BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
1. Introduction
Replication is synchronising a folder on 2 different TeraStations in almost real time. It works in only
one way – not bi-directional! - from source to destination. It is possible to set-up the function in
LAN and WAN. The WAN setup includes the remote connection using port forwarding and a VPN
setup. See picture below:
Internet
LAN
Encrypted transmission
VPN
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BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
Although multiple backup jobs can be scheduled to back up data more than once daily, some
organizations may prefer real time backups. The Buffalo TeraStation supports real time backups
through replication. Replication mirrors the data in a folder on the source TeraStation to a share
on another TeraStation in near real time. After the initial mirroring of data, only changes at the
byte level cross the network. Thus, if changes were made to a large file, only the changes would
be sent, not the entire file. Replication works only in one direction: From the source to the
destination. Changes or deletions on the destination are not reflected back to the source, but all
changes, additions and deletions made on the source are reflected on the destination. Of course,
cross replication could be configured between sources and targets, but cross replication could
present some issues if the same file is being written to on both ends.
The replication is a function what provides high availability in providing business relevant data to
employees in a company and an almost real time backup for critical data. The function is flexible
and can be fully managed remotely.
Examples
Even middle sized companies often have branches in different locations. Using the replication is
an easy way to manage backups in a company with remote locations. Most of the time you don't
have an IT engineer on the site and sending someone to check and manage tape backups is time
consuming and costly. After the initial setup the backup from remote locations to the main office
could be centrally managed by the IT department.
If you replicate multiple machines it is necessary to choose different folders on the target machine.
Otherwise it will not work properly. One target folder for each replication job. It would also work via
VPN tunnel.
Remote location
(Home office, branch
office)
MAIN OFFICE
Internet
Remote location
(Home office, branch
office)
BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
In an office you need high availability for certain data in a network and therefore it is necessary to
plan for a fail over. You would replicate all data for high availability to a second TeraStation in the
same network. Should the main unit fail you could simply make a few setting adjustments to
continue work with the second unit. You could even load the saved settings of the first unit to the
second one using the Buffalo utility for saving and restoring settings.
OFFICE TeraStation for fail
over
Replication
To be safe in case of physical damage like water, fire etc. it is common practice to hold all files on
a second location. Using a simple port forwarding in a router/firewall enables 2 TeraStations to
replicate all business relevant data from one location to another one.
Remote location
OFFICE (Home office, branch
office)
Internet
This works in the same way utilizing a VPN connection. All the routing is managed by the
company router/firewall and in the ideal case it works like in a LAN. Nevertheless it is possible to
add a target manually in case the automatic detection has difficulties.
BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
1. Configuration in LAN
Let's start with the procedure in LAN. It is the base of all other set-up as well. The configuration is
quite similar to a backup job. The destination folder should have the option for backup activated.
Afterwards you set up the Replication job on the source machine.
On the destination TeraStation interface do the following:
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Remember- the content of the destination will be overwritten without request. Therefore it seems a
good idea to create a new folder. I recomment to deactivate the recycle bin and please don't forget
to tic the backup option. That's all we do on the destination machine.
The configuration of the destination unit is the same in all scenarios.
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Replication with T5000/7000
On the source TeraStation interface do the following:
Go to Backup and open the Replication menu. Press on “Edit” and “Add”. “Browse” for a source
and a destination. You might have to use “Refresh” for the destination, to find new devices.
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Replication with T5000/7000
When you have selected your source and destination, press OK to enable and start Replication.
Of course name and structure should be according your setup and your needs.
After clicking “OK” you will get this message. Read and confirm this with Yes.
Please proceed when you are sure. The first time of course it could take quite a while to copy all
the files to the destination. Afterwards all changes – be it deleting a file or adding- will be made on
the destination folder as well almost immediately.
BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
2. Configuration with VPN
In this scenario there is no real difference because all the connection and routing is done
externally and it is just a matter of correct configuration of the VPN tunnel. Everything else works
like in the local set-up in the LAN. In some rare cases it is necessary to put in the IP manually as
described in the next chapter.
3. Configuration with remote connection via router
The destination set-up never changes. The important part: It is necessary to forward the ports to
the TeraStation IP as shown in the picture below on BOTH sides- source and destination.
Additional requirements:
● source and destination TeraStation need Internet connectivity
● The share folder on the destination unit would have to be set to support Disk Backup.
● A static Internet IP for the destination network is required. DYNDNS addresses are not
supported.
This is all on the network side. Now there are a few differences by configuring the source
TeraStation.
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Replication with T5000/7000
The destination TeraStation should have a folder configures as described in the first step
in chapter one.
On the source TeraStation interface do the following:
Add a remote destination TeraStation. Go to Backup and open the Backup menu. Press on “List of
LinkStations and TeraStations”.
Based on your VPN or WAN setup, enter the remote IP of the VPN connected TeraStation or
the WAN IP of the remote destination to “Off-subnet Devices”. To do so press “Add” and type
the relevant IP. Then press “Refresh and see if your TeraStation does appear.
BUFFALO EU BV.
Replication with T5000/7000
If it is correctly configured it should look similar to the screenshot below..
Frome here the procedure is the same as in the LAN setup. Please refer to chapter one and
continue with the second step of this chapter.
By D.Haase, H. Lichner
