NAS Backup using LTO tape
Backup Scenarios
Every IT person will have a different idea on backup, especially these days with multiple options. I subscribe to the "3-2-1 Backup Strategy" I was thinking about using my primary FreeNAS, a second local hard drive RAID, and cloud object as the third. But, when I started putting my second RAID box together I started think of the hassle of keeping a second set of drives spinning. Also the cost was somewhat high, so I retreated back to a long proven IT backup strategy, TAPE! I know pretty low tech, but does have some advatages. It is fairly reliable for long term protection, it is cold i.e. I can throw the tapes in a box and have some assurance. I can also send those tapes easily to my off site backup location.
Backup Hardware
LTO tape is what I used back in the day. Ebay had a fair number of LTO5 tape drives for sale, I picked up an HP Ultrium 5 SAS tape drive for a couple hundred bucks. My HP Z800 box has SAS ports so the drive popped right in. I bought 10 tapes off Amazon for $180
Choosing a backup software
There are a ton of choices in how to run backups. I want something fairly straightforward, so I looked at the option available in default FreeNAS. Bacula is one that I have heard of before, but not run. I need something where the client and server are separate as my tape drive is not connected to my FreeNAS server.