NAS Advice -- pondering 4 bay units including RN NVX

[jl_678]

Hi,

I am an active photographer and am rapidly running out of disk space on my primary system. Historically, I have used a Linux box with Samba to provide disk storage, but it is almost maxed out (only 250 GB total cap.) and I have decided to go to a purpose built NAS solution.

I am looking at 4 bay models because I need the scalability. I am typically pushing 20 MB image files and anticipate this increasing to about 35 MB shortly. The key goal is the ability to rapidly read and write these image files to the NAS box in the basement. I also would like easy expansion (both physical disk and RAID) because the nature of photography is that you can never have enough space and so it will be a question of when I add capacity not if.

I have looked at so many options here at SNB and am a bit overwhelmed. Being a bit of techie, I have been impressed the ReadyNAS NVX and its performance and XRAID2. Of course, it is expensive, but at about $1,000 for the 2 TB version with enterprise drives, it does not seem as outrageous as it once was. I have also considered the Synology DS-409+. Which brings me to my questions:

What do the experts here think would be the best choice for me?
Would I really notice the increased speed of the NVX? (Note I do have a GigE wired LAN)
Are there other options that I should consider?

Thank you!

JL

 

[claykin]

Hi,

I am an active photographer and am rapidly running out of disk space on my primary system. Historically, I have used a Linux box with Samba to provide disk storage, but it is almost maxed out (only 250 GB total cap.) and I have decided to go to a purpose built NAS solution.

I am looking at 4 bay models because I need the scalability. I am typically pushing 20 MB image files and anticipate this increasing to about 35 MB shortly. The key goal is the ability to rapidly read and write these image files to the NAS box in the basement. I also would like easy expansion (both physical disk and RAID) because the nature of photography is that you can never have enough space and so it will be a question of when I add capacity not if.

I have looked at so many options here at SNB and am a bit overwhelmed. Being a bit of techie, I have been impressed the ReadyNAS NVX and its performance and XRAID2. Of course, it is expensive, but at about $1,000 for the 2 TB version with enterprise drives, it does not seem as outrageous as it once was. I have also considered the Synology DS-409+.

Yes, XRAID2 is slick, but note that both Synology and QNAP support online RAID expansion. It may not be as mature as Netgears solution, but its available on the newer firmware versions using tools from OpenLinux. See here:

http://forum.synology.com/wiki/index.php/Planning_for_disks_in_your_Synology_Product

http://qnap.com/pro_features_RLM.asp

Which brings me to my questions:

What do the experts here think would be the best choice for me?

Only the Shadow knows . Really, its a tough question to answer. Its a matter of preference to some extent. I prefer Netgear because I know the product, interface, quirks, etc. Plus their support is excellent. Warranty is also 5 years on the NVX and they will send you an exchange if you have hardware problems. Visit forums for all 3 vendors and poke around. Also read Tim's reviews.

Would I really notice the increased speed of the NVX? (Note I do have a GigE wired LAN)

NVX is a bit faster than 409+ See these charts.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php?option=com_nas&Itemid=190

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php?option=com_nas&Itemid=&chart=12

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php?option=com_nas&Itemid=167

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php?option=com_nas&Itemid=167

Are there other options that I should consider?

QNAP 439 Pro?

Last thing. You may want to peruse through this discussion with another user.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2403

 

[PowerMAC]

With your budget I would seriously consider going for the QNAP TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS. I have one myself and couldn't be happier with it;

- it's lightning fast (see the NAS charts on this site) of which you say "is your key goal",
- it has Wake-On-LAN so you can turn it on/off when YOU want and need it,
- its build quality is very solid (metal case) and assembly is clean,
- the five drives are hot-swappable (so no downtime if a disk fails),
- it has an extra eSATA connection (for fast external backups),
- it has a handy LCD display (for status and a PC-less initial setup),
- there are many extra application packages available for it (QPKG)
- you'll get space for an extra drive! (5 instead of 4 drives)

... and as an added bonus, it is extremely future-proof because both the memory AND the cpu can be upgraded!!! (to 4 GB mem and 2.8 GHz cpu if you want!)

Go and research this awesome NAS, look at its features, compare its price/performance with other NAS devices and read reviews about it here or on other good sites like mpcclub.com, you'll see for yourself how awesome this NAS is. Good luck!

 

[claykin]

With your budget I would seriously consider going for the QNAP TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS. I have one myself and couldn't be happier with it;

- it's lightning fast (see the NAS charts on this site) of which you say "is your key goal",
- it has Wake-On-LAN so you can turn it on/off when YOU want and need it,
- its build quality is very solid (metal case) and assembly is clean,
- the five drives are hot-swappable (so no downtime if a disk fails),
- it has an extra eSATA connection (for fast external backups),
- it has a handy LCD display (for status and a PC-less initial setup),
- there are many extra application packages available for it (QPKG)
- you'll get space for an extra drive! (5 instead of 4 drives)

... and as an added bonus, it is extremely future-proof because both the memory AND the cpu can be upgraded!!! (to 4 GB mem and 2.8 GHz cpu if you want!)

Go and research this awesome NAS, look at its features, compare its price/performance with other NAS devices and read reviews about it here or on other good sites like mpcclub.com, you'll see for yourself how awesome this NAS is. Good luck!

Agreed, the TS509Pro is a good performer and competitive. A few things to note:

1. Its $200 more than the NVX with 2 x Enterprise 1TB disks.
2. QNAP warranty is 1 year and you must go back to selling dealer for exchange. If selling dealer won't exchange you have to pay $50 for QNAP to ship from Taiwan. Not sure how they handle the return and if its your obligation to pay for Int'l freight.
3. QNAP has no USA support. Support is via forum, email or International phone call (or Skype).
4. Upgrading RAM (or even opening the housing) will void warranty.
5. I would be careful considering upgrading the CPU. I poked around the QNAP forums and see people trying Core2 CPU's with some success, but I don't see anyone worried about the long term implications of using a CPU that draws more power than a 1.6 Celeron with the mainboard PSU design and the 250W case PSU. Can it handle the load in the longrun or will these upgraded units die an early death?

Read QNAP warranty here (this alone is a big part of why I don't try more QNAP products). Maybe thats a bit shortsighted of me, but I like the security of knowing my $1000 investment is backed by someone with US representation.

http://www.qnap.com/WarrantyTermsConditions.asp

 

[PowerMAC]

Agreed, the TS509Pro is a good performer and competitive. A few things to note:

1. Its $200 more than the NVX with 2 x Enterprise 1TB disks.
2. QNAP warranty is 1 year and you must go back to selling dealer for exchange. If selling dealer won't exchange you have to pay $50 for QNAP to ship from Taiwan. Not sure how they handle the return and if its your obligation to pay for Int'l freight.
3. QNAP has no USA support. Support is via forum, email or International phone call (or Skype).
4. Upgrading RAM (or even opening the housing) will void warranty.
5. I would be careful considering upgrading the CPU. I poked around the QNAP forums and see people trying Core2 CPU's with some success, but I don't see anyone worried about the long term implications of using a CPU that draws more power than a 1.6 Celeron with the mainboard PSU design and the 250W case PSU. Can it handle the load in the longrun or will these upgraded units die an early death?

Read QNAP warranty here (this alone is a big part of why I don't try more QNAP products). Maybe thats a bit shortsighted of me, but I like the security of knowing my $1000 investment is backed by someone with US representation.

http://www.qnap.com/WarrantyTermsConditions.asp

I agree, that's indeed shortsighted of you because QNAP does have US representation (making many of your arguments pointless), as you could have easily read for yourself on their website here: http://qnap.com/AboutQNAP.asp

"QNAP is a multi-national company with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, and subsidiary offices in China and the United States".

QNAP US Office

168 University Parkway Pomona, CA 91768-4300
TEL: 909-595-2819
FAX: 909-595-2816
Service Hours: 08:00~17:00 (GMT- 08:00 Pacific Time, Mon. - Fri.)

Also, you seem to be overly concerned about support issues and warranty conditions. I would understand this (a little) if QNAP had had no US representation or if QNAP was a company with a bad reputation or if QNAP used cheap components or if QNAP employed low build quality and messy assemblage. However, none of that is true!!! What's more, the exact opposite applies;

QNAP does have US representation, their build quality is top notch, they have a great reputation, they get excellent reviews and keep winning Editor Choice awards left and right, they use high quality components and internal assembly is very clean and tight, furthermore they seem to be growing rapidly and are adding new features and bringing out new models for many different budgets.

I mentioned the TS-509 upgradeability because I think it's awesome that these upgrades are even POSSIBLE ON THE TS-509 and have already been done successfully by many TS-509 owners, I have not heard you can upgrade both the RAM AND CPU in any of the TS-509 competitor NAS devices!

Of course these upgrades void the warranty, however if you want to play it safe you can always wait until after the warranty expires to do these upgrades (hence, my statement about the TS-509 being very futureproof). Nobody is forcing you to do these upgrades, it's just an extra possibility and a very comforting thought that the device you now own can be brought back up to speed in a couple of years if need be!

Also, a support option that you forgot to mention and one that QNAP Support regularly uses COMPLETELY FREE is that they connect over the internet directly to a customer's NAS and solve a problem.

It's okay that you seem to prefer Netgear, I like both brands and bought a QNAP TS-509 because of its unmatched price/performance.

 

[claykin]

Thanks for clarifying that QNAP has US Representation. Not sure why their warranty terms read the way they do.

You did not address my other points. Good luck with your upgraded CPU. Hopes it doesn't eventually damage your TS509.

Readynas Pro can be upgraded, including RAM and CPU. Netgear permits RAM upgrades without voiding warranty. CPU upgrades will void warranty.

Again, I like the QNAP product. I prefer Readynas.