Looking at HP MediaSmart, Synology 409

[tbutler@ofb.biz]

I was thinking about an HP MediaSmart Home Server for a NAS. It seems like performance wise, it is much faster than traditional NASes of the same price range (particularly as a four bay NAS!). It is also relatively flexible.

Problem: I'm wondering if the new Mac "bare metal" recovery of the 490 will be provided as an upgrade for the 487? I'd probably buy the 490, but it seems HP is releasing these things pretty frequently and if (as I fear) HP is not passing along new software features to existing models, I'm inclined to think I'd be better off with something else... certainly, I don't want to buy something only to find out that while the hardware is fine it must be replaced if some new software feature I like comes out!

Barring the MediaSmart, I'm leaning towards the Synology 409 (not the plus model). Thoughts on it? I started out looking at the ReadyNAS line, but it seems that the charts show the ReadyNAS units as being a lot slower than its price peers.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[thiggins]

I don't know about HP's upgrade policy on its MediaSmarts, sorry.
Remember that WHS-based NASes don't have the overhead of RAID when reading and writing. But when they go through their rebalancing and data duplication, they slow down considerably. These processes should occur, however, during overnight or other idle times when you won't notice them.

The NETGEAR NVX is the most comparable to the DS409 for performance. But even the driveless Pro Pioneer (RNDX400E) model is pricey @ $700 - $750.

The DS409 is a pretty good value. QNAP's equivalent is the TS-419P, which runs around $600.

 

[jam3ohio]

HP 487 Update

So far, HP has either released or committed to release all new features in software updates. The bare metal option is to be included in the version 3.0 update due in Q4 this year. I'll also get it for my 475, their Gen 1 product.

 

[tbutler@ofb.biz]

Thanks guys!

Jam, do you know if there is a place where HP keeps information on that update posted?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[jam3ohio]

Mss

Sorry to omit that. Here is a link to a website that tracks everything MSS, and the HP press release is linked inside this article, too.

http://www.mediasmartserver.net/200...ing-software-upgrades-for-mediasmart-servers/

I have been very happy with support from HP, and this upgrade is IMHO a nice one to extend to folks that invested in Gen 1 of the product, like me.

Good luck with either option!

Jim

 

[jam3ohio]

tbutler,

If you go MSS, I'd suggest the 495 versus 490. It is dual core and more powerful so should have more utility for longer.

One good thing about either the 490 or 495 is it supports esata port multipliers, so you could expand the unit by adding four more drives in a esata tower. If use buy 2tb drives, that of course gets you another 8tb. This option is on my 47x series but they dropped it in the 48x series. For that reason, I'd recommend the 490/495.

Jim