NAS for small Business

[Marshall]

Hi Everyone,

I have small Graphic Design Business which I run from a leased studio.
We have 3 Windows XP PC's networked to a IBM 206x Server by ethernet and a Dlink gigabit switch. We also have three printers on the network.
I am adding two Apple Imacs to the network and replacing the IBM server with a NAS. Basically we just want to be able to have central file storage that has Raid 1 and is able to share client files on the network and is able to backup to an external hard drive.
So far I am looking at either the QNAP TS-209Pro, QNAP TS-201 or Buffalo LinkStation Live LS-CH1.0TL which I know the Buffalo does not have Raid.

I should also add I don't really want to spend any more than $500 Australian.
Would like to know if anyone could recommend a NAS or has any comments on the NAS units I was thinking of using.

Kind Regards

 

[thiggins]

What is it about the QNAPS that made you select them?
And why the Buffalo?

With your requirements, most any NAS will work. How much storage are you looking for?

 

[bliko]

I'm guessing capacity will not be such an issue for you guys, however I think you will be after a fair bit of speed if your going to be storing graphic files.

I would recommend the Synology DS-207:
http://synology.com/enu/products/DS207/index.php
In my experience it works fairly well in your type of scenario.

The synology web-gui is particulary good, and has lots of features which you may/may not find usefull in the future.

I'm glad to see you've thought about your backup.

 

[Marshall]

We are after 1TB of storage.
Our Server has 320GB of Storage which is set as a Raid 1 using SCSI Drives.
The reason we do not want to keep the server is the Hard drives are to expensive to upgrade, and if we upgrade the hard drives we have to purchase another tape drive for back up, as the one we have currently will not back up more than 320GB.
We have also nearly filled the 320GB of Space, as our files are normally large.

I chose the QNAP and Buffalo because mainly because the software supplied works with Apple Mac, and the reviews have been good. I have also looked a the Lacie NAS.

Thanks bliko, I had a look at the Synology DS-207. Will consider this, as I forgot to mention the NAS needs to work from a APC UPS, which this model supports.

 

[thiggins]

Whatever NAS you choose, you still have the issue of backup since RAID is not backup.

 

[bliko]

Basically we just want to be able to have central file storage that has Raid 1 and is able to share client files on the network and is able to backup to an external hard drive.

He has considered backup, however i would like to add that a replacement nas is a better backup than ext hdd: if the first nas goes down u can simply replace it with the second.

Aswell as backing up your data remember to backup your config files.

 

[Marshall]

Whatever NAS you choose, you still have the issue of backup since RAID is not backup.

Well it kind of is, one of servers hard drives failed, and we were still able to work because the other had the data as well. Which meant a quick call to IBM and they replaced the drive.

Speaking of Backup what do you all think of Tape Backup, we have a VXA320.
It's great but very slow, the IT guys that service our server, recommend not to back up to a external hard drive, as it's not secure as Tape.
I think nowdays most of the External back drives are pretty secure and safe to carry off site.

 

[bliko]

What tim means is; other server components may fail and make your data unavailable i.e. Psu, raid controller, nic, both hdds... So a backup is essential.

A USB or esata hdd is generally suitable for soho purposes. Unless your data is highly sensetive, extra protection shouldn't be that necisary. You can always backup your critical data to a remote service for minimal cost. When taking data home on removable media, just be carefull with it weather or not it's encrypted.

No backup is perfect, the ammount you should spend on security and backup depends on the probability of data loss and value of data... Best not to go overkill, since extra complexity accompanies more advanced/additional measures... This generally means extra time and money spent.

As I said, for your purposes an ext hdd or duplicate nas should be fine. Remote backup is suggested for atleast your critical files such as accounts, customer database etc.... Just incase you get a break in or something.