DS211 vs ds110+ Buffalo Linkstation Pro LS-VL- processor vs ram

[wannabe1988]

hello friends, I am currently undecided between ds211, ds110+ and Buffalo Linkstation Pro LS-VL . DS110+ feature a lower power processor of 1.06GHz as opposed to DS211 1.6GHz. However, DS110+ gas a greater ram than ds111 - 512MB vs 256MB. Therefore, how important is a ram and processor in a NAS? what is the role of RAM and Processor in a NAS? I understand that they both are imperative in making an excellent NAS but in what ways? Also, is the wake up on lan feature important? I find that ds211 doesn't have it where as DS110+ has it. What other features would make a clear distinction between ds211 and ds210+ apart from one having 2bay and the other is just a single bay?

As for my need. my primary concern would be backing up works directly to my time machine wirelessly, cross-transfer between windows and mac, and transferring files of average size of 200mb to few GB. Other than that, I would be using it to store and stream my multimedia stuff like music and movies to my iphone or macbook pro. I might be, for instance, stream a movie while backing up or downloading at the same time. If that matters, I am the only sole user of one of these potential NAS. Please advise as I have been reading a lot but still a bit clueless about my choices.

On the side note, I understand that the current buffalo Linkstation Pro 2TB feature the same processor used in the ds211 and both have a 1.6GHz. How would these two compete with one another in term of compatibility with Mac Time Machine and transferring speed in term of writing and reading? Also, how would the features differ from one another?

Would really appreciate any help that you guys can offer here as I need opinions quite urgently. Currently in SIngapore where I can get a cheap NAS but would be leaving soon, so would need to make a quick decision by Monday. Let me know, thanks!

 

[thiggins]

Processor is the #1 determinant of NAS performance. More RAM helps write speed when dealing with small files, but not so much with large media files.

Wake on LAN is important only if you are going to be accessing the NAS remotely and need it to come out of sleep mode.

If you are primarily using a wireless connection to the NAS, you can buy just about anything. The wireless connection will limit your connection speed to much lower than any current NAS can do.

Forget about reliable HD streaming if you are using wireless. The problem won't be NAS performance, but the wireless connection itself.

 

[wannabe1988]

Processor is the #1 determinant of NAS performance. More RAM helps write speed when dealing with small files, but not so much with large media files.

Wake on LAN is important only if you are going to be accessing the NAS remotely and need it to come out of sleep mode.

If you are primarily using a wireless connection to the NAS, you can buy just about anything. The wireless connection will limit your connection speed to much lower than any current NAS can do.

Forget about reliable HD streaming if you are using wireless. The problem won't be NAS performance, but the wireless connection itself.

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate your insight! So a processor would be more important than ram when it comes to large files?

If I am not wrong, that means if a NAS is without that feature, it would disappear from the network list if the NAS/Laptop is inactive for a period of time?

Meaning in regard to any of the NAS that I have mentioned, their spec do not really matter if I plan to do it wirelessly because their speed would be limited by the connection speed? I know the speed varies according to users, but roughly how slow would it be if things are transferred wirelessly? for example, how long would it take to transfer a 1GB file wirelessly?

okay, so streaming HD is not possible, how about a non-hd movies?

any comments on the comparison between the NAS that I have mentioned? I don't seem to be able to find much comparison between these NAS online, if I have miss any, would be really glad to have the links.

Thanks!

 

[thiggins]

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate your insight! So a processor would be more important than ram when it comes to large files?

That is correct.

If I am not wrong, that means if a NAS is without that feature, it would disappear from the network list if the NAS/Laptop is inactive for a period of time?

The NAS will "disappear" only if you have it shutdown or in hibernation. Using drive spindown will give you good power savings and you don't have to worry about the NAS falling off the network. Besides Wake on LAN can be hard to configure and get working.

Meaning in regard to any of the NAS that I have mentioned, their spec do not really matter if I plan to do it wirelessly because their speed would be limited by the connection speed? I know the speed varies according to users, but roughly how slow would it be if things are transferred wirelessly? for example, how long would it take to transfer a 1GB file wirelessly?

okay, so streaming HD is not possible, how about a non-hd movies?

802.11g wireless provides best case around 20 Mbps or 2.5 MB/s throughput. Typical speed will probably be around half that. 802.11n might give you 4X 11g speeds.

1080p content needs 20 - 30 Mbps reliable, steady throughput.

Success with streaming any video content wirelessly depends on the bandwidth requirements of the content and the buffering in your player.
This article has some helpful info HD Streaming Smackdown: Draft 11n vs. Powerline

any comments on the comparison between the NAS that I have mentioned? I don't seem to be able to find much comparison between these NAS online, if I have miss any, would be really glad to have the links.

All the products you are considering can do what you want. But you are wasting your money buying anything more than the least expensive product if you are connecting to them wirelessly.

 

[wannabe1988]

That is correct.

The NAS will "disappear" only if you have it shutdown or in hibernation. Using drive spindown will give you good power savings and you don't have to worry about the NAS falling off the network. Besides Wake on LAN can be hard to configure and get working.


802.11g wireless provides best case around 20 Mbps or 2.5 MB/s throughput. Typical speed will probably be around half that. 802.11n might give you 4X 11g speeds.

1080p content needs 20 - 30 Mbps reliable, steady throughput.

Success with streaming any video content wirelessly depends on the bandwidth requirements of the content and the buffering in your player.
This article has some helpful info HD Streaming Smackdown: Draft 11n vs. Powerline

All the products you are considering can do what you want. But you are wasting your money buying anything more than the least expensive product if you are connecting to them wirelessly.

Thanks, in that case, I might be better off with the buffalo or ds110j? because the main purpose of the NAS is to do wireless backup and files transfer.

Do people generally then attach their NAS to their laptop directly?

Lastly, How about WD my book live? both WD My Book Live and Buffalo LinkStation Pro 2.0TB have about the same spec and features, but in your opinion, which of these would be better suit and reliable for my need?

Sorry to keep firing so many questions but you have been really helpful! Thank you for everything!