NAS Newb: Suggestions Appreciated

[Lowkase]

Hi,

I am new to NAS.

Historically I have solved my backup needs with USB drives but I am finding it too cumbersome and inefficient.

Its time to make a foray into NAS, here are my basic requirements, any suggestions for products are very much appreciated:

- For home use only.
- 2 drive NAS solution - I like things mirrored.
- 500 GB to 1 TB total storage. Pictures and music are my most pressing storage needs. I can't see going over 1 TB for many years to come. We don't download movies or TV shows.
- iTunes support.
- Minimal backup support. I have a good system in place already. I don't need any thing fancy.
- Easy integration into Windows XP and Windows Explorer (shows up as a network drive in Windows Explorer without killing myself to configure).
- I don't require a HTTP server service of any type. I am a web developer but rely on 3rd party hosting solutions for my hosting needs.
- Preferably quiet and low energy consumption, but it’s not a deal breaker.


I have been looking at the Buffalo LinkStation line:
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/network-storage/linkstation/

Am I on the right track?

Are there any glaring omissions from my requirements list?

Thank you once again for any suggestions.


Cheers,

Lowkase

 

[thiggins]

You didn't say anything about performance.

The LinkStations are fine, but the designs are a bit dated (slower).

You might consider BYOD (diskless) products. Drive replacement is usually more of a hassle with diskful products.

I suggest you hit the NAS Charts and maybe take a look at this article to help you narrow down your selection.

You might consider the D-Link DNS-321/323. Or the Netgear ReadyNAS Duo if you want to move up to more features (and higher price).

 

[happyisland]

very similar question

Hello there,

I found your site while looking around for answers about what kind of NAS setup to buy. It's very informative - thanks.

Anyway, like the OP in this thread I am looking for a simple home file server/backup system. I currently have a bunch of ripped cds and dvds on my desktop and my wife wants to be able to access the media files on her laptop via her wireless connection to our router.

We have basic needs:

1) around 300GB of space.
2) easy to setup.
3) works without issue with our home computers, which both run ubuntu.

I don't think performance will really be an issue since we'll just need to do audio and video streaming for a max of two computers.

Any input as to what device to buy and how to set it up would be much appreciated.

BTW, I read the articles you linked to and they were very helpful. I would now like more specific recommendations, if possible.


PS: after a recommendation on the ubuntuforums I was leaning toward getting the old and slow (but cheap and easy/reliable) Linksys NSLU2. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[claykin]

Readynas Duo for both of you. Its reliable, relatively easy to setup, has a good user support group, decent performance, and just works! Don't mess with toys. Your time isn't worth it!

 

[happyisland]

Readynas Duo for both of you. Its reliable, relatively easy to setup, has a good user support group, decent performance, and just works! Don't mess with toys. Your time isn't worth it!

Hey Claykin,

Thanks for the quick response and the solid recommendation. I just checked out the readynas site and it looks like it could be perfect. I still have one question though: do you know of a similar solution that would be a BYOD solution? I happen to have a few SATA drives lying around...


I really appreciate whatever advice you can throw my way!

 

[claykin]

Are the drives you have laying around on the approved drives list? See here:

http://www.readynas.com/?page_id=82
http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2464

Also read the forum postings by users on other drives that are known to work. Try not to make your life difficult by using a drive that has known compatibility issues.

Each vendor has their own drive compatibility list. So, if you choose another vendor, make sure your drives will work.

Unfortunately, the Readynas Duo does not come diskless. Many of us here wish Netgear would offer this option. If your disks are on the compatibility list, you can use it as the second drive.

Hey Claykin,

Thanks for the quick response and the solid recommendation. I just checked out the readynas site and it looks like it could be perfect. I still have one question though: do you know of a similar solution that would be a BYOD solution? I happen to have a few SATA drives lying around...


I really appreciate whatever advice you can throw my way!

 

[Chuckl]

Ok the gig is up.

Do you work for NetGear/Infrant or something, or do you just love ReadyNas that much, you pimp it in 8 different threads.

 

[claykin]

Don't work for Netgear or Infrant. How's this to prove it....

Wish The Duo had the read/write performance of the Synology DS207+ or the forthcoming 209+!! ( I know you like the 209+). I do too, and it may become my new 2 drive favorite if Synology keeps it up.

Ok the gig is up.

Do you work for NetGear/Infrant or something, or do you just love ReadyNas that much, you pimp it in 8 different threads.

 

[Chuckl]

Just busting your stones.

After reading more about ReadyNas, if they had an newer Duo or NV+ model coming out soon, I would seriously be interesting.

 

[happyisland]

Are the drives you have laying around on the approved drives list? See here:

http://www.readynas.com/?page_id=82
http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2464

Also read the forum postings by users on other drives that are known to work. Try not to make your life difficult by using a drive that has known compatibility issues.

Each vendor has their own drive compatibility list. So, if you choose another vendor, make sure your drives will work.

Unfortunately, the Readynas Duo does not come diskless. Many of us here wish Netgear would offer this option. If your disks are on the compatibility list, you can use it as the second drive.

Well thanks a lot for the recommendation. And if you do work for Netgear you should definitely ask for a commission, since you just sold me a readynas.

 

[wonmoi]

ReadyNas Duo

Don't work for Netgear or Infrant. How's this to prove it....

Wish The Duo had the read/write performance of the Synology DS207+ or the forthcoming 209+!! ( I know you like the 209+). I do too, and it may become my new 2 drive favorite if Synology keeps it up.

Hi claykin,
Do you know if they have fixed the backup to external NAS problem highlighted by Doug in his June review?
I want to be able to schedule backups to external NASes with the ReadyNas as the primary storage.

wonmoi

 

[claykin]

Have you tried Radiator V4.1.3 or 4.1.4?

Release notes:
http://www.readynas.com/?p=477
http://www.readynas.com/?p=599

Hi claykin,
Do you know if they have fixed the backup to external NAS problem highlighted by Doug in his June review?
I want to be able to schedule backups to external NASes with the ReadyNas as the primary storage.

wonmoi

 

[yoh-dah]

Hi claykin,
Do you know if they have fixed the backup to external NAS problem highlighted by Doug in his June review?
I want to be able to schedule backups to external NASes with the ReadyNas as the primary storage.

wonmoi

Yes, this has been fixed with the latest firmware update and it's been verified working between two ReadyNAS.

 

[claykin]

Now, this guy may work for Netgear/Infrant. But, who cares if he knows what he's talking about!

Yes, this has been fixed with the latest firmware update and it's been verified working between two ReadyNAS.

 

[wonmoi]

ReadyNas Duo Backup to External Nas

Thank you claykin & yoh-dah for both your responses.
I suppose it should work with external NASes other than another ReadyNas.

 

[happyisland]

question about HD compatibility

Hey all,

On the recommendation of this forum (I'm looking at you, claykin) I bought a readynas duo on a recent visit to that land of consumer milk and honey, the US.

Here's where the plot thickens: I completely forgot about hard disk compatibility, and bought a WD5000AACS drive for the second bay. Doh!

From my reading of the readynas.com forums this drive is not compatible because it is "known to have ATA errors when disk spin down is enabled." So I just wanted confirmation that I am an idiot before I go out and buy a compatible HD at aruban retail prices. Will this thing work? Or will it bork my RAID?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[beisser]

that harddisk will work fine if you dont enable disk spindown.

the only downside is that you cant put it to sleep.. otherwise it works fine.

 

[yoh-dah]

Here's where the plot thickens: I completely forgot about hard disk compatibility, and bought a WD5000AACS drive for the second bay. Doh!

From my reading of the readynas.com forums this drive is not compatible because it is "known to have ATA errors when disk spin down is enabled." So I just wanted confirmation that I am an idiot before I go out and buy a compatible HD at aruban retail prices. Will this thing work? Or will it bork my RAID?

Thanks in advance for the help!

We're working on a work-around for this drive and we're targeting for the fix to be implemented in a release due in a couple months. In the meantime, you can disable spin-down as beisser recommended.

 

[happyisland]

Ok, thanks for the advice!