Synology USB Copy Guide for DSM 7.2 Backup

# Synology USB Copy Guide for DSM 7.2 Backup ## 📋 Video Content Overview This video provides a comprehensive guide to Synology's USB Copy backup suite, focusing on three backup modes, their characteristics, applicable scenarios, and practical demonstrations. As an essential backup tool in Synology DSM 7.2, USB Copy enables users to implement off-site backups for enhanced data security. --- ## 🔑 Key Points ### **What is USB Copy?** USB Copy is Synology NAS's data synchronization and backup software, primarily designed for backing up data to removable storage media like USB external hard drives. Unlike Hyper Backup's local backup functionality, USB Copy specializes in **off-site backup scenarios**, maximizing data protection when device failures occur (such as hard drive damage from sudden power outages). ### **Recommended Usage Scenario** - **Backup Frequency**: Once per week - **Typical Workflow**: 1. Phone photos sync to Synology daily in real-time 2. Hyper Backup performs daily local backups 3. USB Copy backs up to external drive every weekend 4. Remove USB device after backup completion --- ## 🛠️ Installation & Preparation ### **Required Software** 1. **USB Copy** - Main backup application 2. **exFAT Access** - exFAT file system support - Synology 6.x: Paid - Synology 7.2: **Free** ### **Hardware Requirements** - USB external hard drive (4TB used in demonstration) - exFAT format support ### **Folder Structure Setup** Create on USB device: ``` USB_copy_backup_test/ ├── MV/ # Multi-version backup directory ├── Mirror/ # Mirror backup directory └── Increment/ # Incremental backup directory ``` Prepare test data on Synology: ``` backup_test/ └── test_container/ └── example/ # Contains test image files ``` --- ## 📊 Three Backup Modes Explained ### **1. Multi-Version Backup** **How it Works**: - Creates separate version folders for each backup - Complete data duplication to new version - Results in data redundancy **Pros**: - Preserves complete historical versions - Can restore to any backup point **Cons**: - High storage consumption - Unclear deletion relationships between versions - **Not Recommended** (Hyper Backup offers superior version control) ### **2. Mirror Backup** ⭐ **Recommended** **How it Works**: - Maintains only the last backup's actual state - Deletion operations sync to backup - Always consistent with source data **Pros**: - Minimal storage requirements - Clear and explicit backup results - Ideal for cold backup scenarios **Use Cases**: - Only need final state of data - No historical version tracking needed - **Best suited for USB off-site backups** ### **3. Incremental Backup** **How it Works**: - Only adds new files, never executes deletions - All historical files retained - Backup size continuously grows **Pros**: - Can recover deleted files - Functions as a "safety net" **Cons**: - High storage requirements - Chaotic file relationships (random naming makes identification difficult) - Large discrepancy from latest version --- ## 🎯 Practical Demonstration: 3-Day Backup Test The video demonstrates actual effects of different backup modes through a three-day simulation: | Timeline | Operation | Multi-Version Result | Mirror Result | Incremental Result | |----------|-----------|---------------------|---------------|-------------------| | **Initial** | Empty folder backup | Creates empty version | Empty | Empty | | **Day 1** | Add 3 files | Version 2: 3 files | 3 files | 3 files | | **Day 2** | Add 2 files<br>Delete 1 file | Version 3: 4 files | 4 files<br>Deleted file removed | 5 files<br>**Deleted file still present** | | **Day 3** | Add 1 file<br>Delete 2 files | Version 4: New folder | Only final files remain | **All files retained** | **Key Findings**: - Mirror backup always reflects current state - Incremental preserves all history but difficult to manage - Multi-version consumes space with complex management --- ## ⚙️ Automation Configuration Recommendations ### **Recommended Settings** 1. ✅ **Auto-execute backup on USB insertion** 2. ✅ **Auto-eject USB device after backup completion** 3. ❌ Scheduled backup (not suitable for USB scenarios) **Usage Scenario**: - Insert USB device before leaving home on weekends - Backup automatically completed and ejected upon return - No manual operation required, safe and convenient --- ## 💡 Best Practice Recommendations ### **Backup Strategy Selection** | Scenario | Recommended Solution | |----------|---------------------| | Standard off-site cold backup | **Mirror Backup** (single solution) | | Need accidental deletion recovery | Mirror + Incremental (dual protection) | | Version control requirements | Use Hyper Backup instead of multi-version | ### **Three-Tier Backup System** 1. **Real-time Layer**: Phone/device auto-sync to Synology 2. **Daily Layer**: Hyper Backup daily local backups 3. **Off-site Layer**: USB Copy weekly mirror backups ### **File Filtering** - Filter by file type (e.g., photos only) - Configure backup content based on actual needs --- ## 📌 Important Notes 1. **Avoid Multi-Version Backup**: Wastes space with difficult management 2. **Mirror Mode Most Practical**: Suits most users' off-site backup needs 3. **Limited Incremental Use**: Chaotic file relationships, only as supplementary 4. **Promptly Remove USB Device**: Unplug after completion to avoid host failures 5. **exFAT Compatibility**: Ensure exFAT Access installed for large-capacity drives --- ## 🔗 Related Resources - Synology Hyper Backup Tutorial (local backup) - Synology DSM 7.2 Update Notes - NAS Data Security Best Practices --- ## 🏷️ SEO Keywords Synology backup, USB Copy tutorial, DSM 7.2, off-site backup, NAS backup solution, mirror backup, incremental backup, Synology NAS, exFAT support, data security