NAS Query...

[Kamakazie!]

I am running out of space on my sotrage drive at the moment (quicker than expected) so i need to look in to NAS functionality.

My current setup is 1x 250GB (XP & Ubuntu) and 1x 320GB (DLs, Pics, Music and Video).
I was intending to keep this as is until September time when i would purchase a NAS system (2x1TB or 4x500GB). The 320GB drive would then hang around to go in a Media Centre PC for TV recordings. However, due to filling up my storage drive i have to consider getting a 500GB drive now....

So what i want to know. If i format my 500GB to EXT3 and start filling it up, will i be able to then plug it in to my NAS and have it set up the RAID1/5 with my existing files by copying stuff across to the other drives or will i have to wipe it and temporarily store the stuff elsewhere?

If it would have the case that i have to delete the stuff on the drive, what do people think is the best bet? Buy something like an ICYBox now and just do a 2 disk raid or wait till i can afford a 4 disk solution (i feel this would be better as i could upgrade more incremental by swapping discs as i fill up the space).

Hope that makes sense.
Thanks

 

[Kamakazie!]

Sorta answered my own question. I can get a NAS that will upgrade from a single disk to RAID1 or RAID5 at a later date.

Will just get a single disk now and buy a a second when i get the NAS. Move the files to the NAS disk then add the 1st 500GB to create a raid 1
Nice.

 

[Tomsk]

Sorta answered my own question. I can get a NAS that will upgrade from a single disk to RAID1 or RAID5 at a later date.

Will just get a single disk now and buy a a second when i get the NAS. Move the files to the NAS disk then add the 1st 500GB to create a raid 1
Nice.

Remember to check HD compatibility with your chosen NAS.