Backup

Backup & Restore allows you to back up various kinds of data (system configurations, shared folders, and applications/packages) on your DiskStation, manually or by schedule. You can store the backup data in local shared folders, remote servers, and public clouds (Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, hicloud S3, and SFR NAS BACKUP). With Backup & Restore, each backup task can retain multiple backup versions and rotate them with Smart Recycle policies.

Data Backup

Backup & Restore offers various options of backup destinations and ways to set up a data backup task.

To create a data backup task:

  1. Click + on the bottom left corner, and select Data backup task to launch the Backup Wizard.
  2. Select the desired type of backup destination:
  3. Set up the desired type of your backup task:
  4. Follow the wizard's instructions to finish the settings. Select Enable client-side encryption to encrypt the data before transmission to ensure data safety in the backup destination.

Notes:

Backing up Windows ACL settings:

The Windows ACL settings of the files on the DiskStation may also be backed up depending on the file systems of the destination:

To export backup data to public clouds or remote Synology NAS:

When backing up a large amount of data to a public cloud, you are recommended to export the initial version to an external storage device (e.g. a USB drive) and deliver the device to the cloud service provider. There the device can get connected and upload data directly to the cloud. In this way, you can significantly reduce the time for the first backup.

  1. Click + on the bottom left corner, and select Remote Synology NAS or the desired cloud service provider.
  2. Select Export to a local shared folder (including an external storage device), and finish the settings. When prompted, select Enable client-side encryption for protected data backup.
  3. Deliver the external storage device to the remote Synology NAS or cloud service provider. Import the exported data from the external storage device.
  4. Once confirmed, return to Backup & Restore, and click Relink now.
  5. Follow the Relinking Wizard's instructions to link your DiskStation to the repository. A password/encryption key is needed if the data were exported encrypted.

Note:

To manage backup tasks:

Select a desired backup task on the left panel, and click the buttons below for corresponding management:

To rotate versions:

Backup rotation is a version management mechanism. It helps to manage backup versions by automatically deleting older, unnecessary versions and potentially freeing up storage space. You can enable this function at Task Settings or configure it when you create a backup task.

  1. Select the desired backup task on the left panel, and click Edit or Settings> Task Settings.
  2. Select Enable backup rotation, and choose the desired rotation mode:
  3. Specify the maximum number of versions. When the version number exceeds this number, the oldest version is rotated.
  4. If you have configured a repeated backup schedule at Schedule, you can preview how your backup versions will be retained and the earliest recovery point in the timeline.
  5. Click OK to save the settings.

Note:

Notes on Data Backup Tasks

For each type of backup tasks, please read the following notes for important setup details and troubleshooting tips.

Local backup tasks:

Remote rsync backup tasks:

Amazon S3 backup tasks:

Microsoft Azure backup tasks:

hicloud S3 backup tasks:

SFR NAS BACKUP backup tasks:

Other S3-compatible backup tasks:

LUN Backup*

You can use Local LUN Backup to back up the iSCSI LUNs on your DiskStation to local shared folders. You can also use Network LUN Backup (Synology server) to back up to another DiskStation.

To back up an iSCSI LUN:

  1. Click + on the bottom left corner and select LUN backup task.
  2. When you are prompted to choose a destination type, choose either of the following:
  3. When prompted, specify the backup destination and source LUN, and set the backup schedule.
  4. Follow the wizard to complete the setup.

After the backup task is created, the DiskStation will perform the backup task according to the schedule and store the backed up LUN at the destination. The backed up LUN is used for backup purpose only. To access the backup LUN, see To restore the backup LUN for more information.

Note:

About Full Backup and Incremental Backup:

DiskStation will perform a full backup of the selected LUN for the first time, and then perform incremental backup afterwards. However, if the shared folder name or directory name of the backup destination is changed, DiskStation will perform a full backup for the task again.

____
* Available on specific models only.