Creating a Snapshot Replica Job

Important:

When running a Snapshot Replica job for the first time, all data on the volume or LUN is transferred to the destination NAS. This may take a long time, depending on the network connection speed and the read/write speeds of both NAS devices.

Go to Storage & Snapshots > Snapshot Backup > Snapshot Replica.
Click Create a Replication Job.

The Create a Snapshot Replication Job wizard opens.
Optional: Specify a job name.
Click Next.
Select the source volume or LUN.

Specify the address of the destination NAS.

Perform one of the following actions.

Action	Destination NAS Location	Description
Manually specify the NAS address	LAN, WAN, Internet	Allows you to enter an IP address, hostname, or FQDN
Click Detect and then select a NAS from the list	LAN	Displays a list of all QNAP NAS devices on the local network
Click Local Host	Local NAS	Replicates snapshots between different storage pools on the same NAS

Specify an administrator account and password of the destination NAS.

Important:
For security reasons, QNAP does not recommend using the "admin" account.
Optional: Specify a port.

Tip:
The default port is 22.
Click Test.

Important:
If prompted, complete 2-step verification. This is required if the destination NAS has enabled 2-step verification.

QTS connects to the destination NAS using the specified administrator password, and checks that there is sufficient storage space.
Click Next.
Select the destination storage pool.
Click Next.

Select a backup plan.

Backup Plan	Description
Start replication job after taking a local snapshot	The replica job will run each time QTS creates the specified number of snapshots. These snapshots may be created manually or on a schedule.
Start replication job on a schedule	The replica job runs according to the specified schedule, and replicates all snapshots created since it was last run. If no new snapshots were created, it will not replicate any data. Choose one of the following scheduling options, and then click Add. Run on a schedule: The job automatically runs daily, weekly, or monthly. Settings: Schedule: How often the job runs Day: The day that the job runs on Expiration date: The replica job stops running after this date Frequency: How often the job runs on the days specified by "Schedule" and "Day" Start at: The time that the job starts running. Repeat until: The time that the job stops running. Run once: The job runs once on a specific time and day.
Manual backup	The job does not run unless a user starts it.

Backup Plan

Description

Start replication job after taking a local snapshot

The replica job will run each time QTS creates the specified number of snapshots. These snapshots may be created manually or on a schedule.

Start replication job on a schedule

The replica job runs according to the specified schedule, and replicates all snapshots created since it was last run. If no new snapshots were created, it will not replicate any data.

Choose one of the following scheduling options, and then click Add.

Run on a schedule: The job automatically runs daily, weekly, or monthly. Settings:
- Schedule: How often the job runs
- Day: The day that the job runs on
- Expiration date: The replica job stops running after this date
- Frequency: How often the job runs on the days specified by "Schedule" and "Day"
- Start at: The time that the job starts running.
- Repeat until: The time that the job stops running.
Run once: The job runs once on a specific time and day.

Manual backup

The job does not run unless a user starts it.

Specify how many replicated snapshots will be kept on the destination NAS.

After the specified number is reached, QTS will delete the oldest snapshot each time it replicates a new snapshot.
Click Next.

Optional: Configure transfer settings.

Setting	Description
Encrypt transfer	QTS encrypts the snapshot before replicating it. SSH connections must be allowed on the destination NAS. The job must be run by an administrator account. The port used by this job must be the same as the SSH port on the destination NAS.
Compress transfer	QTS compresses snapshots when replicating them. This consumes more CPU and system memory, but reduces the amount of bandwidth required. Tip: Enable this setting in low bandwidth networks, or if the NAS devices are connected through a WAN.
Maximum transfer speed	Limits how much network bandwidth this job uses

Setting

Description

Encrypt transfer

QTS encrypts the snapshot before replicating it.

SSH connections must be allowed on the destination NAS.
The job must be run by an administrator account.
The port used by this job must be the same as the SSH port on the destination NAS.

Compress transfer

QTS compresses snapshots when replicating them. This consumes more CPU and system memory, but reduces the amount of bandwidth required.

Tip:

Enable this setting in low bandwidth networks, or if the NAS devices are connected through a WAN.

Maximum transfer speed

Limits how much network bandwidth this job uses

Optional: Export the source data to an external storage device.

To save time and bandwidth, you can export the source data to a connected external storage device such as a USB disk. After connecting the external storage device to the destination NAS, QTS will import the source data when the job is next run.
1. Connect an external storage device to the NAS.
2. Select Export source data to external storage device on first run.
3. Select the external storage device.
4. Optional: Select Skip the export if you have already exported the source data to the external storage device.
Click Next.
Optional: Select Execute backup immediately.

When enabled, the job will run immediately after being created.
Review the job information.
Click Finish.

QTS creates the job.
Optional: If you chose to export source data to an external storage device, disconnect the storage device from the source NAS and connect it to the destination NAS.

QTS 5.0.x

Creating a Snapshot Replica Job