My current storage array - 800GB - is based on IDE drives and a hardware RAID controller. It isn't quick, but it is reliable (though one drive failure is enough, thanks). That's getting full now, and as much as I love the RAID controller for its reliability, getting another load of IDE drives feels a bit like flogging a dead horse.
I won't touch software RAID, even with a very long pole. mdraid is an option thanks to the current array living in a Linux box with plenty of free SATA ports, but I'm not convinced I want to go there either.
Drobo looks like a good bet to me. I've only got Firewire 400 onboard, but that's still faster than USB2, and since the Linux box will be up anyway that may as well do double-duty as a NAS server - eliminating the need for a DroboShare (and therefore avoiding USB2 altogether). Not that it matters anyway as all my network hardware is non-GbE.
So, is Drobo a good option, or should I invest my hard-earned somewhere else?
Also, what drives do I want? Maximum drive size I'll consider is 1TB and as performance isn't even a small factor I don't really give a damn what the RPM or seek time is as long as it's likely to cope with 24/7/365 duty. Cost is certainly a big concern given the cost of the intended enclosure. I'm thinking WD Green Power but there might be options I hadn't considered.
Thanks.
I won't touch software RAID, even with a very long pole. mdraid is an option thanks to the current array living in a Linux box with plenty of free SATA ports, but I'm not convinced I want to go there either.
Drobo looks like a good bet to me. I've only got Firewire 400 onboard, but that's still faster than USB2, and since the Linux box will be up anyway that may as well do double-duty as a NAS server - eliminating the need for a DroboShare (and therefore avoiding USB2 altogether). Not that it matters anyway as all my network hardware is non-GbE.
So, is Drobo a good option, or should I invest my hard-earned somewhere else?
Also, what drives do I want? Maximum drive size I'll consider is 1TB and as performance isn't even a small factor I don't really give a damn what the RPM or seek time is as long as it's likely to cope with 24/7/365 duty. Cost is certainly a big concern given the cost of the intended enclosure. I'm thinking WD Green Power but there might be options I hadn't considered.
Thanks.
