How to Backup QNAP to Another QNAP NAS Easily (2 Free Ways)

The advantages of QNAP to QNAP backup

QNAP is known as a network attached storage (NAS) device manufacturer, and QNAP to QNAP backup refers to backing up files in QNAP NAS to another QNAP NAS. But what's the point of doing that while NAS is already a reliable storage device?

1️⃣ QNAP NAS is not indestructible. It faces the risk of damage caused by artificial or non-artificial reasons, just as other physical devices. In other words, your data stored on NAS isn’t 100% safe. Backing up a QNAP NAS to another could provide double insurance and a shortcut to restore important files when an accident occurs.

2️⃣ If there's an ongoing job that needs to be done by different people, or you want to keep the data on two NAS exactly the same for information consistency and promptness, backing up QNAP to QNAP is a good way to share files. Furthermore, you can even perform NAS mirror backup or set up a schedule to run the backup regularly.

How to create QNAP to QNAP backup with Hybrid Backup Sync

Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS) should be familiar to every QNAP NAS user. It integrates backup, restore and sync features to transfer files from QNAP NAS to local, remote or cloud storage for comprehensive data protection and disaster recovery.

Using it to backup QNAP to QNAP, you should install it on both NAS: Log into each QNAP NAS as administrator > Go to "App Center" > Find or search "Hybrid Backup Sync" > click "Add To QTS".

Note: you must have firmware QTS 4.2.0 or newer versions for using Hybrid Backup Sync.

◆ On the destination QNAP NAS:

Click "Backup Server" > Choose "RTRR Server" > Tick "Enable Real-time Remote Replication Server" and enter the password > "Apply" the settings and click "OK" to confirm it.

◆ On the source QNAP NAS:

1. Select Backup on the main interface. If you want to copy the QNAP NAS with original format to another NAS, you can also choose Sync.

The difference between Backup and Sync: Sync will create an exact copy of source data that can be used directly, and Backup will create an image file, which takes less space and requires a restoration before using.

2. Choose Remote Backup to back up files to another QNAP NAS.

3. Select source files that you want to backup, then select the backup destination as another QNAP NAS. If you haven’t add it as a storage space, click Add Remote Storage Space to enter required information.

4. Then select the destination directory, confirm the operation and click Apply. Optionally, you can set up a Schedule to run the QNAP to QNAP backup automatically, or tick Backup Now to execute the task immediately.

As you can see, the operation to backup QNAP NAS to another isn’t very simple. You need to configure the settings on both sides, and since Hybrid Backup Sync is mainly designed for QNAP NAS, there are many limitations if you want to backup files to or from other storage devices.

Therefore, you could try following solution as an easier alternative.

Easier alternative to backup or sync files from QNAP NAS to another

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free QNAP backup solution working on all Windows PCs. It provides a simple way to complete data protection and disaster recovery tasks in an intuitive interface, and the functional advantages are also obvious.

NAS to NAS backup and NAS to NAS sync are both supported by the Standard edition. You can try the following steps to complete the data transfer easily.

◆ How backup QNAP NAS to another QNAP NAS:

1. Install and open the tool, go to the Backup tab, and choose File Backup.

2. Click on Select Source to choose Add File or Add Folder according to your need. Click Share/NAS in the pop-up window and hit Add NAS or Add Network Share to enter the required information of the source NAS.

3. Click on the destination select box, click on NAS to input your NAS path, and follow the on-screen guides to add the target NAS, then choose your target NAS folder, and click Start Backup.

Other helpful features:
Schedule - create an automatic backup on basis of daily/weekly/monthly. You can also choose a schedule as one time/event triggers.
Backup Scheme - set up backup methods (Full Backup, Incremental Backup, or Differential Backup) and delete older backups automatically. Differential backup and automatic backup cleanup are available in Pro or higher editions.
Options - specify compression level, split image file, comments, email notifications, etc.

◆ How to Sync QNAP NAS to another QNAP NAS:

1. Navigate to the Sync tab and choose Basic Sync.

2. Click Select Source > Share/NAS > Add NAS or Add Network Share to specify the source NAS.

3. Click on the destination select box, add and connect your target NAS, pick the destination folder, and then click Start Sync.

Other helpful features:
Options - verify integrity, sync deletions, comments, email notifications, etc.
Schedule Sync - auto sync files from source to target Daily (By Interval), Daily, Weekly, Monthly (By Week), Monthly (By Date), One Time, and Event triggers.

Related tips:

• Alternative to add network location or NAS device: Tools > Storage Management > Add Destination > Add NAS or Add Network Share.

• If you upgrade to advanced editions, you don't have to create a schedule to run the sync task automatically. Instead, you can choose Real-Time Sync to synchronize any changes in source NAS to target NAS in real time. Meanwhile, if you want to sync any changes in source NAS or target NAS to the other side, Two-Way Sync is a better choice.

• If you want to backup QNAP NAS to Windows PC, just select a local directory as the destination. As for cloud drives, you can choose the local folder of the cloud service accordingly.

• If you have an AOMEI account, you are able to backup files to AOMEI Cloud. You can enjoy 1TB free storage for 15 days after you sign up for an AOMEI account.

Conclusion

Compared with Hybrid Backup Sync, AOMEI Backupper is a more compatible and simple solution to do NAS to NAS backup or sync. You can use it to backup QNAP to QNAP, Synology to Synology, or between different brands of NAS and even different kinds of storage devices.

The free version of AOMEI Backupper already covers most of your practical needs. For more powerful and convenient features, you can upgrade to higher editions. Even if you are a Server user that need to backup Windows Server to NAS device, the Server edition can perfectly suit your situation.