is enabled, a .zip file containing the key will start downloading to your computer. Save this .zip file in a secure location.

How to Back Up Synology NAS Using USB Copy

To create a backup of your Synology NAS data onto a USB drive, you'll need to ensure that your Synology NAS is running the latest DSM (DiskStation Manager) version 7.0 or 6.0. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. **Connect the USB Drive**: First, connect your USB drive to one of the available USB ports on your Synology NAS. 2. **Launch DSM**: Access your Synology NAS by opening a web browser and entering its IP address in the address bar. Log in using your administrator credentials. 3. **Open Control Panel**: Once logged in, click on the "Control Panel" icon in the main menu on the left. 4. **Backup/Restore**: In the Control Panel, locate and click on "Backup & Restore." 5. **Create Backup**: On the Backup & Restore page, click on the "Create Backup" button. 6. **Select Source**: In the "Select Source" section, choose the data or volume(s) you wish to back up from your NAS. 7. **Choose Destination**: Under "Select Destination," select the connected USB drive as your backup destination. 8. **Backup Settings**: You can customize your backup settings, such as scheduling regular backups, enabling encryption, or choosing to compress the data. 9. **Start Backup**: After configuring the settings, click on "Next" and then "Apply" to initiate the backup process. The NAS will now start copying the selected data to the USB drive. 10. **Monitor Progress**: You can monitor the progress of the backup in the "Task List" section of the Backup & Restore page. Once the backup is complete, remember to safely eject the USB drive from your Synology NAS to prevent any data corruption. This way, you'll have a secure copy of your NAS data stored on an external device.

"Back up with Hyper Backup:"

Step 1. Download Hyper Backup if you haven't already done so.

Step 2. Launch Hyper Backup.

Step 3. Click on the "+" icon in the bottom left corner of the backup wizard, then select "Data Backup."

Step 4. Select "Local Folder & USB" in the Backup Destination window, then click "Next".

Step 5. Next, select "Create backup task" and choose the USB drive connected to your Synology NAS.

Step 6. Select the folder or applications you want to back up to your USB drive.

Step 7. Configure the backup settings as described in our previous step (Backing up Synology NAS to the cloud).

Step 8. Check the "Enable backup rotation" box.

Step 9. Select "Apply" and then click "Yes" to initiate the backup process. Wait for it to complete successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Backing Up Synology NAS 1. What is Synology NAS? - Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a device that combines storage, computing power, and network connectivity to provide centralized data storage, backup, and various other services for home and business users. 2. Why should I back up my Synology NAS? - Backing up your Synology NAS ensures the safety of your data in case of hardware failures, accidental deletion, or other disasters. It provides an additional layer of protection and enables you to recover lost files quickly. 3. How can I back up my Synology NAS? - You can back up your Synology NAS using built-in features like Synology's Hyper Backup or DSM (DiskStation Manager) Backup & Restore. External hard drives, other NAS devices, or cloud services can be used as backup destinations. 4. Does Synology NAS support incremental backups? - Yes, Synology NAS supports incremental backups, which only copy the changes made since the last backup, saving time and storage space. 5. Can I schedule automatic backups on Synology NAS? - Absolutely! Synology NAS allows you to set up scheduled backup tasks to run at specific times, ensuring your data is always up-to-date. 6. Is it possible to encrypt my backups on Synology NAS? - Yes, Synology NAS offers encryption options for your backups, providing an extra layer of security to protect your sensitive data. 7. Can I restore individual files from a Synology NAS backup? - Yes, you can selectively restore individual files or folders from a backup, without needing to restore the entire backup image. 8. How many versions of backups can I keep on Synology NAS? - This depends on the backup software you're using and the available storage. With Synology's Hyper Backup, you can configure the number of versions to retain based on your needs. 9. Can I backup data from multiple Synology NAS devices to one central location? - Yes, you can use Synology's Central Management System (CMS) to manage and backup data from multiple NAS devices to a central location. 10. Are there any third-party backup solutions compatible with Synology NAS? - Yes, several third-party backup applications, such as Veeam, Acronis True Image, and Nakivo, offer support for backing up Synology NAS devices. Remember, it's crucial to have a robust backup strategy in place to safeguard your valuable data. Always consult Synology's official documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Here are a few additional details about Synology NAS that we believe will be of interest to you.

1. How do I backup my Synology NAS to an external hard drive? To back up your Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to an external hard drive, follow these steps: 1. **Connect the External Hard Drive**: Connect the external hard drive to one of the USB ports on your Synology NAS. Make sure the drive is powered on and properly recognized by the system. 2. **Install Backup & Restore Package**: Log in to your Synology NAS using DSM (DiskStation Manager). Navigate to the "Package Center" and search for "Backup & Restore." Install the package if it's not already installed. 3. **Create a Backup Task**: After installing Backup & Restore, open the application. Click on "Create Task" and select "Local Backup." 4. **Select Source**: In the "Source" section, choose the folders or shared folders you want to back up from your Synology NAS. 5. **Select Destination**: In the "Destination" section, click "Add" and then choose the connected external hard drive as the backup destination. 6. **Configure Backup Settings**: You can customize the backup settings such as schedule (daily, weekly, etc.), retention policy, and compression options. Click "Next" after configuring. 7. **Verify and Save**: Review the settings and ensure they meet your requirements. If everything looks correct, click "Save" to create the backup task. 8. **Run the Backup**: You can manually run the backup by clicking "Run Now," or it will run according to the schedule you set. 9. **Monitor Backup Progress**: Check the Backup & Restore app to monitor the progress of the backup process. Once completed, your Synology NAS will be backed up to the external hard drive. Remember to regularly check the backup for consistency and update it as needed to ensure the latest data is saved.

You can back up your Synology NAS to an external hard drive by following the same process you would use for uploading to a USB drive, which is by choosing the "Local Folder & USB" option.

2. What is the best way to back up a NAS? The best way to back up a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device depends on your specific needs, but here are some general methods you can consider: 1. **External Hard Drives**: Connect an external hard drive to your NAS and use its built-in backup software or third-party tools like rsync, Synology's HyperBackup, QNAP's Qsync, or FreeNAS' ZFS snapshots to create local backups. 2. **Cloud Backup**: Utilize a cloud backup service like Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or use native cloud backup features offered by your NAS vendor (e.g., Synology Cloud Station Backup, QNAP's TSync). This provides offsite protection and ensures data safety in case of physical disasters. 3. **Secondary NAS**: Set up another NAS device as a backup target. You can configure it to mirror the data from your primary NAS using RAID configurations, replication, or synchronization tools. 4. **Local Server or PC**: Backup your NAS to a local server or a dedicated backup PC using backup software that supports network backups. 5. **Incremental and Differential Backups**: Schedule regular incremental or differential backups to save only the changes made since the last full backup, reducing storage requirements. 6. **Versioning**: Enable versioning in your backup solution to keep multiple versions of files, allowing you to restore previous states if needed. 7. **Encryption**: Ensure your backups are encrypted, both during transfer and at rest, to protect sensitive data. Remember, the ideal backup strategy involves a combination of these methods for redundancy and to minimize downtime in case of data loss. Always test your backups to ensure they're reliable and recoverable.

From a security perspective, one of the most effective methods to back up a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device is to store the backup on an external hard drive. However, this process typically requires manual initiation each time you want to perform a backup.

3. Can Synology NAS back up to the cloud?

Yes, you can indeed back up your Synology NAS to the cloud. For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to perform this backup, please refer to the solutions provided above.

4. How does Synology backup work? Synology backup works by providing a comprehensive solution for data protection and recovery on your Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) device. It offers various backup methods to ensure that your files, applications, and system configurations are secure. Here's an overview of how it typically functions: 1. **Synology Hyper Backup:** This is Synology's built-in backup software that allows you to create scheduled backups of your NAS to local or remote destinations. You can back up to another Synology NAS, external drives, or cloud services like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, or Synology's own Cloud Station Backup. 2. **Local Backup:** You can configure Synology Hyper Backup to create copies of your data on a separate volume or shared folder within your NAS. This ensures quick recovery in case of any local failures. 3. **Remote Backup:** To protect against site-wide disasters, you can set up a backup target on another Synology NAS or a supported third-party server. This enables you to recover your data even if your primary NAS is lost or damaged. 4. **Versioning and Retention Policy:** Synology backup supports multiple versions of your files, allowing you to restore previous versions if needed. You can also set retention policies to manage the number of backup versions stored. 5. **Application Backup:** In addition to file backup, Synology's backup solution can also protect installed applications, such as databases or websites, ensuring a complete recovery. 6. **System Backup and Restore:** With Synology's System Backup feature, you can create a snapshot of your entire NAS configuration, including system settings, package installations, and user accounts. This allows you to quickly restore your NAS to a specific point in time. 7. **Encryption:** All backups can be encrypted to ensure data privacy and security during transmission and storage. 8. **Backup Scheduling and Automation:** Synology backup can be automated with customizable schedules, so your data is consistently protected without manual intervention. 9. **Verification and Monitoring:** After a backup, you can verify its integrity and monitor backup status to ensure successful completion. By utilizing these features, Synology backup provides a robust and flexible backup strategy to safeguard your valuable data against various potential threats.

Synology uses Hyper Backup to create an incremental backup of data that has been modified or newly created, to an external drive or the cloud.

Conclusion

The Synology NAS employs its backup software, Hyper Backup, to safeguard data by backing it up to the cloud or storing it locally on an external drive. Configuring the backup settings through Hyper Backup is a rather time-consuming process.

That's where tools like Todo Backup come in to simplify the backup and restoration process. Todo Backup is a comprehensive solution for all your backup requirements - it allows you to back up your hard disk, create system images, clone your hard drive, and offers many other features.