Hi Guys,

I currently have an internal 6tb drive as an unassigned device, mounted via script to backup important files. Owing to its locality, this is a point of failure as a backup, but its mainly if an array drive fails, etc. The backups run using rClone and use --backup-dir if a file is deleted, etc.

I want to use several external Samsung SSD drives like the T7 to run a monthly synced backup of data folders like Nextcloud and PhotoPrism.

 

I wanted drives that are light, so I can carry them offsite in my bag and leave them at work, in case the house burns down.

 

The backup drives won't be used for anything other than this, ie. I won't be plugging them into Windows to show the family photos, etc.

Currently, they are exFat drives, which is a concern from a reliability point of view. Would it make more sense to format them as XFS, Ext3, Ext4?

I've been slowly moving away from Windows over the years (the OS gets worse every release), so it makes sense to do this. I know XFS is not really meant for small drives, however I've just started using the File Integrity plugin. I assume with rClone scripted to make the backups, I could also include the hash files onto the drive for integrity checking if restored to another device?

 

Does this make sense? Ideally, a back up NAS would be more practical and probably a better way to go down the line.

 

I forgot to add, the mechanical backup drive will do the regular weekly and monthly backups using rClone sync with --backup-dir to create an incremental backup of sorts.

The SSDs will keep an alternate monthly synced copy so I always have the latest version.

20 minutes ago, Geck0 said:

Would it make more sense to format them as XFS, Ext3, Ext4?

I would prefer not use ext3, ext4 such outdate filesystem.

 

20 minutes ago, Geck0 said:

Does this make sense? Ideally, a back up NAS would be more practical and probably a better way to go down the line.

All have pros/cons, backup NAS usually in large capacity and eliminate fault during plug / unplug.

 

20 minutes ago, Geck0 said:

carry them offsite in my bag and leave them at work, in case the house burns down.

 That's great, I have a 20 disks heavy duty box to store backup disks, I also think of that ..... but never offsite due to many reason.

 

PS: all live and backup disk in BTRFS and hashed, I won't restore/backup under Windows.

Edited July 17, 20223 yr by Vr2Io

Ask yourself... Who are you backing up for?

 

I use NTSF for "family" backup stuff because they're only going to know how to plug a drive into a Windows or Mac.

 

My own backup (system stuff), I use XFS because it works well with Unraid and can be read easily by a lot of different Linux systems.

 

MrGrey.

 

The idea is a portable backup, not removable media. So at least we have the latest copy of important files, photos,etc if something tragic happens.

I wouldn't expect family member to be pluggin in backups to view files.

 

I will go with XFS, thanks for your input.