rsync, mounting network drives, and the DLink DNS-321
 

Hello.
I am 100% Linux Newbie. Thanks in advance for your patience.

I recently built a small Intel Atom 330 based server for my home. I'm using the Vortexbox Fedora-based OS to run the server (primarily used as a media server). So far everything is working great.

In addition to my media server, I've got a DLink DNS-321 NAS. I would like to setup a scheduled, incremental backup of my main server to the DLink NAS. I understand rsync is an excellent option, and am willing to undertake the task of setting it up on my server, but I am uncertain how to make it all happen with the DLink NAS. The NAS is very barebones, and I don't know if I can even install rsync on it. I don't even know if I can get to any kind of command line on the NAS box.

1. Can I mount the NAS drive on my main Linux server and then just run rsync on the server?

Thanks for your time.

Hayes

Hi there,

I currently have a DLink DNS-323 and it does not support rsync or at least not out of the box. I just looked up the DLink DNS-321 on the DLink website and it doesn't look like it does either. I am also unaware of a way to mount the networked drive unless its capable of NFS (network file share - linux systems). You can however connect via FTP or SMB (assuming this model has SMB (Samba)). If I were you I would probably try connecting via SMB over FTP. Due to your setup security won't really matter as you are only transferring data within your network (obviously and hopefully your network is behind a firewall (a router)).

If you want to try connecting to your NAS device you will need to do it one of two ways, the easiest way I know is explained very well via this RED HAT documentation: click here. The document includes both the GUI and command line method. Again I would suggest you use the command line method. This will get you going on how to connect to your NAS box, once connected you will have to learn some very basic scripting skills and how to use your systems crontab.

Hopefully this helps... post back with your thoughts! Take care.

Thanks for the reply.

Pretty sure the DNS-321 is capable of NFS. I don't know much of anything about it, but I know there is an option in the browser-based interface to select NFS or SMB. I've been using it as a server under the SMB option. Pretty sure the file system is ext2 or ext3, something like that.

The DNS-321, my home-made Vortexbox server, and my Windows 7 laptop are all functioning on my home network, and appear as network devices and/or drives in Windows.

Also, everything is behind a firewall.

Thanks.

That is cool because my DLink DNS-323 does not have an option for NFS. Anyway this link for Mounting NFS should help. Of course you will first have to activate it on your DNS-321 then try mounting it from the Fedora box.

So mounting your NAS would be like:
Let me know if this helps or if you need more info...

Excellent.
That's enough to get me started, anyway.

Thanks.

Good, I am happy to help! On a side note your question helped me to discover that the DNS-323 can now be modded (basically hacked)... See this wiki (DLINK DNS-323) if you are interested.

I am really jealous that DLINK hasn't provided a firmware upgrade for my device which would enable NFS support. Especially since you have the DNS-321... it only makes sense for them to release an update that would enable a user to setup NFS.

Cheers,

PS: if I actually do help you find success can you press the "thank"s button next to report and quote? LOL that would be great (I don't have a thanks yet :( )!

Genuine thanks for what you've already provided.
Didn't see the "thanks" button there.

I'll report back with any success.

LOL, great thank you and I eagerly await your results.