2 Drive SOHO Nas

[theNOTO]

I'm trying to decide on a 2 drive NAS for my home office. I'll be using the NAS to store data that will be used on both my desktop and laptop computers. I would also like to use this data via VPN on the road.

I will also be storing and streaming audio and video from the device.

I would like to find something that can backup to a cloud but the HP EX485 is the only product I have found that seem to support it natively.

I'm looking strongly at the Synology DS209 and the D-link DNS-323. I am afraid the Dlink is too buggy and more of a "toy" for hobbyists.

I need 1-1.5 TB of space.

 

[claykin]

Readynas supports cloud backup out of the box using elephant drive. Its a bit expensive IMO but its built-in and ready to go. Jungledisk has claimed they are working on a few NAS plugins. Readynas and QNAP are two that they have named as target products. No word on when and if these addins will surface. Jungledisk is top notch cloud backup IMO.

IMO, you are correct on the Dlink DNS series.

Yes, the HP WHS products now support built-in cloud backup. Jungldisk had a WHS plugin but they pulled it for now. A new one should resurface at some point in the future, I hope. The WHS is nice in some respects, but it has its serious limitations and problems. Some of the limitations that keep me away are:

1) Its Windows so it needs to be updated/patched to keep up with monthly security flaws.

2) Needs AV

3) Has issues with VSS. See here for more. http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=12792&postcount=7

4) Cannot backup the WHS Server OS for quick restore in case of failure of main drive. Must be restored from Install CD and if you talk to anyone who's done it, they will tell you their nightmare stories.

5) Limited to 10 clients

6) Single instance storage is nice, but it worries me. Think if you rely on this and then one day one of your systems needs to restored. if the single instance restore screws up (or the database corrupts or is lost) you are fubared! No recovery for you!

IMO, WHS will be a much better 2nd gen product when its rebuilt on Server 2008 platform. Probably in another year or so.

 

[thiggins]

NAS manufacturers have been very slow to add integrated cloud backup. Even Iomega, whose parent EMC also owns Mozy, hasn't yet done it.

NETGEAR is the only company to offer an a cloud backup service that they actively sell as part of the ReadyNAS. The module for Amazon S3 that HP bundles with its MediaSmart WHS NASes is more like an afterthought. When I reviewed the EX487, HP didn't even have a test account so that I could try the service.

 

[theNOTO]

I would strongly prefer to stick with a linux based box. I currently use Jungledisk on my laptop, so them offering NAS plugins interests me, although I am not sure I want to dish out the extra money for a QNAP product.

What do you both think of the Synology DS209? At $300, it seems to be a good balance between cost and performance.

 

[claykin]

I would strongly prefer to stick with a linux based box. I currently use Jungledisk on my laptop, so them offering NAS plugins interests me, although I am not sure I want to dish out the extra money for a QNAP product.

What do you both think of the Synology DS209? At $300, it seems to be a good balance between cost and performance.

The Synology DS209 should serve you well. A few things I don't like about those Synology boxes are:

1) Installing disks is not as easy as competitors (QNAP, Readynas)
2) Disks are not hot swappable since you have to disassemble the thing just to get to the disks.
3) 1 year warranty (compared to Readynas 3 year). In most cases warranty replacements are handled through dealer. Synology (and QNAP) don't seem to have much US representation.

On the other hand, people like the products. They do work well and are quite competitive.

 

[dself]

The Synology DS209 should serve you well. A few things I don't like about those Synology boxes are:

1) Installing disks is not as easy as competitors (QNAP, Readynas)
2) Disks are not hot swappable since you have to disassemble the thing just to get to the disks.
3) 1 year warranty (compared to Readynas 3 year). In most cases warranty replacements are handled through dealer. Synology (and QNAP) don't seem to have much US representation.

On the other hand, people like the products. They do work well and are quite competitive.

Hi Claykin,

My name is Doug Self and I'm with Synology America. First, thanks for recommending the DS209. Regarding point 3 above, I'd like to clarify a couple of points.

The DS209 has a 2 year warranty, as do all 09 series models (the DS509+, DX5, RX4, and all Rack Stations are 3 year warranties).

As far as US representation, Synology America is located in Redmond, WA and oversees all Synology operations in North America. Also located at this office is a support staff available at (425) 818-0858 from 9-5 PST or through the support form at www.synology.com.

Again, thanks for the recommendation, we look forward to serving you in the future.

Best,

Doug Self
Synology America Corp.