Hard drive with my Lightroom catalog and RAW files makes horrible noise with impending signs of mechanical failure. Drive partitions disappear from Windows Explorer.  Luckily, I was able revive the dying drive and back up everything to a new hard drive.  I am looking into purchasing a Synology 4 bay NAS with 2,  4 TB drives that will be run as RAID 1 for now. Anyone use Synology products for data storage?  They seem to hav some nice features for photographers...................................................Jim

Jim, I have considered a Synology solution, but until I win the lottery, I cannot afford it. The units and their firmware appear to be user-friendly and highly reliable. This is based on reviews I have read at Anandtech. There are other options, such those from Netgear, Western Digital, and QNap.
--P

Jim,

I've used a Synology DS413 for about 5 years now and it has been reliable and very useful.  I use it not only to back up images, and my LR catalog, but also quicken files, downloads (for those pesky things you buy that you only have 90 days or 5 attempts at downloading before they lock you out) and music files- pretty much everything other than the OS on my system.  I have 4 3 TB disks in it and have used about 58% so eventually I'm going to have to switch them over to 4 TB disks.

I have to say I have downloaded some of the packages but haven't ever used them so I don't know about that part of it but it has been a solid workhorse for me.

Hali

Thank you.  Netgear equipment is excellent, but way over my budget.  I purchased the DS416j which is the budget 4 bay NAS and 2,  4 tb Seaqgate NAS drives. It is not as fast and with half the memory of the DS416, but at a 100 dollar savings, the DS416j should work fine for storing my images.  B&H carries these and the prices are equal to Amazon without having to purchase a Prime account.  We always take data storage for granted and it is better to be safe than sorry with hard drive lifespans.................Jim

We always take data storage for granted and it is better to be safe than sorry with hard drive lifespans.

 

I could not agree more with that comment, Jim. For many years I've been not only using external hard drives for storage and backup, but as added safety or paranoia I've kept at least one totally cloned drive on hand..... 

My computer guy set me up with a MyCloud "Mirror" - everything backs up daily to TWO separate externalr 4 TB drives (housed in one unit, so not too bulky). The system was not too expensive - about $399, as I recall. It would be nearly impossible for both to fail.
Still, being paranoid, I am also looking for atotally  off-site place to do a daily third backup, in case of a house fire of such.
Photos are irreplaceable. 
On Amazon:  

WD 8TB My Cloud Mirror Gen 2 Personal Network Attached Storage - NAS - WDBWVZ0080JWT-NESN

Sandy