New NAS (Synology 210j advice)

[Piet]

Morning!

As I am planning to finally setup a NAS in my home for various purposes, I have been browsing the internet and specifically these forums this weekend.
After doing the long version of the “how to choose the right NAS for you” article, I came up with the following conclusions:

Needs/wants:
1. Music sharing (25-50 GB)
1a. iTunes server to keep all itunes accounts synched
1b. streaming to a compatible DLNA device (haven’t decided which one yet, so suggestions are welcome)
2. Photo storage and sharing/streaming (50-100 GB)
3. Video storage and streaming (no GB yet, but expecting 250-500 GB)
4. General data storage and file sharing (250-500 GB)
5. BitTorrent functions
6. External back-up through USB (for offline photo back-ups)
7. FTP would be nice (if it speeds up transferring)

Full back-up is not required, as most files will be replaceable. Big exceptions will be the photo’s which I would like to keep on an offline back-up medium (just to be sure in case of unexpected circumstances).

I do not need stellar performance from the NAS (I have no problem waiting for large chunks of data to be transferred), it should however be fast enough to stream audio and video without hiccups.

All in all I currently do not require more than 1 TB of space, but in the future would like the ability to expand. A BYOD NAS would therefore be preferred.

With this in mind I ended up with the Synology DS210j on my screen. Yet questions keep popping up in my head to which I can’t seem to find an answer. Hopefully you guys could help me along a bit with information or suggestions.

1. Will it be possible to start out with a setup with just one 1TB disc, and to add a second when I require the extra space?
2. Will it be fast enough for audio and video streaming over a wired 100/1000 connection?
3. Will it be fast enough for audio and video streaming over a wireless 802.11n connection (using my sitecom 300N-XR WL-306)?
4. Any suggestion on which HD’s to use in the NAS (size around 1TB)
5. Any suggestion on which device to use at the receiving end of the video stream (regretfully my Samsung tv, 6000 series, does not support DLNA)? I have been looking at a PS3, some home cinema sets (LG HB965TZ), and some blu ray players (LG BD 390, Samsun BD-P3600), but can’t find any compatibility comparisons.

Bit of a long post in the end, but if you got all the way down here, any help or suggestions are appreciated!

Kind regards,

Piet

 

[thiggins]

Yes, you will be able to add a second disk.Simplest way will be to keep them as separate volumes.

The NAS will be fast enough even with a 100Mbps connection for audio and HD video. Wireless HD will depend more on your router and environment. No guarantees that it will be trouble free. But that is not a NAS issue.

I have no suggestions for items 4 & 5.

 

[fry]

Morning!

As I am planning to finally setup a NAS in my home for various purposes, I have been browsing the internet and specifically these forums this weekend.
After doing the long version of the “how to choose the right NAS for you” article, I came up with the following conclusions:

Needs/wants:
1. Music sharing (25-50 GB)
1a. iTunes server to keep all itunes accounts synched
1b. streaming to a compatible DLNA device (haven’t decided which one yet, so suggestions are welcome)
2. Photo storage and sharing/streaming (50-100 GB)
3. Video storage and streaming (no GB yet, but expecting 250-500 GB)
4. General data storage and file sharing (250-500 GB)
5. BitTorrent functions
6. External back-up through USB (for offline photo back-ups)
7. FTP would be nice (if it speeds up transferring)

Full back-up is not required, as most files will be replaceable. Big exceptions will be the photo’s which I would like to keep on an offline back-up medium (just to be sure in case of unexpected circumstances).

I do not need stellar performance from the NAS (I have no problem waiting for large chunks of data to be transferred), it should however be fast enough to stream audio and video without hiccups.

All in all I currently do not require more than 1 TB of space, but in the future would like the ability to expand. A BYOD NAS would therefore be preferred.

With this in mind I ended up with the Synology DS210j on my screen. Yet questions keep popping up in my head to which I can’t seem to find an answer. Hopefully you guys could help me along a bit with information or suggestions.

1. Will it be possible to start out with a setup with just one 1TB disc, and to add a second when I require the extra space?
2. Will it be fast enough for audio and video streaming over a wired 100/1000 connection?
3. Will it be fast enough for audio and video streaming over a wireless 802.11n connection (using my sitecom 300N-XR WL-306)?
4. Any suggestion on which HD’s to use in the NAS (size around 1TB)
5. Any suggestion on which device to use at the receiving end of the video stream (regretfully my Samsung tv, 6000 series, does not support DLNA)? I have been looking at a PS3, some home cinema sets (LG HB965TZ), and some blu ray players (LG BD 390, Samsun BD-P3600), but can’t find any compatibility comparisons.

Bit of a long post in the end, but if you got all the way down here, any help or suggestions are appreciated!

Kind regards,

Piet

Hi Piet,

Did you solve this problem? I've found at least 2 other posts with almost identical requirements. I don't need the DLNA piece (I don't think), just the ability to stream to an AppleTV with XBMC/Boxee.