Overview

Hosting a secondary NAS at a relative's house gives you an offsite copy that protects against fire, theft, and local incidents.

Benefits and responsibilities

Agree on expectations and support before you start.

• You gain offsite protection and faster restores than some cloud options
• Your host provides power, space, and internet access
• You handle support, maintenance, and any issues quickly

Connectivity and network planning

Keep the link private and predictable.

• Use a VPN between sites or port forward only required services with strict rules
• Set up dynamic DNS if the remote site has a changing IP
• Avoid overlapping subnets and document addressing

Power and environment

A small UPS and a cool spot improve reliability.

• Install a UPS sized for the NAS and router
• Place the NAS in a ventilated area away from direct heat
• Label cables and keep a small spare parts kit

Backup and replication design

Choose the right tool for each data type.

• Snapshot Replication for fast rollbacks between compatible models
• Hyper Backup for versioned, encrypted offsite copies
• Seed the first copy and schedule jobs for off hours

Security and privacy

Treat the remote site as untrusted and protect data accordingly.

• Use encryption for backups and store keys securely
• Create unique admin accounts and enable two factor
• Restrict access to required services and log all events

Setup steps

Make the first visit count with a clear checklist.

• Update DSM and packages on both NAS units
• Create and test VPN or access rules
• Create replication or backup tasks and run a sample restore
• Enable alert emails to both owner and a secondary contact

Operations and runbook

Keep tasks light for your host and yourself.

• Monthly: check jobs, capacity, and UPS status
• Quarterly: test restores and review logs
• Annually: replace UPS batteries as needed and dust filters

Cost and courtesy

Be a good guest at the remote site.

• Offer to contribute to power and internet costs
• Keep the device quiet and tidy
• Provide a contact number for any issues

FAQs

Helpful clarifications before you deploy.

• Do I need static IPs - dynamic DNS with VPN is usually fine
• Can the host access my data - not without credentials; encrypt backups where appropriate
• What if the internet is slow - schedule jobs overnight and seed the first copy