As a newcomer to Home Clouds, I recently purchased the DS224+ to ensure that, in the event of a catastrophe such as a flood or fire, my wife or I could quickly grab the unit if we have time. Alongside this, I plan to perform monthly backups onto a portable 10TB external hard drive, which will be stored at my daughter’s house.
My main objective is to back up the actual directories and files, including all images and videos—in a way that allows my family to have easy access and use them. Ideally, these backups should be compatible with both Apple and Microsoft computers so that family members can simply connect the backup drive to their own devices and immediately access the content.
There are several backup options available, such as Hyper Backup, Active Backup, Hyper Backup for Business, and Active Backup for Business… I find the various options somewhat confusing, but I see the immense value for households in having a simple, reliable backup for important family files, pictures, and videos.
In the future, I plan to access my files on the cloud while traveling, once I have everything properly set up and am comfortable with the Home Cloud technology.
While watching instructional videos has been helpful, I am still uncertain about the best approach.
Additionally, I want to utilize Synology Photos for managing family pictures, but I am unsure how this will work for my children.
- Will my children need a Synology device on their computers to access features like timelines, facial recognition, and date organization for family photos?
- Or should they use their own photo management software to create new libraries with backed-up photos?
- Where does the Synology Photo App actually store its photo library—on the computer, on the NAS, or both?
I am eager to set up and begin using this Home Cloud system and hope to find guidance on the best way to move forward.
Thanks!