NAS, ext HD and performance for home use

[jdibber]

I need a NAS or ext HD for file backup. I'm currently backing up files from one PC to another PC over a network and would like to get away from that setup. Is the key difference b/t a NAS and an ext HD is the latter needs a PC (or a router) for file access? If my primary need is to backup files on a PC, it seems a NAS would be overkill. However, if I wanted some of the features of NAS (per SNB articles, like faster file sharing b/t PCs or media streaming to a PS3), it seems the NAS would be a better choice.

Am I on the right track here? If so, I have dumb question on NAS speed/performace. According to the charts, the Netgear ReadyNas's are in the 70s for avg read performace and the inexpensive dlink 321 is near the bottom of the chart at 11.3. This is a big range. How does the large difference in read performace impact my need for file backups and streaming HD video and pics to my PS3 (network is 10/100/1000 all around)?

In a nut shell, what does the extra performance (and cost!) get me?

many thanks!

 

[00Roush]

Well my take on the NAS vs external HD is basically one is available to all computers on a network and the other is mostly available to just a single computer. The benefit of having a NAS (or file server) is that you can centrally locate all of your files and backups on a single storage device. Then you can access those files or backups from any computer that is connected to the network. A bit easier than moving an external HD between computers to access files.

The difference in performance basically means your backups and file copies will happen faster. Also the initial copying of data from your computers to the NAS will take less time. I believe that Tim previously said just about any of the current NASes on the market can handle streaming music and HD content. The difference you might notice between the two mentioned NASes is when multiple connections come in to play. What I mean is if someone is using a PS3 to play a HD movie and then someone on another computer is browsing the NAS the low end NAS might cause hiccups on the HD movie.

To my knowledge most of the higher priced units not only have room for more drives they also provide more features. Like hosting web sites, RAID expansion, RAID migration, torrent downloading, etc.

00Roush

 

[jdibber]

thanks for the reply. For some reason, I couldn't get past the ReadyNAS Duo slow performance. Ended up getting the Buffalo Technology LinkStation Pro LS-XHL for about $150 cheaper than the ReadyNas, albeit no RAID.