For many people, the primary reason for setting up a NAS is to store data more securely and with greater freedom. Whether it's photos, movies, or work files, storing them on your own server always feels much more reassuring than entrusting them to a third-party cloud storage service.
However, you may not realize that:Power Outages Are the Biggest Hidden Threat to NAS Devices。
A sudden power outage can cause a hard drive to stop reading or writing data abruptly. At best, this results in file corruption; at worst, it can lead to bad sectors or even a complete RAID array failure. When that happens, it’s heartbreaking to lose even 4TB of data—let alone 14TB.
The solution isn't really that complicated; you just need to set up a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)。
However, many people think that UPS systems can only be used on a “one-to-one” basis—that is, one device per UPS—which is both costly and space-consuming. In fact, this is completely unnecessary—with just a little tweaking, a single UPS can protect your entire household’s NAS.
One UPS, protecting multiple devices
My own situation is a case in point:
- Unraid The NAS handles primary storage and virtualization;
- Synology NAS It is primarily used for photo management and media playback;
- There's another one, too. Feiniu NAS... to serve as a testing facility and backup warehouse.
If you were to buy a UPS for each device individually, it would be too expensive, and your home would end up cluttered with a bunch of “big, bulky devices.” Fortunately, Unraid offers a very useful feature— netserver mode。
With this configuration, Unraid can function as UPS Main Control Unit...communicates directly with the UPS and then shares the power status with other devices over the network. This way, Synology only needs to configure the network settings to automatically receive the UPS status in real time, shut down automatically during a power outage, and ensure data security.
Synology does an excellent job with compatibility in this area; setup can be completed in just a few steps. Feiniu NAS, on the other hand, is a bit of a letdown—it currently doesn’t support network mode and can only be connected via the most traditional method: a direct USB connection. Although its functionality is limited, it at least ensures basic data security.
Save money, save yourself the hassle, and stay safer
That way, I only need one Sante TG-BOX 850 UPS...you can protect multiple devices at once: Unraid, Synology, and routers are all covered. This not only saves money but also makes the shutdown process more organized in the event of a power outage.
Imagine this: The power suddenly goes out in the middle of the night. The UPS kicks in immediately; Unraid detects the signal first, and Synology receives the notification shortly after. All your devices shut down automatically and in an orderly fashion. When power is restored the next day, you don’t have to do a thing—your data is still safe and sound.
This is what it's really all about Data Peace of Mind。
If your home NAS is still running without protection, or if you’re not sure how to use a single UPS to protect multiple devices, I highly recommend giving this solution a try. I’ve included a complete setup guide and step-by-step instructions in this article ???? [Link to Full Article]
Related Reading:
The Core Concept Behind Using a Single UPS to Protect Multiple NAS Devices
The UPS's USB cable typically connects to only one “master device”; other NAS devices retrieve the power outage status over the network. The master device can run the NUT (Network UPS Tools) service, with Synology, Unraid, or Feiniu NAS devices acting as clients, which will shut down safely in sequence when the battery charge level or remaining runtime reaches a threshold.
How do you estimate capacity and battery life?
| Project | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Total Load | Track the actual power consumption of NAS devices, hard drives, switches, and the main router |
| Allowance | Avoid operating near the UPS's rated capacity for extended periods, and leave some headroom for hard drive startup peaks. |
| Range Target | The key is to weather short-term fluctuations and complete the shutdown, rather than continuing to operate for an extended period of time. |
| Network Equipment | The main router and switches should also be powered on; otherwise, clients will not receive shutdown notifications. |
Recommended Configuration Steps
- Connect the UPS USB cable to the most stable device that is most frequently online.
- On the master controller, enable the UPS/NUT service and configure the internal network addresses that are allowed access.
- For other NAS devices, enter the primary controller IP address, monitoring account, and UPS name.
- Set up a staged shutdown: First, stop the virtual machines and containers; then, shut down the storage client; and finally, shut down the controller.
- Conduct a drill in which the mains power is disconnected to verify the alarm, network communication, and shutdown sequence.
Common Causes of Failure
The most common issues include switches not being connected to a UPS, client addresses not being on the allowlist, USB devices disconnecting due to sleep mode, and thresholds set too low, resulting in the system failing to shut down in time. RAID is not a substitute for backups, and a UPS cannot prevent accidental deletions; important data should still be stored in an off-site location.
Original article by Tech.laowang. If you wish to repost this article, please credit the source: https://techlaowang.com/en/ups-nas-unraid-fnos-synology/
