NAS Knowhow Needed (See what I did there?)

[Freegrazer]

Hi,

Not sure if this should be here or in the Networking section... please move if necessary.

I want to install a NAS device in my home. I don’t know much about them to be honest. I will be using it as a file server for my movies, tv shows and music. It will serve 2 computers at all times, so I need one that is capable of streaming large size 1080p bluray movie files simultaneously to 2 different computers running XBMC without a drop in transfer speeds or overall performance. (Don't want my damn movies to lag even a tiny bit!)

One of these computers will be the admin controlling the whole setup, and will be sending and receiving files from the NAS. The other PC will only receive files from the NAs and will never send files. I will possibly add 1 or 2 more devices at some point in the future but they will be for minor usage (ie, Playstation, laptop, tablet), my main concern is the performance and speed of serving the 2 main computers.

I have had a look at the range of devices on offer, and I’m wondering why some devices come with RAM and CPU’s installed in them. Perhaps I don’t need one of those type of NAS devices as I will using my PC to control the NAS?

Storage wise, I want to be able to put maybe 4TB(2 x 2TB in RAID configuration) of storage in it initially, but would like the option of expanding that further at some point.

Any and all info/suggestions appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Freegrazer]

Except that if you look at the lower end NASes compared with the higher powered ones you find that they are quite a bit slower on data transfers despite being gigabit connected (compare for instance a Zyxel NAS with a more powerful Synology/QNAP ... hell my dual core atom powered NAS easily outperforms my other NASes on pure data transfers (with the same disks)) ... and as the OP wants to transfer "large size 1080p blu-ray movie files" that may well be an issue, even with only a few simultaneous transfers.

I do agree that the OP needs to consider the end-to-end solution as the network conditions between the NAS and the clients could well give issues.

The network conditions should be decent enough, I cut, crimped and tested the patch cables myself using CAT6 cable that I bought coz it was at a bargain price, although I know I won't be getting CAT6 speeds with them.

But I am concerned about the data transfer speed as you mentioned above. So perhaps a mid to high powered NAS is the way to go to meet my needs.

Speaking of which, what speed drives should I get? I've been using WD caviar greens as local storage in my comp. They're 5,400 rpm I think. Never had any problem with them speed wise as I use SSD for my OS. But would those drives perform just as well in a NAS based on my simultaneous data transfers to 2 different devices? (assuming the network was optimal)

 

[Freegrazer]

Personally I have a Synology DS412+ with 4 x 3Tb in a Raid 10, so I get some performance back over a raid 5, and some resilience over a Raid0. But I do more than just share media with it.

It is really down to how much do you want to spend ?

Great info guys, much appreciated. I'd like a setup very similar to yours eventually, but to start off I'm looking for 2 x 2TB in a Raid1 config with extra slots for further HDD's.

I guess I'd be willing to spend between €200 and €400. Closer to the €400 end I'd like some storage included but not a deal breaker.