One primary working copy plus two independent backups.
MAZENHARD NAS PLANNING TOOLS
Backup Copies: build a recoverable NAS plan
Choose independent local and offsite copies, estimate version-history capacity and check your NAS backup plan against practical 3-2-1 protection principles.
Local backupOffsite copyVersion history3-2-1 planningRestore testing
STEP 3 OF NAS PLANNING
Decide how many recoverable copies you need
A NAS can centralize and protect your working files, but it can still be affected by deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, water damage, software errors and hardware failure.
This tool separates your primary NAS copy from independent local and offsite backups, then adds an allowance for previous file versions.
INTERACTIVE BACKUP PLANNER
Build your copy and capacity plan
Start with the projected data you want protected. If you have not forecast annual growth yet, use the Annual Growth planning tool first.THE 3-2-1 PRINCIPLE
A memorable starting point for important data
Avoid making every copy dependent on the same hardware, account or failure mode.
Keep a protected copy away from disasters affecting the primary location.
3-2-1 is a starting principle, not a guarantee. Very valuable or business-critical data may require immutable copies, multiple regions, longer retention, tighter recovery objectives and documented testing.
WHAT COUNTS AS A COPY?
Independence matters more than drive count
Your NAS storage pool
The whole RAID array counts as one working copy—even when it contains several disks.
A separate backup target
An external drive or second NAS can count when it has its own retained copy and is protected from ordinary deletion.
A separate location
Encrypted cloud storage or another secured building can protect against a site-wide event.
RAID parity or mirrors
Redundant drives improve availability but remain inside the same system and administrative boundary.
BACKUP METHODS
Choose targets with different strengths
| Method | Best strength | Main limitation | Good practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB HDD or SSD | Affordable local capacity and fast restore | Can be lost, damaged or infected when connected | Rotate drives and disconnect one copy |
| Second NAS | Automation and large network backups | Higher cost and shared-account risk | Use separate credentials and preferably another location |
| Cloud object storage | Offsite protection and geographic separation | Recurring storage, retrieval and bandwidth costs | Encrypt, monitor jobs and understand restore fees |
| Cloud backup service | Managed backup workflow | Provider limits, retention and platform compatibility | Verify supported NAS apps and test restores |
| Computer sync folder | Convenient access and synchronization | Deletion or corruption may synchronize too | Pair sync with versioned independent backup |
| Snapshot | Fast rollback on the same storage system | Can disappear with the pool or device | Use alongside external and offsite copies |
VERSION HISTORY
One backup copy can contain many points in time
Why versions need extra space
If a 20TB dataset changes by 200GB each day, a backup retaining previous states needs room beyond the latest 20TB. Deleted-file retention, snapshots, metadata, compression and block-level deduplication all change the actual requirement.
The planner’s version-history allowance is deliberately simple. Confirm capacity with the backup application after observing a real change rate.
RANSOMWARE RESILIENCE
Prevent one compromised account from reaching every copy
Do not give everyday user accounts unrestricted access to backup repositories.
When supported, prevent alteration or deletion for a defined retention period.
Keep at least one backup disconnected and physically protected between backup jobs.
Protect NAS, cloud and backup administration with strong unique credentials and MFA.
Monitor failed jobs, unusual deletions, capacity limits and changes to protection settings.
Keep NAS firmware, apps, clients and backup tools supported and current.
RESTORE PLANNING
A backup is useful only if recovery works
File restore
Recover a deleted document and an older version to confirm normal recovery.
Folder restore
Restore permissions, names and structure to a safe test location.
Application restore
Document databases, container data, settings, encryption keys and app dependencies.
Full-system scenario
Know how you would recover if the entire NAS were unavailable or destroyed.
RPO · Recovery Point ObjectiveHow much recent data can you afford to lose?
A four-hour RPO usually requires backups at least every four hours.
RTO · Recovery Time ObjectiveHow long can recovery take?
Large cloud restores may take longer than recovery from local storage.
BACKUP CHECKLIST
Before trusting the plan
List protected folders, applications, settings and devices—as well as intentional exclusions.
Match backup frequency to how much recent work you can afford to lose.
Keep enough versions to recover from problems discovered weeks or months later.
Protect backup data in transit and at rest while preserving recovery keys securely.
Review job success, capacity, integrity reports and offsite connectivity.
Perform recurring sample restores and document full-disaster recovery steps.
PLANNING PATH
Keep primary storage and backup storage separate
Current files
Measure unique data today.
Annual growth
Forecast the future dataset.
Backup copies
Choose independent recovery layers.
NAS and drives
Add headroom and RAID overhead.
FAQ
Backup-copy planning questions
Does RAID 1 count as two backup copies?
No. Both mirrored drives are members of the same array and system. RAID 1 improves availability after a drive failure, but the array counts as one primary copy.
Is a NAS snapshot a backup?
A local snapshot is valuable for quick rollback, but it can be lost with the storage pool or NAS. Replicated snapshots on an independently protected system can form part of a backup strategy.
How many backup copies do I need?
Two independent backups—one local and one offsite—are a strong starting point for important data. Risk, regulation, recovery time and data value may justify more.
Must every file be backed up offsite?
No. Irreplaceable and business-critical data deserves priority. Replaceable downloads or temporary files may use a different policy, but classify them deliberately.
How much extra space does versioning require?
It depends on daily change rate, retention, compression, deduplication and deletion behavior. Begin with an allowance, then use real backup reports to refine it.
Is cloud sync the same as cloud backup?
Not necessarily. Sync can reproduce deletion or corruption across devices. A backup should provide protected retention and a tested restore path.
How often should backups run?
Set frequency from your recovery point objective. If losing one day of changes is unacceptable, once-daily backup is not enough.
Should an external backup drive stay connected?
Continuous connection simplifies automation but exposes the drive to some shared risks. Rotating and disconnecting a copy can improve isolation.
Should I encrypt offsite backups?
Usually yes for sensitive data. Protect encryption keys separately because losing them can make a healthy backup unrecoverable.
How often should I test recovery?
Test sample files regularly and after configuration changes. Run a broader recovery exercise on a schedule appropriate to the data’s importance.
READY TO SIZE THE COMPLETE SYSTEM?
Add backup copies to your NAS plan
Calculate primary usable capacity, RAID overhead, practical drive sizes and independent backup storage.Educational planning estimate only. Backup capacity, retention, immutability, costs and restore behavior vary by application and provider. Protect credentials and encryption keys, monitor every job and test recovery before relying on a backup system.