WD Reds for a NAS?

Tinders · 19 Dec 2012 at 14:57

Hey folks, just before i click buy, i'd like some advice please.

Im going to set up a NAS that I purchased from the for sale section, its a QNAP 212, now im fairly clueless about all this stuff, but it seems to do what I need It to do, Ie be able to access files of it remotely, backup music and photos and use IP cams on it.

Problem Is, what drives do I plug into it, WD red drives seem have the right marketing blurb in terms of reliability and suitability for NAS systems, i'd be looking at 2 3tb drives, in a raid1 configuration.

I also have a spare Seagate 3tb drive (7200rpm sata3 etc etc) So i could save some money and just get one of those for a £100 or so. But it would be nice to have a good reliable drive with decent perfomance and warranty.

What do OCUK suggest?

bremen1874 · 19 Dec 2012 at 15:19

I'd buy the Reds.

The other drive could be converted into an external drive and used for backups. After-all RAID isn't a replacement for having a backup.

Tinders · 19 Dec 2012 at 15:29

So how would this be. 2 reds in raid 0. With smaller usb to back up the vital stuff. That way ican buy 2 2tb instead of the 3 tbs

Sasahara · 19 Dec 2012 at 15:41

No real benefit in raid 0 on a home nas unless you really need a 4tb single partition.
All you doing is doubling the risk of failer.

Tinders · 19 Dec 2012 at 15:53

Raid 1 it is then. Pricer per mb isnt so different between the 2 tb and 3tb. I dont need 3tb at the moment. So could get the 3tbs at a later date when and if the prices drop.

welshdragon · 19 Dec 2012 at 22:01

I have two reds in raid 1 on my nas. Previously had two greens. Very fast and quiet drives. Worth it I would say.

Vampire · 3 Jan 2013 at 13:24

I have 2 1TB Greens in my QNAP 209 Pro 2, though looking at the QNAP forum yesterday QNAP specifically say not to use Greens or Blacks in their NAS enclosures. Mine have been fine for the last 2 years...

I've just ordered 2x 3TB Reds to replace the Greens so, will have to see if there's much difference.

Just wondering though. Is it worth trying to get the drives setup up as seperate drives use one as a main and the other as a backup of the main? Or better just to have the QNAP box set them up as RAID 1 (which is how the 2x 1TB are now)?

With 2 drives in RAID 1, if the enclosure dies (rather than one of the drives), can you just put one of the drives into a caddy etc to recover the data - or is it more complicated?

Touch wood I've not had any drive or enclosure failures yet, but the enclosure is 3 years old now...

Tinders · 3 Jan 2013 at 13:31

Qnap drives cant be read in a pc from what I know.they use ext format.

Vampire · 3 Jan 2013 at 13:42

Tinders said:
Qnap drives cant be read in a pc from what I know.they use ext format.

Bah, so I'd have to buy another QNAP enclosure and build the drives into it to get the data off...

Hmmm, might be time to look for another option...

welshdragon · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:47

I'm pretty sure the Synology uses ext4 as a file system that can be read from an os using an appropriate piece of software such as ext2read which can now read ext4. SO there is a way to do it in an emergency