Looking for a SBS/NAS-need suggestions

[kevinpreuss]

First off, I know near to nothing about NAS and very little about SBS2008.

I am trying to understand which one of these best fits my needs and budget is big concern, hence why I would like to stay away from a server setup especially since NAS has become so feature rich. This NAS will sit behind new Linksys EA2700

I currently have a WD MyBook-World Edition and it just doesn't meet my needs.

What I currently need(in full):

• Users(min 25) Permissions
o Different access to different level folders/sub folders-currently the myBook only allows for permissions on the high level folder-I also need sub folders to have permissions changed.
• Users(min 25) access via the web
• NAS Admin access via the web
• Automatic syncing of user account files when on the network or/and have internet access
• RAID 1
• min 4TB in RAID/2TB active space
• Dynamic DNS



Would really like but not necessary:

• Secure/Encrypted Disc
• Automatic back up to another NAS-offsite(once a week) via the internet
• Print server
• Large CAD files

I am open to all suggestions

Thank you for your help.

Kevin

 

[stevech]

IMO: Synology or QNAP. Look at the reviews. Then go to each vendor's web site and try the product on-line.

I did, and chose Synology.

 

[kevinpreuss]

Well, I believe I have decided on the Synology DS212.

I have a small business. I will be using this to be able to access files from inside my studio and as well as remotely. I also need my employees to have the same access to the file server.

Due to this being essentially a file server with permissions, i didn't know if I needed to set up a real server with security for thousands of dollars or if this would be an appropriate choice. I have messed around with an Ubuntu server setup that I could NEVER remote into. I am tired of learning new tech and was looking for the easiest solution.

So after 2 days of reading, I believe the best solution for a file server with multiple levels of permissions similar to Windows AD and that I can remote into, is the Synology DS212.

This way I can set projects, record time-sheets, estimates & invoices, and save company documents on the server. However I didn't want everyone seeing the invoices or certain documents-hence the different levels of permissions on folders. Since we have flexible schedules and locations(everyone has a laptop) I also wanted Admin access to change NAS settings remotely. The other feature I like is once I have another Synology set up offsite, I can start backing up to that NAS.

I just haven't figured out if I might want a more business based NAS or if this one will suffice. If the extra cost is worth it.

One last thing, since I will have sensitive company documents on this NAS(easily picked up and stolen), should I encrypt the hard-drive? I have never lost/forgotten a password or pass-phrase. Should I look at a NAS with floating point or Hardware Encrypted Engine

Kevin