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05/17/2007 12:54:09 AM · #1 |
I am looking to buy a "storage appliance" I can attach to our home network. My main goal is to enable automatic backup of my and my wife's computers. My secondary goal is to create a shared directory where we can put things we want to show each other (e.g. shared projects, photos for critique, and such). I am looking for total storage in the 2 TB range with RAID 5 hot swappable drives for reliability. I do not want to run a server but would prefer an appliance that just runs w/o administration. We are running on a wired (home run) network using cat 5e (100 mbit)
I am narrowing my search to Iomega (Stor Center Pro, or NAS Server), Buffalo (Tera Station or Tera Station live) and La Cie (Ethernet Disk RAID - NAS Server). But there may be other options I am unaware of.
If anyone has used any of these products, can you tell me your opinion. If anyone has used an alternative, can you let me know about your choice and how it's worked out. I have not found a "consumer reports style comparison." if you are aware of one, I would appreciate a steer to their web site.
I am interested in 1) Cost; 2) Ease of use; 3) Reliability; and 4) Support from vendor/manufacturer.
Thanks so much for your help. |
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05/17/2007 01:23:51 AM · #2 |
I just saw this at one of my friend's house last weekend, and it is truly amazing. It matches the specs you are looking for (2TB/RAID 5), but where it REALLY shines is ease-of-use, and the interface to an ethernet-equipped JVC DVD player (I don't have the model #, but I'll get that tomorrow).
He's ripped all of his DVD's (over 400) to the NAS, and the menuing system interface on the DVD could be used by my mother (that says a lot). ;o)
I don't rave very often about products, but guarantee that I'll be picking one of these up shortly.
Infrant Ready NAS NV+
Warning: they are NOT inexpesive. ~$1600US fully loaded (according to him).
My boss was so impressed that he's already picked his up (complete with the DVD player) and got it running on day one.
roba |
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05/17/2007 05:39:30 AM · #3 |
thecus are supposed to be quite good:
//www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=1&pid=2 |
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05/17/2007 01:51:53 PM · #4 |
Bumping for the day crowd ... do any of you have input?
And thanks to  relent &  roba.
I have heard some not-so-good things about Thecus support. Can anyone comment.
Infrant is made by Netgear, a brand I trust. Anyone familiar with their support? |
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05/17/2007 01:56:17 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Dr.Confuser:
Bumping for the day crowd ... do any of you have input |
A word of caution the Buffalo Terastation HOME are not hot swappable whereas the PRO and above are. The home version you must unscrew a god forsaken number of tiny screws to get the drives out. Not an easy job from what I hear.
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05/17/2007 03:11:36 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Dr.Confuser:
Infrant is made by Netgear, a brand I trust. Anyone familiar with their support? |
It's probably worth pointing out that Infrant were bought out by Netgear fairly recently - I believe their current products predate Netgear's involvement.
Not to say their products are bad, just saying.
splidge
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05/17/2007 03:17:33 PM · #7 |
I have a Linsys NSLU2 connector. It allows me to connect any USB drive to the network. It's a little bit slow but if I'm doing something big where I need a lot of speed I can just unplug the drive and connect it directly to my computer via usb.
If you're feeling really frisky the unit is actually a mini Linux computer which you can unlock and then run a full linux OS on. |
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05/18/2007 02:43:11 PM · #8 |
Thanks all for the input.
Anyone else? |
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