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Knowledge Article: NAS Migration and Offsite Backup Implementation Plan⚓︎

Overview⚓︎

This document outlines a comprehensive plan for migrating data from a Synology DS918+ to a DS1821+ while establishing an offsite backup solution. The implementation uses SHR2 for primary storage and SHR for backup storage, creating a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy with enterprise-grade data protection.

Hardware Components⚓︎

Primary Storage (DS1821+)⚓︎

  • NAS Device: Synology DS1821+ (8-bay)
  • Drives:
    • 6x 8TB drives (4 existing + 2 new)
    • 2x 4TB drives
  • RAID Configuration: SHR2
  • Total Capacity: 36.3TB
  • Initial Data Size: 10.3TB
  • UPS: APC 1500C with automated safe shutdown
  • Location: Home (Sea Cliff, NY area)

Offsite Backup (DS918+)⚓︎

  • NAS Device: Synology DS918+ (4-bay)
  • Drives:
    • 2x 16TB drives
    • 2x 2TB drives (planned for future upgrade)
  • RAID Configuration: SHR
  • Total Capacity: 18.2TB
  • UPS: APC BR1500MS2 with automated safe shutdown
  • Location: Dad's house (~5 minutes away)

Implementation Plan⚓︎

Phase 1: Primary NAS Initial Setup⚓︎

  1. Purchase 2x additional 8TB drives
  2. Move all 4x 8TB drives from DS918+ to DS1821+ (containing existing data)
  3. Install 2x new 8TB drives + 2x 4TB drives in remaining DS1821+ bays
  4. Power on and set up DSM on the DS1821+
  5. Create new SHR2 volume using ONLY 2x new 8TB + 2x 4TB drives (14.5TB usable)
  6. Leave the 4x 8TB RAID 5 untouched temporarily

Phase 2: Data Migration⚓︎

  1. Mount existing RAID 5 volume (4x 8TB) in DS1821+ as a separate volume
  2. Copy all data (10.3TB) from RAID 5 to new SHR2 volume
  3. Verify data integrity after migration completes
  4. Once verified, deactivate and delete old RAID 5 volume/storage pool

Phase 3: Storage Expansion⚓︎

  1. Add the 4x 8TB drives (from old RAID 5) to the SHR2 volume
  2. Allow volume expansion and rebuilding (several days process)
  3. DS1821+ now fully operational with 36.3TB capacity in SHR2

Phase 4: Backup NAS Local Setup⚓︎

  1. Return the DS224+ (no longer needed)
  2. Prepare DS918+ while still at home:
  3. Install 2x 16TB drives (from DS224+) + 2x 2TB drives
  4. Create a fresh SHR volume (18.2TB capacity)
  5. Set up DSM and configure security settings
  6. Configure Hyper Backup on DS1821+ targeting the local DS918+
  7. Execute initial full backup (faster over local network)
  8. Test restore procedures to verify backup integrity

Phase 5: Offsite Deployment⚓︎

  1. Pause all backup tasks on DS1821+
  2. Shut down DS918+ properly
  3. Transport DS918+ to dad's house
  4. Set up network connectivity at remote location
  5. Update backup destination IP in Hyper Backup on DS1821+
  6. Resume regular backup schedule
  7. Configure remote access for management if needed

Phase 6: Configuration Finalization⚓︎

  1. Set retention policy in Hyper Backup (Smart Recycle with 256 versions)
  2. Create maintenance schedule for periodic verification
  3. Document all credentials and configurations

Application-Specific Configurations⚓︎

Immich Photo Management⚓︎

  • Installation: Docker-based deployment in /volume2/docker/immich-app
  • Components Backed Up:
    • library/ - Media files and thumbnails
    • postgres/ - Complete database with metadata, facial recognition, albums
    • .env - Configuration variables and secrets
    • docker-compose.yml - Container configuration
  • Mobile Apps: Configured for both primary user and spouse with automatic backup
  • Backup Strategy: Complete application state backup ensures full restoration capability

Google Photos Integration⚓︎

  • Primary Storage: Google Photos serves as additional cloud backup
  • Philosophy: Maintained to avoid single-point-of-failure while minimizing cloud dependency
  • Access: Available for online access and sharing while maintaining local control

Technical Considerations⚓︎

RAID Selection Justification⚓︎

  • SHR2 for Primary NAS: Provides protection against simultaneous failure of any 2 drives. Critical for large arrays with extended rebuild times.
  • SHR for Backup NAS: Optimal for mixed drive sizes while providing single-drive redundancy, appropriate for a backup device.

Power Protection Strategy⚓︎

  • Primary Site: APC 1500C UPS with scripted safe shutdown during extended outages
  • Offsite: APC BR1500MS2 UPS with planned UPS communication cable installation for automated shutdown

Drive Replacement Path⚓︎

When upgrading the 2TB drives in the DS918+:

  1. Replace one 2TB drive with larger capacity
  2. Allow rebuild to complete
  3. Replace second 2TB drive
  4. Expand storage pool and volume

Security Configuration⚓︎

  • Network Access: Tailscale VPN for secure remote access
  • Authentication: OIDC integration configured
  • Physical Security:
    • Primary NAS: Elevated placement (5ft high), locked drive bays
    • Offsite NAS: Basement location (3ft elevation), locked drive bays

Backup Strategy⚓︎

3-2-1 Implementation⚓︎

  • 3+ copies: Primary (DS1821+), Google Photos, offsite (DS918+)
  • 2 different media types: NAS storage and cloud storage
  • 1 offsite copy: DS918+ at geographically separate location

Retention and Verification⚓︎

  • Smart Recycle: 256 versions maintained
  • Integrity Checks: Weekly automated verification via Hyper Backup
  • Manual Verification: Periodic restore testing completed

Monitoring and Maintenance⚓︎

Automated Monitoring⚓︎

  • Ntfy Notifications: Configured for both NAS units
  • Health Monitoring: Drive health, backup status, system alerts
  • UPS Status: Power condition monitoring at both sites

Maintenance Schedule⚓︎

  1. Weekly: Automated integrity checks via Hyper Backup
  2. Quarterly: Manual restore procedure testing
  3. Annually: Complete system restoration test to verify full recovery capability
  4. As Needed: DSM updates (delayed 2-4 weeks for stability)

Documentation Standards⚓︎

  • Comprehensive Documentation: All procedures and configurations documented
  • Family Access: Spouse informed of documentation location and basic procedures
  • Recovery Procedures: Step-by-step restoration processes documented

Risk Assessment and Mitigation⚓︎

Geographic Risk Analysis⚓︎

  • Historical Data: Two significant events in 35+ years (2003 blackout, Hurricane Sandy 2012)
  • Risk Tolerance: 5-minute separation provides protection against localized disasters while maintaining practical management
  • Mitigation: Dual-site protection covers realistic failure scenarios

Failure Scenarios Addressed⚓︎

  • Hardware Failure: SHR2 protects against dual drive failures
  • Site Disasters: Geographic separation between primary and backup
  • Power Outages: UPS protection with safe shutdown at both locations
  • Data Corruption: Version control with 256 retention points
  • Human Error: Multiple restore points and verification procedures
  • Cloud Service Issues: Local control maintains access independence

System Availability⚓︎

This configuration provides enterprise-grade availability through:

  • SHR2 redundancy: Dual drive failure protection on primary storage
  • Geographic redundancy: Separate backup location
  • Cloud backup: Additional copy via Google Photos
  • Power protection: UPS systems at both sites
  • Automated monitoring: Proactive issue detection
  • Comprehensive documentation: Enables recovery by family members

Data Loss Risk Assessment⚓︎

Data loss would require multiple simultaneous catastrophic failures:

  • Regional disaster affecting both locations AND Google Photos service failure
  • Complete hardware failure of both NAS units AND corruption of all local devices
  • Systematic corruption propagating through all 256 backup versions undetected

These scenarios represent statistically negligible risk and would likely indicate broader infrastructure collapse beyond individual data protection scope.