I am back from holidays and alone at home these days. It is good time to strengthen my backup methodology and get a fully automated Rsync.
After long searches and trial and error, I have settled on to Rsync for the daily backup of personal data. Rsync is a *nix method of backing up data. The difference is it only transmits the changed part of the file which makes the backup time really short (after initial full backup off course).
I am still using Ghost for the whole HD image but that is another story.
I have used DeltaCopy latest version for both my Vista Ultimate laptop and my wife’s XP. Download and install this little application.
Run “DeltaCopy Server” at the end of the installation and create a service as explained on the application window. Enter a username and password but change it to Local System account from the Services panel later.
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Allow port 873 to be accessible on your Windows firewall.
And make it accessible only from internal addresses.
We need to tell to Rsync service about the directories that we want to backup so that those can be served on the wire. From the “DeltaCopy Server” application go to the “Virtual Directories” tab.
And setup the folder that you want to backup onto ReadyNAS.
Now everything is set and ready to go. Get into the admin panel of your ReadyNAS and schedule a backup. Select “Remote: Rsync Server” from the list of backup types and enter “computer name::backup” to the path text box. Replace the “computer name” with your computer name or IP address.
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Click on “Test Connection” button to see if ReadyNAS can access your shares over Rsync.
On Step 2 choose where you want to save the backup and on Step 3 define the schedule.
On Step 4 adjust other options. If you want to keep deleted files in the backup check the “Remove deleted files on backup target” so that files can stay in backup even though they are deleted from the source.
Click on Apply button on the bottom right corner and you are ready to backup. If you are backing up the entire user directory, it is better that you logoff from your computer and run the backup job from the button on the ReadyNAS’ front panel. Setup the jobs in a sequence for the backup button so that they can be fired out of schedule. Don’t forget to click on “Apply” button to keep your settings.
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You can try the backup jobs by clicking on “Go” button.
This is the beauty of set & forget. Now I don’t need to worry about synchronisation of my crucial and highly important files and pictures. 
Have nice backups…
