SME NAS solution : QNAP TS-439U-SP / Dell PowerEdge R410 / Dell PowerVault NX300

[pepitoo]

Hi,

I am looking for a smb network storage solution, find below the details :
1. Needs to be mounted on a 1U rack
2. Storage capacity 3 to 4TB
3. 50-60 users will connect it from LAN ( Gigabit )
4. users will be using the server to store and access documents and make a backup every night.

I got impressed with QNAP TS-439U-SP, but I am little worried about performance. How many users an Intel 1,6 Ghz ATOM + 1Gb memory can handle ?

For a more robust solution, i found out 2 interesting dell's product :

Dell PowerVault NX300 : This have all the needed characteristics , is more scalable and comes with Windows Server storage which is a ready to use NAS.

Dell PowerEdge R410 : This have all the needed caracteristics, very scalable to futur needs but doesn't come with a ready to use NAS solution. I am thinking about purchasing this product and install an Ubuntu or FreeNAS on it. The price will be more competitive than the NX300.

I am really hesitating between those 3 solutions and looking for some advices before i make my move.

 

[thiggins]

I can't speak for multi-user performance since I don't test it. Atom, may be a bit light, though for CPU oomph.

But QNAP, Thecus and NETGEAR are out to replace low-end servers and expensive NetApp stuff, so keep an eye.

Also check out NETGEAR's rackmount ReadyNAS 2100.

 

[pepitoo]

The Netgear NAS also seems a reliable solution, with its integrated Intel processor and 1G ECC memory.

This still brings up the question :
Is such a configuration ( QNAP TS-439U-SP or Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 ) enough for a multiple users use ( 50 users ) ?

Do I have to keep looking into this kind of solution or should I consider buying a more high end solution such as the Dell Poweredge model ?

 

[thiggins]

This still brings up the question :
Is such a configuration ( QNAP TS-439U-SP or Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 ) enough for a multiple users use ( 50 users ) ?

It depends on how heavily the users will be hitting the NAS.

I think the Atom may not have enough power. I'd go for a product with a strong a CPU as you can get and as much memory.

 

[pepitoo]

Thanks thiggins we went for the Dell NX300 with WSS2008.