Ethernet v eSATA for NAS solution

Banzai_Joe

Banzai_Joe

Banzai_Joe

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Hi all,

Say if you wanted to use a central hdd store for your dvd library, so that pc's running vista media center could browse across the network to it to pick and watch a dvd, what would you go for, Ethernet 100/1000mbit or eSATA?
Obviously the ethernet connectivity doesn't require a pc for it to attach to, which is a bonus.
But, if connecting to a pc wasn't an issue, as its always on, would you vote for eSATA connectivity?

your opinions would be appreciated, thanks. :)
 
depends on the quality of the NAS device, a cheap nas (like the qnap) will give pretty awful transfer rates compared to a mid range pc with an e-sata drive attached.

A decent quality nas will give as good or better transfer rates and seperate the NAS and PC, which is likely a good thing.
 
the 2 arent interchangable in a multiple PC environment. You've mentioned pc's plural. If you use esata you cant have more than 1 device connected to it at a time. You'd have to have 1 esata disk per PC.

Personally id go for all in one device (well i would and have :D ) They have built in web / ftp / download / file / print / media servers and are really usefull tools. You can FTP into your file storage from home, stream media files to your PS3, run a silent file / print / web server to host photo galleries on etc..

the list goes on. If you've got a big house and a room to stick a PC in, then you could probably go for an old PC and build a proper NAS. if you're short on space and dont fancy the idea of having a PC running 24/7 then a Qnap NAS would be ideal.
 
MrLOL said:
the list goes on. If you've got a big house and a room to stick a PC in, then you could probably go for an old PC and build a proper NAS. if you're short on space and dont fancy the idea of having a PC running 24/7 then a Qnap NAS would be ideal.
Click to expand...

Can you be more specific please? how do you build a 'proper nas'? If it has an OS other than server os then surely it will limit connections and traffic to it?
Granted there will only ever be 5 max. pc's connecting into it, but i'm curious as to what you mean.
 
use Free NAS, its a linux based OS with stuff built on top to provide the NAS functionality

it's a proper NAS because the possibilities are practically endless. Dual network cards, Dual RAID 5 arrays etc..

Plus being PC based, it will pack way more power than any of these home devices have. Like bigredshark says, they're great if you've got a abundance of space and dont mind the noise. Personally ive got a Qnap type thing. And its what id recommend if its only going to be used for movies and stuff at home.
 
Yeah, been looking at the qnap range. It is basically for holding all our dvd library (complete with menus etc at max resolution). Vista's media centre will browse to the NAS and let you pick out a movie to watch. So it obviously needs to be able to stream movies without stuttering. Its entirely possible that there could be up to 4 pc's connecting to the NAS and watching a dvd at any one time.
You reckon the Qnap could handle this throughput?

edit: am downloading freenas right now. Do i need any linux experience to use it? As i don't have any. I do have a spare pc to try it on though.
 
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