Recommendations for NAS

[iburnell]

My PC is running out of disk space (500gb). I use it for work and have a lot of software and data and also have ripped my CDs using lossless into iTunes music

Have been thinking about NAS for a while and seen WHF articles from time to time but wonder if anyone would like to recommend models. I would ideally need at least 2x500gb drives which would be setup as Raid 1 mirror so you always have a copy of the data - but over time it would probably need to go up to 1tb.

Given it would run all the time even when the PC is off I would prefer a "quiet" model - do they have fans ?

By storing music then could access it from the various methods like Sonos etc. etc. without having to have the PC on all the time and at the same time store my work data on there

 

[Anonymous]

two good choices would be:

Netgear ReadyNas Duo

Synology DS209

 

[Tonya]

For what it's worth, I personally use the Western Digital "My World" NAS solution.
The neat thing is that when they are connected with my router, I can log onto them with any PC anywhere in the world and upload/download anything to them.
You can also create folders that can only be accessed by people of your choosing which is neato

.
Never had a problem in the year or so they have been on, 24/7.

You can also plug in non-NAS drives into them via the USB port on the back.
They come in one or two terrabyte flavours.

Also heard good things about NetGear as well from some colleagues at work.

 

[iburnell]

Thanks for the replies. I see quite a few people like the Netgear kit and the price seems good. I guess my only reservation is that it is 500gb and the offer of one free 500gb. If you use Raid 1 i.e. Mirror it to ensure you never loose the data then overall space is 500gb. If I overshoot 500gb you would have to throw those drives away and replace with 1Tb drives - which is a waste

 

[kena]

iburnell:Thanks for the replies. I see quite a few people like the Netgear kit and the price seems good. I guess my only reservation is that it is 500gb and the offer of one free 500gb. If you use Raid 1 i.e. Mirror it to ensure you never loose the data then overall space is 500gb. If I overshoot 500gb you would have to throw those drives away and replace with 1Tb drives - which is a waste

Check the I'net you can just buy it diskless , I bought mine (Transparent Communications) with 1 x 1TB & 1X Free 500 only gives me 500gb RAID at present but I can go up to 1TB by only replacing 1 disk leaving the 500GB to be used in a PC if needed.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd been starting to look at various NAS options for my next project of Squeezebox Boom or Sonos S5 + NAS.

I need one that can work with either of those units without having to have my laptop switched on (the NAS itself will only be On when I want music). I had found a Buffalo Linkstation 1TB available for less than £120.00 which looked alright for the purpose, then the more I read up on wireless streaming the less I understand (typical of me I guess). Would some kind soul please point me in the right direction as I would like to avoid any costly mistakes like buying some kit that will not work for me.

2nd, can someone explain (in layman's terms) what DNLA is and how it could affect this little "project" and my forthcoming purchase(s)?

Thank you and forever grateful.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

momo72:
I'd been starting to look at various NAS options for my next project of Squeezebox Boom or Sonos S5 + NAS.

I need one that can work with either of those units without having to have my laptop switched on (the NAS itself will only be On when I want music). I had found a Buffalo Linkstation 1TB available for less than £120.00 which looked alright for the purpose, then the more I read up on wireless streaming the less I understand (typical of me I guess). Would some kind soul please point me in the right direction as I would like to avoid any costly mistakes like buying some kit that will not work for me.

2nd, can someone explain (in layman's terms) what DNLA is and how it could affect this little "project" and my forthcoming purchase(s)?

Thank you and forever grateful.

Wireless streaming is far more simple to understand if you don't try to understand it! For instance, my streaming device (Linksys media center extender) needs a code to marry up to my pc (just like bluetooth mobile messaging). Once the two are linked and handshaking the remote control to the Linksys works as if my pc was connected to the screen and amp directly.

As for DLNA. I believe that this is a fairly new concept and you have to look out for products with the logo for your network to work. PS3's and the Buffalo station you mention are compatible. Latest Philips and Pioneer screens could well be too. Basically think Viera link/hdmi link/Denon link etc, without being connected by wires.

 

[The_Lhc]

iburnell:Thanks for the replies. I see quite a few people like the Netgear kit and the price seems good. I guess my only reservation is that it is 500gb and the offer of one free 500gb. If you use Raid 1 i.e. Mirror it to ensure you never loose the data then overall space is 500gb. If I overshoot 500gb you would have to throw those drives away and replace with 1Tb drives - which is a waste

That's not a limitation of the Netgear, it's the same with any NAS is you use RAID1, as has been said you could buy any empty one, claim the free disk to get you started and then upgrade to TB+ drives as and when you feel like it, or just buy bigger drives to start with.

 

[Anonymous]

knobbynoo:

two good choices would be:

Netgear ReadyNas Duo

Synology DS209

Does anyone here own a Synology NAS?

I've been trying to find some AV/Media Streaming related reviews for their DS409/409+. I'm looking for a 4 bay unit capable of RAID 5 (probably using 4 x 1Tb drives) to stream music to my Yamaha RX-V3900 receiver, and then I'd also be looking to stream video to some sort of media player (or xBox/PS3 even perhaps), although I haven't deceided on the media player yet. I want to be able to play music and/or video without my PC being on.

The Synology DS409 seems to have quite a high throughput, so I would expect video performance to be uninterrupted even if the NAS was doing other things...it's not goign to be just for my AV world.

I'm trying to stay away from 2 disk solutions because I'm pretty sure I'll fill it quickly and only leave myself with the same problem of no capacity in 12 months time.

 

[logemajn]

I have the SynologyDS209+ (800Mhz, 512MB) with 2 X 1.5Tb Seagate Barracuda drives in RAID 1 config.

Running Squeeze Server (4.7) for audio streaming without any issues. I don't stream video yet.

Here you might find some more suggestions:

http://www.wifimedia.eu/catalog/index.php?language=EN&osCsid=ef94c9d824935c69195ab98c2b92b62e

 

[Anonymous]

How easy is it to install Squeeze Server (or whatever client is required) in order to run the SB Boom and the NAS (with the computer turned off)? Is it just a matter of downloading and copying a few files?

 

[logemajn]

momo72:

How easy is it to install Squeeze Server (or whatever client is required) in order to run the SB Boom and the NAS (with the computer turned off)? Is it just a matter of downloading and copying a few files?

I have SB Duet, not sure what the Boom exactly does. For Duet you still need a computer to connect to the NAS to install software. Your NAS will have server management software on it (like DSM on Synology servers). When the software runs you don't need to turn on the PC/Mac to use squeeze centre unless you also want your PC/Mac (also with squeeze server installed) as one of your music libraries. You also need your PC/Mac on for putting ur music files on the NAS and (re)scan your music library.

 

[Anonymous]

logemajn:I have SB Duet, not sure what the Boom exactly does. For Duet you still need a computer to connect to the NAS to install software. Your NAS will have server management software on it (like DSM on Synology servers). When the software runs you don't need to turn on the PC/Mac to use squeeze centre unless you also want your PC/Mac (also with squeeze server installed) as one of your music libraries. You also need your PC/Mac on for putting ur music files on the NAS and (re)scan your music library.

Thanks Logemajn.

The SB Boom is the "boombox" one with the speakers. Amazon are doing it now for only £150. I'm looking at getting a Qnap NAS (basic 1-bay one) first. By the time I know if I'm going Sonos or Squeezebox then I'm hoping to have all of my music available in lossless format on the NAS already.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got a collection of different NAS boxes and I've found the Buffallo kit to be about the best. The Terrastation III is enormously capable, and has great DLNA support; I use it for streaming audio and video to a PS3 and Samsung 7 series DLNA TVs, and also to a Naim Uniti in another room for audio only. Superb bit of kit.

I'd also point out one of the advantages of going this route versus Sonos or particularly Logitech. As you can see, I'm using kit from a whole pile of manufacturers and it all works together, so I don't have to compromise on what features I'm looking for in a system because of single vendor lock-in

 

[The_Lhc]

brucej:I'd also point out one of the advantages of going this route versus Sonos or particularly Logitech. As you can see, I'm using kit from a whole pile of manufacturers and it all works together, so I don't have to compromise on what features I'm looking for in a system because of single vendor lock-in

Sorry your argument doesn't apply to Sonos, it can work with ANY NAS, it requires no special software, you can use whatever vendor you want.