To NAS or not?

The_Other_One

The_Other_One

VIP Member
OK, does anyone here have a true NAS? Not just a computer acting as a server, but a dedicated NAS system. Something like...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122073

See, I've been debating this for a while. I'd like something that isn't as power-hungry or as hot as a PC for data backup, but I can't decide if it would truly be better...

I was reading up on some, and I hear they require special software. I'd really prefer to avoid that. Others offer FTP access, which would be alright, but not the best alternative. I mean, if I want to stream MP3s from the NAS, I don't want to download them first! I also wonder about the stability, if it'd be any better than a normal PC. And the drives...would the possible extra heat mess them up?

Eh, I don't know. I got an old 300MHz computer that'll probably be my "NAS" but in a way I would like to have a dedicated one... Comments?
 
You didn't answer my question; I wasn't even looking for suggestions. But, as for the one you posted, it doesn't support RAID-1, or duel drives in general which is what I wanted.
 
I looked into some of these devices because they take up less space than an actual computer. However, in the end what I did was slap a bunch of hard drives in a older computer and load Linux on it. I run samba server that has tons of back up space on it and I dump data from both my mac and my PCs since every OS out there supports SMB. Since its a computer, I have more options like running a web server, SFTP, blah blah blah

I mean if you got an older computer lying around that will run Linux, I suggest tossing in several larger HDs and do it that way.

The bad thing about these NAS devices is, that they run on propritary RAID controllers usually (we have several of the LaCie TB drives at my work) and if one drive fails, there is no way to rebuild it, unless you get one of the more expensive solutions that run RAID 5, which well, that is easily at least $1,000 USD right there, if not more.

Also, not to preach about back ups, but really you need back ups of your back ups. You honestly do need more than one. For example, on my main Linux file server I have a folder called data, which I dump all my data into (music, movies, pics, invoices from my side work, etc) all arranged into their own sub folders. I then set up an incremental cron job to use rsync to syncronize the folders to another shared HD over my network, so I have duplicates just in case anything ever dies. I know some of you think that sounds like its super hard, but honestly its not.

Unfortunately, I got rid of my other computers so right now I just have one network share, but I think once I finally buy a house I will rebuild the server and have a back up storage. Right now there is not a whole lot of room in my apartment to have like 6 computers lying around. Plus, when women will think I am extremely nerdy, heh
 
Yeah, it's basically an external drive that just works over your network rather than say USB or something. Basically just a file server, but some include FTP and web servers as well. Pretty neat little devices.

I'll probably get one eventually, but a pretty good sized one(like with 4 drives or something) No real need for one now, but I did want something that could use RAID 1 for a little added protection...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top