NAS

rctneil

rctneil

rctneil

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Joined
31 Jan 2007
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1,861
Hey guys,

As I have recently got a new DVR for my PC which can play media from other PC's or network storage and I got a new MacBook Pro which I also want to access my media from, I would like to start to look into NAS.

Any reccommendations?

I want it to store all my Music, Videos and Photos at the minimum.

I have about 40 Gb of photos, 25 Gb Music and 50-60 Gb of Video.

Also, what would the best way of backing all this data up be?
 
The Synology range is a good bet, I have 2 one primary one off site backup. It comes with backup software so you can schedule regular backups to external devices. I only use the synology to synology feature.
 
I do have spare components to build a machine to be a NAS, If I built upa spare machine and installed a couple of 1TB drives in it, what software or OS do I use?

Few others questions:

1. Once my data is on it, can I block access to it from other people?

2.) Can I allow everyone else read only access to one particular folder?

Neil
 
There are quite a few choices for OS, could go with a vanilla OS like Windows or some Linux distro, or a more specialist build like FreeNAS or UnRaid.

I've used FreeNAS in the past and it's a nice system but I currently use UnRaid.

I know you definately can block access/restrict to read only with UnRaid and i'm 99.9% certain you can with FreeNAS, shouldn't really be a problem with most OS to be honest
 
Other than Synology I'd say also take a look at Qnap or the Cisco small business range (rebadged Qnap).

Like Synology Qnap are normally considered to perform well and I know that you can configure access to shares on a read/write, read-only, no-access basis, per user having upgraded and reconfigured mine earlier this weekend.
 
I'd say it would be a pretty poor device that didn't allow you to configure shares.

For example, I have the shares mapped as network drives on my main pc so i can add/delete etc but i dont want those same right on a machine that is just used to just watch stuff because of the risk of somebody deleting something
 
There is actually a really good little microserver from hp that is the best bargain at the moment. Its £230 but you get £100 cashback - making it £130.

For this you get a micro server with support for 4 x internal sata drives, running the amd fusion chipset. Much better option than the synology for the money. You can install FREENAS/Linux/UnRaid on a usb drive which plugs directly into the mobo.

Look in the Server section, there is a HUGE thread on it.
 
Ah, now we're talking. I didn't realise they were still doing the rebate.

I have one of those servers, they are amazing especially given the price of them.
 
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