NAS Device questions

ajf

ajf

ajf

Soldato
Joined
30 Oct 2006
Posts
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Location
Worcestershire, UK
Looking at getting a NAS Device.
Couple of questions:
Do they use proprietory file formats or are files just stored on standard FAT or NTFS partitions?
I had read that some need a client installed on the PC before you can access them? Is this correct and does it apply to all of them?

I really want one that can just appear as a standard mapped drive in explorer and basic ability to copy files to and from the device.
Security/permissions would be helpful.
Needs to be able to backup to external USB drive though.

Which would be the best option for me? 500Gb capacity.

Andrew
 
My NAS uses EXT format, don't know about others.
No you don't need software, you just search your lan, map the drive and away you go. The Netgear 101 needed drivers, it's classed as a NAS but it isn't a NAS. NAS require no drivers, and is OS independant.

Buffalo Linkstation have 500gb options I think. There are a couple of dual bay units but these are quite expensive, plus the drives on top.

Use a D-Link DNS-323 myself. It has a USB port but it's only a printer server, but I believe you can install Linux onto the 323 and it'll access USB hard drives. But installing Linux could brick it.
 
I have a Synology ds106j (all of the range has the same basic features though).
  • Uses ext3 format, easily read in linux iirc, if you're willing to invalidate warranty you can hack it for alternative formats.
  • Username security permissions can be set on individual folders which work with both ftp and windows/mac network access of folders (ie windows network places)
  • Can backup to either another nas or usb (has 3 ports on mine)
 
Using a Linksys NSLU2 network link, this has linux installed and allows me to connect 2 USB drives to it and use them as a nas (one of them has to be EXT file format and the other can be any FAT or NTFS afaik)

hooked this up to 2x500gb drives and then to my wifi router. instant wireless NAS for accessing files around the house from all the laptops.

planning on upgrading this to get another NSLU2 and get another 2x500gb drives on it. making a total of 2TB network storage!

This has scandisc utilitites, admin accounts, user access, user quota's, formatting options etc. really useful and cheap in comparison to most other options.
 
Thank you. I will have a look at the devices mentioned, especially the Buffalo ones as I already have a USB device of theirs and router and they seem good.

Andrew
 
I have this NAS drive. It uses an XFS file system. It has a Mac file and Windows file server. Very easy to use. There is a 500gig version too.
 
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