I just purchased a new Link Station live after the old one got bricked and i want to set up a recurring back up. i'll be backing up to an attached USB drive. i want the backup to overwrite existing files with modified ones and add new ones.

There are only 3 options, normal, overwrite (append), overwrite (differential). However in the help description there are 5 options, the 3 mentioned above and in addition, overwrite (modify) and overwrite (complete/differential). Help says overwrite (complete/differential) will do what i want, but since it's not a choice on my unit, how can i achieve this?

Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup every time, if a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Append):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will not be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Wow!  You really ought to put this in the PDF User Manual.  I was very confused until I saw this post.  Thanks!

Here's another related question: I am trying to create a 'syncronized' backup between primary and secondary Linkstations.  I will use the "Overwrite Backup (Differential)" option to accomplish this.  However, I do not want the backup Linkstation to have the "_backups" directory name.  I just want an exact replica of my Primary Linkstation's Share folder directory structure in the Secondary Linkstation's Share folder.  When I uncheck "Create a Folder Inside of the Backup Target", it gives me the strangest warning dialog box.  It is in English, but I have no idea what it means!  It says:  

"Create folder to identify backup source option isn't specified.  In this case, estimated result can't be obtain due to Backup Operation Mode.  Refer to Help and backup test is strongly recommended.  Will you continue?"

I click continue, and the initial backup works fine.  The question is, will the subsequent Differential backups work correctly (backing up new and changes files, and deleting removed files)?  Or, does the "_backup" destination folder need to be there for some reason?    

The Options:

Backup Mode:

Normal Backup:

Saves as "yyyymmddhhmm\sourcename\data". Makes a new folder for each backup.

Overwrite Backup (Complete/Append)<labeled incorrectly as the first "Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential)" on Linkstation Pro, Linkstation Live, Terastation Pro II, and Terastation Live>:

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup every time, if a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will not be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup every time, if a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Append):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will not be deleted.

Overwrite Backup (Differential):

Saves as "_backups\sourcename\data". Does a complete backup the first time, subsequent backups only send the changes. If a file is on the destination that is not on the source, it will be deleted.

Other options:

Create a file folder which would be identified by backup source:

If this is unchecked, any overwrite backup will overwrite files already existing on the share. This is useful if you want a backup that seems to be mirrored exactly in structure. There will be issues if you backup 2 shares to a single share

Use encrypted transfer:

Specify whether data should be encrypted when it is transferred for backup.

• Throughput is decreased if this encryption function is enabled.
• Don't use this function when backup destination is a USB hard drive.

Use compressed transfer:

Specify whether data should be compressed when it is transferred for backup.

• When backup is performed via network by using this function, transferring speed may increase in the environment where network bandwidth is narrow. (It is not that backup all data into one archive).
• Do not use this function when backup destination is a USB hard drive.

Create backup log files:

Create log files of the backup on the source folder.

Backup task isn't cancel even error is occurred<"Ignore the errors and proceed back up anyway." on Linkstation Pro>:

If enabled, after a backup failure, subsequent scheduled backups will still be performed

Other Notes

• Linkstation Live, Terastation Pro II, and Terastation Live all nearly the same interface as Linkstation Pro. Have some of the same typos as well.
• Trashbox on source is backed up to destination (only tested on LSPro so far).

Sources

From the "Help" Document on the Terastation Pro:

Backup Operation mode: Select backup operation mode among the followings. - Normal Backup - Overwrite Backup (Complete/Append) - Overwrite Backup (Complete/Differential) - Overwrite Backup （Append Backup） - Overwrite Backup (Differential Backup)

• If [Overwrite(Differential)] is used, any files which does not exist on the backup source are deleted without any beforehand confirmation. Please be careful not to miss important data.
• In any operation mode except for normal backup, all data are overwritten to backup destination. Please be careful not to miss important data.
• Don't operate any file (change file name, delete and so on) in backup source folder while backup is performed. Otherwise, backup procedure may be faulty terminated

Behavior in each mode is as shown in the following table. Behavior differs largely depending on whether [Create folder from which backup source can be identified] on backup option is set.

• The description below is explanation for the case when [/target] is set as backup destination folder.

• Backup behavior is specified by the conbination of [Overwrite(differencial)] and [Create folder from which backup source can be identified]. Depending on conbination, it may not operate as you have expected.

From the "Help" Document on Linkstation Pro:

Backup Function Mode
Backup mode selection:
*Normal Backup
*Overwrite backup
*Overwrite backup (All/Updated)
*Overwrite backup (Additional)
*Overwrite backup (Updated)
*"Caution: Overwrite backup will delete original."
*"Caution: Backup mode (except Normal mode) will not save any previous backup data."
*"Caution: Do not access any backup file(s) during the backup. It may cause an error."

Hi,

Apologies if I missed something, but I haven't seen an answer to the original question. I have LinkStation live and I only get the three backup options when the help refers to more. I want to use Overwrite (Complete/Differential) but it is not listed. Can anyone help? Thanks

Whats the model number of the unit?  We have two diffrent revisions.