Full Windows AD compatible NAS using "standard" HDs

stoofa · 27 May 2011 at 16:11

Does such a thing exist?
We are looking for a NAS that will take around 10 HD's, hopefully 2TB.
When I say "standard" disks, I don't mind if the recommended or supported disks are "enterprise" class.
What I mean is that the disks are "off the shelf, £125 2TB drives" and not custom firmware, silly money each only one supplier type things.

Before you jump in with the likes of Synology there is another requirement.

The device needs to be fully Active Directory compatible.

So people will be accessing it using their domain username & password.
The fact they have already been authenticated by a DC means they shouldn't have to log onto the NAS.
For example if I copy some files from a different Windows server to the NAS it should retain the access rights - not revert to default access permissions (Synology devices).

We have found solutions that require proprietry drives but they are just so expensive.
500GB drives identical to standard disks with the exception of custom firmware and a ten fold increase in price!

DIABLO · 27 May 2011 at 17:39

If you want 10 drives i'd be thinking of building a server.

cheechm · 27 May 2011 at 18:03

Think that QNAP might fill the criteria except for amount of drives.

paradigm · 27 May 2011 at 18:08

Synology* box...

But pass it through to a Windows Server as iSCSI and share it from there.

Bingo bango, permissions problem solved.

* Or anything that can pass through iSCSI to a host

Ev0 · 27 May 2011 at 18:44

As above is a good option, or we've used some Thecus devices before that have been pretty good.

GaryH-21 · 27 May 2011 at 18:47

Get a server and stick "Openfiler" on it :cool:

madman045 · 27 May 2011 at 19:37

As already said, QNAP can do this and the other alternative is iSCSI, which is what we have done is the past using the ReadyNas Pro systems.

However, typically most NAS products are 8 bay, except the Netgear RN 4200

http://www.netgear.co.uk/business/products/storage/readyNAS-4200/default.aspx

I would certainly look to speak to them about your requirements

Then look to use these, as they are on the supported list

RE4 WD2003FYYS

paradigm · 27 May 2011 at 19:49

GaryH-21 said:
Get a server and stick "Openfiler" on it

Definately use FreeNAS rather than openfiler, as it will at least allow Persistant Reservations (needed for clustering services). Openfiler, whilst good on the surface, is flawed.

GaryH-21 · 28 May 2011 at 01:49

paradigm said:
Definately use FreeNAS rather than openfiler, as it will at least allow Persistant Reservations (needed for clustering services). Openfiler, whilst good on the surface, is flawed.

Fair enough! I went to try FreeNAS as an alternative at work, but was told to just stick with OpenFiler as we already had documentation to set it up with DRBD in master/backup set up - which is a damn good feature!
Seemed pretty good though, and connected to our domain no problems

Fr0dders · 28 May 2011 at 06:22

Beyond about 8 devices most manufacturers don't bother.

This is the closest you can get i think :

http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=109

and

http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=180

For what its worth i can't recommend qnap enough. Their support is excellent, both in terms of frequency and quality of updates, and of quality support when things go wrong.