NAS for home/business

[kae2]

Hey Guys,

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, wasn't too sure where to put it as it fits a couple of areas, please move if I eeny-meeny-moe'd the wrong one

I want to build a NAS as a secondary backup for my work and as a server for media files, also so I can access limited files externally. I'm a photographer and work from home (alongside my boring day job) and I want to improve my backups. I currently have a Raid 1 data drive in my pc, and use an external backup drive and I'm looking into Amazon S3 offsite backups.

I think I've decided to build my own, as I want flexibility and expandability as my needs grow. I currently have 3tb of data, and that will only grow.

I'm thinking of buliding a system around the Lian Li PC-Q08B USB3.0 Mini-ITX Case as it has space for 6 drives and FREE NAS as this seems to offer a huge range of options, although I have never yet used it.

I found an AMD board with 6 sata ports, but I can't find it again this morning, any suggestions? Also, ideas for chip/memory?
The board must also be bootable from a usb drive.

This is new to me though, so all help/suggestions greatly welcome!

Thanks!

Kae2

(used to be Kae, but screwed up my e-mail change and can't get a mod to help!).

 

[fross]

I really like the Synology NAS boxes. I have a DS210j, though something 4 drives or more would probably suit you better.

It has different levels of user access, different RAID levels, access files remotely, web configuration, etc. Low power, runs Linux, cheap small and quiet.

 

[kae2]

Thanks, but with only two drives, it would only give me a maximum of 2TB in Raid1.

Considering the costs of the larger devices, I think building my own might be the only way forward, unless someone can find a 5/6 bay NAS enclosure for less than £400!

 

[lurkio]

I got myself a qnap 409 over a year ago brilliant NAS
Small , cheap to run and has loads of addon modules ( linux based)

 

[kae2]

Cheers Lurkio, that looks like a good option to me. The more I read about self builds, the more I think a plug & play device is the way forward...

Andy.

 

[iraiguana]

Have a look at thecus units. They come in 1,2,4,5,7 etc. drive bays so spend however much you like and you will get what you need. They come with lots of power and good support.

Personally I went with the self build, but looking back on it I would advise people who are not really keen on learning linux and keeping on top of it to go for the plug & play jobs.

 

[kae2]

Cheers iraiguana,

I just don't have the time to get overly involved in learning a new system, then the in's and out's of making it secure.... too much work on!

Think a plug 'n' play job'll do it... I'll go and check out Thecus.

Andy.