Need a NAS for SOHO

[Drax]

Alright fellas, i've been a reader of SNB for a good year now but I've never been active in the forums. I post a lot on Overclock.net and a few other sites, but I thought coming to the experts was a good idea. I usually did backups with USB drives but I'm looking to move into the 2-Disk NAS world. I am a very tech-savvy guy and I can learn how to use just about anything, so im not afraid of jumping into a system with unknown features (I really enjoy trying new stuff).

Anyway, long story short, this is what I need:

• 1.5 TB Data Backup
• Remote Access
• Management abilities
• Data safety
• Backup to other NAS/USB/eSATA (optional)
• BYOD is highly desired
• SPEED IS ESSENTIAL

After doing hours and hours of research I finally came up with a few contenders.

QNAP TS-219P
QNAP TS-219 (Few less features than the P version, no Hot Swap/eSata)
Thecus N3200


I'm really suck with what I should buy, and I need to purchase soon.

I'm really open to suggestions, so let me know! Thanks in advance!

 

[claykin]

My vote would be either of the Qnap models. If speed is important consider the TS-239.

Also look at the Synology DS-209 and DS-209+II.

I don't want to surprise Tim and not give my shameless plug for the Readynas series, so here it goes. Yes, the Readynas Duo its slow and lacks a few of the bells and whistles of the Qnap and Synology boxes, but its reliable and has a nice Remote utility.

 

[Drax]

Well, I checked out the specs of the TS-219P, and its pretty close to the 239 pro but it is a Marvell Processor at 1.2GHz. The 239 is high 400 dollar price range so I'd like to stay away from that.

Reading the recent Backing up your Nas articles I dont know if I should go with synology, but I will read up about the Readynas. Thanks for your response! I just hope Tim can get in here.

 

[thiggins]

If I understand your requirements correctly, you're basically going to use the NAS as backup storage. So since all NASes support SMB/CIFS, which all client OSes also support, that's not a limiting criteria.

I don't know what "management abilities" mean, so I'll ignore that for now.

I haven't tested the QNAP dual-drives. But I'd expect performance to be similar to the single drive TS119 (same CPU and memory).

Using the Price / Performance charts and filtering for dual-drive models (or RAID 1), the Buffalo TeraStation Duo would actually be a pretty good pick. Downside is that it's not BYOD.

 

[Drax]

If I understand your requirements correctly, you're basically going to use the NAS as backup storage. So since all NASes support SMB/CIFS, which all client OSes also support, that's not a limiting criteria.

I don't know what "management abilities" mean, so I'll ignore that for now.

I haven't tested the QNAP dual-drives. But I'd expect performance to be similar to the single drive TS119 (same CPU and memory).

Using the Price / Performance charts and filtering for dual-drive models (or RAID 1), the Buffalo TeraStation Duo would actually be a pretty good pick. Downside is that it's not BYOD.

Haha, ignore the management abilities. Even I dont remember what I meant by that. I think I just saw QNAP's AJAX web based interface.

If its not BYOD it really kills it for me, but if you think the TeraStation Duo is great shakes then ill try it. I can always just sell it.

Thank you for your responses! I am very grateful!

 

[claykin]

If I understand your requirements correctly, you're basically going to use the NAS as backup storage. So since all NASes support SMB/CIFS, which all client OSes also support, that's not a limiting criteria.

I don't know what "management abilities" mean, so I'll ignore that for now.

I haven't tested the QNAP dual-drives. But I'd expect performance to be similar to the single drive TS119 (same CPU and memory).

Using the Price / Performance charts and filtering for dual-drive models (or RAID 1), the Buffalo TeraStation Duo would actually be a pretty good pick. Downside is that it's not BYOD.

Tim

I believe the OP is also looking for remote access to his files. TeraStation Duo?

 

[Drax]

Tim

I believe the OP is also looking for remote access to his files. TeraStation Duo?

Remote access is good stuff.

I also have another question, I'm a member of TechNet and I got Windows Home Server to try out, I used it for a while, and it was pretty decent. I looked at your review of the HP MSS and it looks like its damn fast. What do you think about this for my needs?

 

[thiggins]

I believe the OP is also looking for remote access to his files. TeraStation Duo?

All Buffalo NASes support remote access via the free BuffaloNAS.com service.

WHS would also work fine. The LX195 is an inexpensive way to go for WHS.

 

[claykin]

All Buffalo NASes support remote access via the free BuffaloNAS.com service.

WHS would also work fine. The LX195 is an inexpensive way to go for WHS.

Cool Tim. Its odd that Buffalo somehow doesn't mention the BuffaloNAS service in their Terrastation marketing materials on the www.buffalotech.com site.

 

[thiggins]

Cool Tim. Its odd that Buffalo somehow doesn't mention the BuffaloNAS service in their Terrastation marketing materials on the www.buffalotech.com site.

I agree. I pointed that out to them and suggested they fix it.