NAS vs Server vs DAS for media storage

strumpusplunket

strumpusplunket

strumpusplunket

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I'm preparing to replace my aging HTPC with a NUC running XBMC sometime before Christmas. One dilemma I'm having is over the best way to store my media files.

Currently my HTPC pulls media from my main PC, but that's a pain as I don't want my main PC to be on all the time anymore.

I did consider a NAS just because I thought that was the default option for low-power, always-on storage accessible across a network. However, NASs are horribly expensive for what you get and I wonder if they're actually the best option?

Another option of course would be something like an HP Microserver, which would have the advantage of having a much larger potential storage capacity, greater flexibility and actually being cheaper than most NAS options.

Then I thought... well, if my NUC, being low-power itself, is going to be always on anyway, couldn't I just plug an external HDD in via USB as a directly-attached storage solution instead? I could then add drives as and when needed and I don't need to bother with any expensive server or NAS solutions. It would also take up less space.

I assume it would still be fairly easy to share media across the network this way (to iOS and Android devices mostly, but also a Windows laptop maybe)? Any disadvantages to this option? I don't need it to do anything fancy, just make media files available to other devices on the network. Not too bothered about on-the-fly transcoding or anything. Whilst that would be a nice bonus (and maybe I could do it via the NUC, I don't know), if the device I use to access the files can't play them I'll just use a different one.
 
The idea of using a nuc as a media server to me would be a big mistake. The NUC falls down if you try to stream to more then 1-2 devices. From the reviews I've read and watched on the utube the nuc is best suited for a client/htpc which connects to a nas/server for its content.

I'd suggest building a cheap media server maybe ITX if you want smaller size and throw an I3/I5 Desktop chip in with a few drives ands you're good to go.
 
Hmm... is that right? Even the i3 NUCs?

I'd probably only stream to one device at a time, but possibly that would be whilst playing content directly too. Although wouldn't it be okay if the grunt-work was being done on the playback device, like Diceplayer on Android or VLC on a laptop, with the NUC's external drive just hosting the files?

Sorry, a bit new to network storage, so that might be a daft question...

I'm trying to keep costs down (and power draw as well), since the NUC once fitted with memory and HDD will be over £230. The HP Microservers at around £100 plus drives look decent value, but they're Turion II rather than i3/i5. I could stretch to one of those on top of the NUC. I assume that would do just for storing/streaming media?
 
You don't need large CPU power for a NAS.

Personally, I've got a Synology, they're great, but ££. One big plus is low power usage.
 
Find an old dual core machine on gumtree or something or try friends and relatives for freeebies, bang your drives in and slap freenas on it. Or consider buying pre-owned low-end sandybridge. For example, I got a pentium g620 second hand from another retailer with a full year's warranty for £12. I'm pretty sure you'll find a board and some memory for not much more than that somewhere, grab a cheap case and psu combo from ocuk and same thing.

Will probably work out cheaper than all the other options you're looking at, especially if you have some old parts of your own knocking around.
 
So, what would I be best off with - a NAS or a server?

I still haven't completely ruled out storage directly attached to the NUC, though I'm definitely leaning away from that after reading the above and researching further. It seems the system falls over if it's asked to do 1080p decoding and even any background tasks simultaneously, so that's not so good.

I was really a bit schocked at NAS prices, though, Synology ones especially. I could spend hundred and still only end up with two drive bays.

I'm wondering now if I could re-purpose my current HTPC (Athlon X2 6400, micro-ATX AM2+ board, etc.) into a server relatively cheaply (a slightly smaller case, quieter CPU cooling and HDDs). My main issue with that would be power draw and reservations about leaving it on 24/7. Is there a good way to manage low-power states for servers?
 
What do you consider to be the difference between a NAS and a server?

My NAS is a years-old HP microserver. It's been tediously reliable.
 
In reality it would take years to pay off the power difference between buying new hardware and repurposing old kit.

I did it anyway :D
 
Well, for a NAS I was meaning specifically those systems marketed as dedicated NAS devices. I know you can if you want make your own NAS box, and I guess then the line between NAS and server can become a little blurred?

And yeah, I just totted up the likely annual cost for an estimated 45W power draw from my HTPC being on 24/7, and it's around £35, so hardly going to make a huge difference to household finances - and that's a pretty high estimate for ongoing power draw I think (not counting drives spinning down, sleep states, etc.).

After thinking through all these replies and doing a bit more research, I'm now thinking I'll just get a Silverston Milo case, a low profile quiet CPU cooler like the NH-L12, underclock/undervolt the X2 7750 and hide that away in my hifi stack as my media server, then get an i3 NUC for the front room.
 
Why buy a overpriced NAS when you can do what someone suggested and buy a second hand cheap system and just bang the HDD's in that.

Only thing I would do is use a Define XL (first one) case since that can handle 15+ HDD's for around about £100 or a other case which can handle many HDD's.

Much cheaper then a NAS system since you can keep expanding it with HDD's instead of buying a new NAS when your HDD's fill up because it can only handle 2 or 4 drives.
 
Yeah, I don't think I am going to now. Kind of ruled out a NAS due to price and it not offering enough over cheaper solutions like the one you suggest.

Space is a concern though. That XL case is huge! (Suppose the clue is in the name!)

I've been looking all round the house for a space for a larger server... under the stairs? Nope, cluttered. Study? Already full! Bedroom cupboards? Bursting. Airing cupboard? Ditto...

I need a case I can hide away somewhere, I think, and I like that the Silverstone Milo, though tiny, would slot nicely in between my hifi amp and CD player. It has room for 4 3.5" drives, I think, if you forgo a 5.25" device, and a potential 16-20TB will see me good for years (I only have just over 1.5TB of media files at the moment).
 
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