NAS - Recommend me a NAS

Bryan Kortez · 2 May 2015 at 21:20

I am looking for a way to expand my storage. I currently use a 250GB + 120GB SSD in my PC, with a USB 3.0 2TB external hard drive. This has worked fine so far, as most of my files stored on the external hard drive are replaceable (TV shows, films, music etc..) I am starting to work for myself from home, so I need my work to be backed up in case of hardware failure. I am thinking a 2 bay NAS (2 x 2TBin RAID 1) will be sufficient to get me going.

What NAS boxes would you guys recommend for reliability and functions?

memyselfandi · 2 May 2015 at 21:36

Synology or QNAP with WD Reds.

The other suggestion you are likely to get is a HP Microserver running FreeNAS or the Synology software.

Note that you will need to backup the NAS as well for any important data as RAID is not backup ... it's for availability. It doesn't protect you from deletions or corruptions just from a disk failure.

Bryan Kortez · 2 May 2015 at 22:05

Noted.

I would probably use my 2TB connected as a back up device.

dabber · 3 May 2015 at 00:48

For a 2 bay + 1 for Synology or Qnap for straight file serving.

A RYO is more effort and more expensive compared to a 2 bay NAS. The HP Gen8 is noisy, the lenovo TS140 is supposed to be quieter, but unless you want to use ZFS to guard against bit rot or run lots of services an off the shelf box is is much easier.

memyselfandi · 3 May 2015 at 08:02

I would agree with dabber that rolling your own using a microserver is more effort and using a standard NAS is a lot easier but the former is more flexible and can be more "fun" if you are that way inclined (personally I use QNAP NASes (and would happily consider Synology ones when next I am in the market for one) as I want a turn key solution now having run my own servers in the past and it not being something I really have time for at the moment).

I would disagree with the cost point though. Normally there are cashback deals on the microservers (see the big thread on the forum for details) which usually makes them cheaper than a decent spec NAS from a good manufacturer (you don't want a cheap budget NAS as they tend to be lacking in CPU grunt and tend to be slow)