Best NAS for Mac(mostly) home net

[Skormy]

It seems tike the more I read, the more confused I get. I'm a newbie to all this, so let me put that on the table as well.

I was already to dive deep into the Synology NAS game then started reading forum posts saying that the file system options are not optimal for Macs -- they don't have the journaling options. I read this is true for Qnap is well. I don't know if either of these is valid or an absolute necessity.

My ideal is that I have network based storage to do two primary things: A network accessible drive from home-based computers as well as wirelessly from iPads, iPhones and potentially other computers over the internet.

In addition, I would want a backup solution -- currently I'm using TimeMachine with a directly connected drive on my iMac, and would like a back-up for both the iMac and a MBP as well as the network drive.

I've also recently purchased an Asus N66u router, but haven't installed it yet. I want to make sure this part of the puzzle will also work with whatever storage solution I land on.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and suggestions.

 

[stevech]

I'd say QNAP or SYnology is the way to go.
The file system type is ext4 on both, I think. Journaling is transparent to the SMB protocol. Will not affect what the MAC or PC perceives.
My UPS runs my DS212 NAS and other things, just to be safe. I have accidentally de-powered the NAS a few times, to no harm.

 

[canuckle]

I'd say QNAP or SYnology is the way to go.
The file system type is ext4 on both, I think. Journaling is transparent to the SMB protocol. Will not affect what the MAC or PC perceives.

^^ This.

I have a Synology NAS in an all Mac environment, not an issue at all. I love it.

 

[Skormy]

One more question. I'm leaning toward a 2-bay model. Can the two drives be different capacities? I'm thinking 2 TB for network storage and 3 or 4 TB for Time machine backups as it will be backing up multiple devices.

 

[canuckle]

One more question. I'm leaning toward a 2-bay model. Can the two drives be different capacities? I'm thinking 2 TB for network storage and 3 or 4 TB for Time machine backups as it will be backing up multiple devices.

IIRC, the short answer is yes if you're not using Raid Data Protection. You'd set up as JBOD, but stevech has more experience in that area I think...

 

[stevech]

One more question. I'm leaning toward a 2-bay model. Can the two drives be different capacities? I'm thinking 2 TB for network storage and 3 or 4 TB for Time machine backups as it will be backing up multiple devices.

Yes but you may want to do what I do.. Not RAID1 config choice. I use two independent volumes. Shares on vol 1. Vol2 used to receive backups of vol 1 on whatever schedule. IMO this is prudent config for 2 bay. Also protects from accidental file deletion.
I also use time backup of certain files.. Last 90 days of versions. USB3 backup for anti-theft.