Mac Mini 2018 External Storage Configuration

[Crelox]

I'm about to move back to mac from Windows 10, and I've got a mac mini i7, 512 SSD, 8GB (I'm upgrading to 32GB) on its way. Where I'm struggling is figuring out how best to set up my external storage. I've seen some configs and agree with what most seem to be doing in keeping the internal SSD for the OS, Bootcamp, Apps, and little else, if anything. Libraries of photos, music, documents, and program data to go on external storage. And then I will need a Time Machine drive separately. But what exactly to get?

I would like a reliable and streamlined storage setup with appropriate backup capabilities. Currently I have a Samsung T5 1TB, and a WD MyPassport USB 3.0 2TB and a 4TB sitting around unused right now. I suppose I could use the T5 for all the primary data (photos, docs, music, etc.) and a Passport as a Time Machine drive and call it a day. But...

1. Is there a benefit to getting some type of TB3 or USB 3.1 drive enclosure and invest in new HDD or SSD to put in that and have a streamlined setup for all of this? Obviously TM backups should be on separate media though. should this be in a RAID configuration? If so, what enclosures would you recommend, what type of drive, and which RAID config?

2. Is it worth pursuing a NAS for the backup and data storage piece, or just for backup alone, or not at all? I've never dealt with a NAS before and don't know if I really need one. We have multiple macs in the house as well. Is this worth it to benefit us from a backup perspective?

3. Not sure if rational or not, but I feel less secure having all my data (my computer life, so to speak) sitting on two portable drives sitting on the desk as opposed to what I've always had in the past, either a cMP with multiple internals drives and data and TM on separate spinners, or a windows tower with the same. It seems like these small external devices more likely to fail on me, but I don't know if thats just in my head or a legit concern.

Overall, like I said, my biggest concerns are a reliable, streamlined setup with appropriate backup strategy for all my data (specifically docs, photos, and music). While not optimal, I'm not going to go a 3-2-1 route as I am not interested in storing sensitive data in the cloud, if that helps you give me you thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give.

 

[Fishrrman]

"And then I will need a Time Machine drive separately. But what exactly to get?"

Since you're going to have more than one "primary storage drive" (internal + 1 or more externals), I would consider something other than time machine for backups.

For the external (non-booting) data storage volumes, the best way is to create cloned backups using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. Then you have exact, finder-mountable copies if you need them.

You can partition a larger backup drive into "more than one piece", and each partition can have a cloned backup on it. Works great, I've been using that scheme for MANY years now.

Keep one set of cloned backups "within arm's reach".
Keep ANOTHER set "off-site" to protect again home disasters.

I would not use RAID at all. Too much potential for problems "down the line" if a drive fails.

 

[Crelox]

Thanks very much for your input. This strategy seems wise. I already have CCC ver 5, so I am good to go there. So what do you think of this:

1. Internal Mac SSD 512GB -- Osx, apps, Bootcamp with Win10 (parallels on this drive as well), maybe some other files I want quick access to
2. External 1TB Samsung T5 USB-C -- Photos, Music, Videos, Documents and other personal data
3. External 2 or 4TB WD Passport USB 3.0 -- Additional files/Scratch drive if needed for video/photo editing

Buy:

4. WD MyBook 8-10TB (or other suggestion?) --

A. Partition into separate segments and use CCC to backup each external drive (?2-3x the size like TM or just above the total capacity since its a full clone?)
B. Create TM Partition 2TB and use TM to back up the internal SSD.
C. Winclone to Separate Windows Partition to back up Bootcamp/Win10 and Windows Apps

5. Purchase cloud space somewhere (?best suggestions who to use) and back up items 1-3 to the cloud.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Recs on backup drive brands and cloud storage providers, i.e. iCloud vs other welcome.

This setup would be using 3 external drives. Any problems using a powered hub for this, or is it a must to plug direct to the mac?

I guess if i decided to get a NAS down the line for use as a media server, I could create yet another set of in-house backups to it using CCC (or the internal SSD with TM via SMB to Synology)...but I'm not going to do that now.

 

[mpfuchs]

I think it all depends on how much data (GB) you need to store/back up.
Currently I'm using a 2TB external SSD for my photo library (that gets backed up with CCC to a HDD)
and a 3TB external HDD for all other data where speed is not so much of an issue (that gets backed up with CCC to another HDD).

Since you mentioned 8-10TB, I'm assuming you have a lot of data, so SSD might not be financially viable, but having a fast link to my working files is amazing.

I realize that an off site backup is usually recommended, but it just depends on how paranoid you are, and how bad losing your data would be.
On the other hand, privacy concerns on a cloud based back up system come into play as well...

At the end of the day it's a matter of how much you want to spend and how practical the whole system is.
If you end up not doing backups on a regular basis, the whole system will be flawed in case something does eventually happen.