Server device versus NAS device

sparkle999

sparkle999

sparkle999

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15 Sep 2007
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22
Here's a question - what do you think the main merits are of building a server for home use versus buying a NAS device?

I know, it depends on your requirements... Personally I am leaning towards building a small server to centralise all the user files in my family, centralise email, photos, sort out backups, stream FLAC to the various squeezeboxes round the house (using slimserver), also ftp. Majority if not all of these functions can be done by NAS. If I ever get the time, would like to tinker with building some apps so a database server could be handy. Also would be nice if family members could remotely log into the server from work to grab their files. Am assuming something running windows server, largely ignorant of linux, wasn't really intending to have a big debate about windows v linux or anything :)

Are there any cool things people are using their server for that a NAS can't do?!

Cheers
sp.
 
sparkle999 said:
Are there any cool things people are using their server for that a NAS can't do?!
Click to expand...

Well I currently have my server running ALL torrents for the house, so that nobody is stealing bandwidth, if someone wants something, they can just drag and drop a file onto the server and it adds it to the que.

I am also running a TeamSpeak server, so that people in the house can easily chat whilst ingame if a game doesn't have VOIP.

I could also transfer my website from an external host over to my server, but I'd rather not do that one.

I can remote access my server locally, but I haven't tried doing it via the web. - Just tried, I haven't opend the ports in my router, so it isn't possible...and I don't really want it possible, so that's ok. :)

Mine runs Windows Server 2003, as being a student, I can get it from Microsoft free via MSDNAA.:)

InvG
 
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well lets see

My synology in standard trim can host my website, feed me files, be an itunes server, an ftp server (main use) and a download station (ie drag files to download on to it) for both normal and torrent files.

If I was to go hacking I could add email server, slimserver, additional web/ftp options, twonkyvision etc (loads on the synology forum)

My server is generally a central depositary for my files and part of a mini renderfarm, its only on when its needed as its a tad more power hungry (300W+ versus 50W :))
 
InvaderGIR said:
Well I currently have my server running ALL torrents for the house, so that nobody is stealing bandwidth, if someone wants something, they can just drag and drop a file onto the server and it adds it to the que.

I am also running a TeamSpeak server, so that people in the house can easily chat whilst ingame if a game doesn't have VOIP.
Click to expand...


Good idea re: torrents (*runs off and adds to list of requirements*)
Teamspeak server -you must have a huuuge house :D (I won't add that to my list - two of our PCs sit side by side, can just imagine conversing with the missus over a mic ;) ) Actually that could have some benefits I could turn the OFF button on the mic...
 
lsg1r said:
well lets see

My synology in standard trim can host my website, feed me files, be an itunes server, an ftp server (main use) and a download station (ie drag files to download on to it) for both normal and torrent files.

If I was to go hacking I could add email server, slimserver, additional web/ftp options, twonkyvision etc (loads on the synology forum)

My server is generally a central depositary for my files and part of a mini renderfarm, its only on when its needed as its a tad more power hungry (300W+ versus 50W :))
Click to expand...

What?!! You have a NAS device *AND* a server!! Awesome, that knocks these petty deliberations for six, just get both :D

Point well made about about power, having just lectured the kids on leaving lights on all round the house it might be a bit hypocritical of me to slap an additional 300W of load into the equation... :) But then I could always point at you, 'cos you'll be drawing 350W :D
 
yep I have both and I actually bought the synology ds106j as an online ftp server/test website server for my business, I also had a couple of spare pata drives after my old rig fried due to a crap psu. The power consumption is better so I leave it on, the server is based on an x2 4200+ which is way overkill especially with the raid card taking any hd processing but its useful when I do 3d rendering :D but the power usage is quite high, especially when I have another computer on most of the day too :rolleyes:

As a sign of the quality of the synology I have the intention of getting a cs407 (4 drive) to act as a media server for movies (when I get round to ripping them) and music, along with computer hd images so that if they go **** up I still have a back up else where :)

I would recommend getting a ups if you intend to use a nas though :)
 
sparkle999 said:
Good idea re: torrents (*runs off and adds to list of requirements*)
Teamspeak server -you must have a huuuge house :D (I won't add that to my list - two of our PCs sit side by side, can just imagine conversing with the missus over a mic ;) ) Actually that could have some benefits I could turn the OFF button on the mic...
Click to expand...

Well I'm at uni, so it's a house of 5 people that play games, so it's handy to chat to each other...plus I could open it to the world and have outsiders use it too if I felt the need. :)

At the moment my 2nd machine is only IDE enabled, so I will be hopefully getting a couple PCI SATA cards, so I can put my two storage drives from my main machine into it, and have it running as a file server/sotrage, along with it's current purposes. :)

InvG
 
I run a server, mainly for file storage for all the PC's in the house & to stream to my Xbox running XBMC. FTP, Exchange, DC, Primary DNS and WINS. I was previously running RRAS, but decided to ditch it over OpenVPN on my Ipcop box. Managed to get a cheap copy of SBS 2003 with 5 CALS through work, and it does the job nicely considering I've got Exchange for all my POP accounts.

Here she is :)
 
Thanks all, it's been really helpful to understand what folk are using their servers/NAS devices for, certainly enough for me to decide that, on balance, a decent NAS device is probably going to be sufficient for my requirements.

BTW Misan, that looks like one BIG server! :D

All the best
Sp.
 
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