Drobo How-To Guide This document will demonstrate how to use direct-attached or network-attached Drobos for site-to-site replication and synchronization with SmartSync Pro in a Windows environment. SmartSync Pro is a full-featured solution to perform routine backups and provide synchronization of data from a local, direct-attach or network-attach volume to a remote direct-attach and network-attach volume. The combined solution provides reliable and affordable disk-based backup storage. NOTE: The procedures of the following document are based on the Drobo 5N (NAS) in a Windows environment. All direct-attached storage units (5D and Mini) will have similar procedures. Topics SmartSync basics Installing SmartSync Creating Job Profiles Restoring Important Data Bi-directional Replication Between Two Drobo units Additional Features What You Will Need Drobo direct-attached or network attached storage unit/s Drobo Dashboard management software (most recent version) Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 drobo.com 1
SmartSync Basics SmartSync Pro is full featured backup and synchronization solution intended for a broad range of individual and small business PC users. Its intuitive and user-friendly interface makes backup and replication simple. Easily synchronize data between an onsite and offsite storage devices. Backup Modes SmartSync Pro supports different backup and synchronization methods depending on the environment. Five synchronization parameters are available: Copy Source to Destination: Copies files from the Source folder to the Destination folder. Move Source to Destination: Move files from the Source folder to the Destination folder, helpful when migrating data to different location Synchronize Source and Destination: Bi-directional synchronization between the Source and Destination folders. When files are modified or added in the Source folder, they will be copied over to the Destination folder. If files are added or modified in the destination folder, they will be copied over to the Source folder Compress Source into a single ZIP file: Compresses the copied files into a single ZIP file. This option is useful if a compressed copy is desired. Incremental Backup (with compression): Compresses the copied files into the compressed package with the.ssp extension. First time all Source files will be included into the package. Next time, only new and modified files will be included. Installing SmartSync Follow the directions in the Drobo Online User Guide to configure the Drobo and shares: http://www.drobo.com/support/documentation.php We will be using the share, SmartSync_Share in the following examples. drobo.com 2
STEP 1 Navigate to www.smartsync.com/downloads for the SmartSync software package. SmartSync allows for a free, 30-day full trial of the application. Purchasing a license key for SmartSync Pro can be done by using the Buy Now button. NOTE: A single of SmartSync Pro may be used on two computers as part of a replication job STEP 2 Once the download has completed, open the SmartSync Pro installer. Click Next to continue. drobo.com 3
STEP 3 SmartSync allows for multiple users to work on the same computer. Part of the installation will ask if one would like to have all profiles and settings stored within one location or separated from one another. Designate based on personal preference. STEP 4 Click Finish to launch SmartSync Pro. drobo.com 4
Creating Job Profiles SmartSync Pro uses a Profile for each backup object. This profile contains all settings for the individual backup or replication task. STEP 1 Launching SmartSync Pro for the first time will initiate the New Profile Wizard. The wizard contains a list of common file/folder locations used for synchronization. Check I will select folders manually for advanced selection options. STEP 2 Change the Synchronization Type to the appropriate setting. In this example, we ve chosen to synchronize with a local/network computer. drobo.com 5
STEP 3 Change the Operation type to the preferred synchronization method and click Next to continue. Note - To perform a traditional backup operation, select Copy Source to Destination. STEP 4 Select the folder(s) to include in the backup job. While an entire disk can be selected, it is advised that only user data is selected as SmartSync is not a baremetal recovery solution Click Next to continue. STEP 5 drobo.com 6
The backup destination will store copies of all replicated data. Note The destination location should be dedicated folder for each profile. Click on the folder icon to browse for the destination Select the destination folder and click Ok. Review the section on the Folder Properties window and press Next to continue. drobo.com 7
STEP 6 SmartSync Pro allows for exclusion lists, preventing any specified content to be skipped during the copy process. Continue with Next if there are no exclusions. STEP 7 Next we will set a schedule for the Profile. Frequency: Sets how often the Profile launches. Also Run: Sets automated events to occur during different operating conditions. Do Not Run on These Days: Disables SmartSync Pro from running on specific days. drobo.com 8
STEP 8 The last window is where to specify a name for the profile. It is advised to have a proper naming convention, based on the appropriate job types for better management. After creation, the profile will now show under Synchronization Profiles. Controls to manually begin the job, suspend, and restore using are located on the toolbar. drobo.com 9
Restoring Important Data SmartSync Pro allows for restore of data from either the Destination folder, a ZIP archive, or via Incremental Backup. All restore procedures require a synchronization profile. STEP 1 Select the Profile that has the data to restore from. In this example, we are restoring from a Destination folder STEP 2 Now, either click on Sync along the top menu bar, then to Restore, or click on the Restore button on the toolbar to launch the Restore Wizard. drobo.com 10
STEP 3 The Restore Wizard will launch, at first scanning both the Source and Destination folders. STEP 4 Select which files and folders will be restored at this point. Click on Finish once all desired content has been selected. The Restore Wizard will begin restoring the content and close once completed. drobo.com 11
Bi-directional Replication Between Two Drobo Units SmartSync Pro allows for replication between two Drobo units, whether DAS-to-DAS, or NAS-to-NAS. The following example will demonstrate how to configure SmartSync Pro to replicate data from a Source Drobo 5N to a Destination Drobo 5N. The procedures will be the same for any Drobo DAS-to-DAS. We have created two shares, SmartSync_Share on the Source Drobo 5N, and SmartSync_Target on the Destination Drobo 5N. STEP 1 STEP 2 Create a new Profile for synchronization by clicking on the New Profile button along the toolbar. Select Synchronize Source and Destination under the Operation drop-down list. STEP 3 Select the first location to be synchronized with the second location, whether it be Source or Destination. In this example, we ve chosen SmartSync_Share as the first location drobo.com 12
STEP 4 The following screen will prompt for a second folder to synchronize with. Click on the box next to the blank line of Destination Folder STEP 5 Specify the location of the Destination folder For this example, we ve selected SmartSync_Target that is located on the second Drobo unit. drobo.com 13
STEP 7 Set any File Exclusions and configure the Schedule like the previous Profiles. STEP 8 The step will be the Profile name. We ve specified this profile as Drobo 5N to 5N. drobo.com 14
STEP 9 SmartSync Pro will first compare files and folders between the Source and Destination locations. If there are changes, SmartSync Pro synchronization both sites, from Source to Destination, and from Destination to Source. Drobo 2460 North First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA www.drobo.com 1.866.97.DROBO Copyright 2013 Drobo, Inc. Data Robotics, Drobo, Drobo5D, DroboB800i, Drobo1200i, BeyondRAID, and Smart Volumes are trademarks of Drobo, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other trademarks used are owned by their respective owners. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. May 2013 drobo.com 15