Long term storage compatibilty/access

[alig2]

I am currently producing 500g+ of new files every year (photos), I need immediate access for about 2 years or so, after that I only need access rarely.
My first thoughts were simply a pair of RAID1 arrays, each large enough for 2 years or so. When the first array was full, files would go to the 2nd array. When the 1st array was older enough, it would be removed and replaced with new drives. This way I rotate new and larger drives into the array every few years and I have my own archiving system.
However this seems to have some long term problems.
Ideally future file access could be as simple as connecting one of the archived drives back directly to the pc, sata or esata, this would mean the drive format and mbr woiuld have to be FAT32 or NTFS. This seems to be rarity in the NAS world. Most are ext3, XFS, etc.
It seems to be that current redundancy/archiving and future proofing are in conflict.

Anyone have some thoughts or a better mousetrap?

 

[scotty]

Instead of sticking with a NAS, why not just create yourself a little server (or second PC) running a windows OS? If you can live with the 10-user connection limit on XP and a bit more power consumption, it can work just fine as networked storage. And at least there you'd have drives formatted in NTFS or FAT32, so you'd have an easier time reading it on a future windows machine (although you can never fully guarantee future compatibility). Seems like a pretty safe way to go.

 

[bliko]

If you use your raid 1 for your active data (past two years of files), then archive to an esata drive each year.

If you archive to esata with an ext3 file system; you can still easily mount it from windows using a small utility. Since you will only need to be accessing the archive disks occasionally; this shouldn't be too much trouble.

I think a nas would be a better idea than a little server if you're going to be buying the hardware new. However if you have a fairly low power old pc lying arround they you might aswell use that.

If you don't need to share the photos on the network, i've found it's usually better to have them on an esata drive directly connected to your pc. Unless you have a speedy(expensive) nas, this way is usually alot faster and takes less time to load up thumbnails etc.. Just my thoughts.

 

[MoralDelima]

You might also want to check out MozyHome. Unlimited online backup for $5 a month. Might be a solution if you're only accessing it rarely (after you've phased it out of the first array.


http://mozy.com/home