New to NAS..... Help!

[pumaz]

At the moment I have a 1.5TB drive in my main rig (sig) I use to store Music, Movies, Photo's and Files. I share this on my network (4 x PC's, Macbook Pro, PS3 and Xbox 360) by just leaving my main rig on all the time.

What i would like is to be able to put the 1.5TB drive in a NAS or something and be able to share it on my network as simply as possible i.e. without re-partitioning (just stick it in and share as is) I'm not interest in being able to use it as anything else other than a storage/share.

It must be fast enough to stream 1080p across my network. I also have another 1.5TB drive that i use to make a backup on and would like to continue doing this without Raid etc. Just plug in do a backup once a month and remove.

I would like this to be as cheap as possible without sacrificing too much speed. I have lots of Pentium 4 parts I could use to build a NAS based on a 3GHz P4 Northwood but i would rather a a solution like a Qnap box as these are small quiet and use very little power.

I'm really struggling with this, can anyone give me some advice please

Thanks

 

[wolvers]

Hmm, I'm not sure you'd be able to just drop the HDD into a NAS and access it. Well, I don't think I could have done that with my DS211 anyway. Can't you use that backup drive that you have to use as a vehicle to copy the files to the NAS once you have it set up? I would recommend you have a USB drive to backup the contents of the NAS as well (mine auto backs up to USB drives) in case it dies and takes the HDD with it.

As for streaming 1080p content, I do this (my rips include HD audio) with no problems but you'll need a gigabit network.

A P4 server would be faster (unless you bought a top of the range NAS for like 300-400 sheets) but would consume much more power. Possibly 3 or 4 times more as a NAS only uses 25-35w in use and around 10-15w when idle.

 

[pumaz]

Thanks wolvers69

I could use the Backup drive in the NAS then copy the files over from the Storage drive. Then use the storage drive as backup once everything as copied over. Would i be able to use the eSata on for example a TS119+ to make a backup as this would be faster than USB? Also is it worth going for something like a TS119+ over a TS110 for my needs as there's a £100 difference. What would you suggest?

The P4 server is a good option cause i have enough parts to make 2 - 3 complete rigs, I have MATX and ATX boards, I did look for a small cheap MATX case for this purpose but couldn't find anything suitable. Concerning power would I be able to "Wake on Lan" when i need to use it and let it go to sleep when not in use, how much power would it be likely to use when sleeping? btw i have a Seasonic 300w and a Antec 380w PSU to chhose from.

 

[wolvers]

Would i be able to use the eSata on for example a TS119+ to make a backup as this would be faster than USB?

AFAIK that is what it's for. You should be able to check that on the website.

Also is it worth going for something like a TS119+ over a TS110 for my needs as there's a £100 difference. What would you suggest?

In the experience that I have with the DS211j, it is fast enough for what I need and I'm very happy with it..........but, I do wish that I had stretched myself and paid a bit more for one as fast as I could get especially as I intend to keep it for a long time and that it is used as the primary storage for my HTPC. Now that I have a little experience with a NAS I don't think I could be without one. It's become central to the whole network and has made data storage and backups so much easier I feel I would like the fastest one available with options to add more storage space as time goes on.

Only you can decide though on how much you are happy to spend and what will be value for money to you.

The P4 server is a good option cause i have enough parts to make 2 - 3 complete rigs, I have MATX and ATX boards, I did look for a small cheap MATX case for this purpose but couldn't find anything suitable. Concerning power would I be able to "Wake on Lan" when i need to use it and let it go to sleep when not in use, how much power would it be likely to use when sleeping? btw i have a Seasonic 300w and a Antec 380w PSU to chhose from.

I find sleep is very unreliable with PC's in general so would never see it as an option for me. If I went the server PC route I would be thinking along the lines of it running 24/7. A server/NAS IMO has to be as reliable as possible.

A server PC isn't an option for me because of the layout of the house and the network, but from what I understand it provides the fastest speeds. TBH, I have no experience with it so I'm not the best person to give advice on it really.

 

[pumaz]

Just to throw something else in to the mix!

I also have a Acer r3610 Nettop (Win 7, 4GB, Dual Core Atom) i use in the lounge. Is there any reason i can't just connect a Hard Drive to the eSata port and set it to "wake on lan" and use that as a NAS type device?

 

[wolvers]

I really don't know bud. Sounds like a good option though, although I'd be inclined to have it on 24/7 for a server.