Which NAS/Cloud Solution should I choose?

lumencreative

lumencreative

lumencreative

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Which NAS Solution should I choose?

I am constantly having to RDP to my home computer from work, etc, to access files that I've been working on at home, either that or I have multiple Pen drives or simply just email files to myself and then end up with numerous versions of the same file.

I want to replace my current, frustrating method with a better solution that's more robust and easily accessible so I started off looking at cloud solutions such as Dropbox. I use Macs at home and a mixture of Macs and Windows at work so whichever solution I use needs to work with both Mac and PC.

Since looking at Dropbox, I have also been looking at NAS drives. I particularly like the software of the Synology solutions but also like the look of the Western Digital MyCloud standalone enclosures. I have a static IP address from my ISP so that's not an issue.

I have experimented with OSX Server but it's not really for me. I may maintain it as an email server but as it stands, I don't think I need that kind of system for what I am trying to achieve.

So....my options are as follows:

1) Dropbox 1TB Plan - £79 per year
2) HP N54L Microserver running OwnCloud -£130 (ish)
3) Synology DS414J - £270
4) Western Digital MyCloud Empty 4 bay Enclosure - £277


What would you guys do?
 
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An Office 365 subscription will give you 1TB with OneDrive for around £75 a year. If you use an iPad and Office you'll be able to edit documents as well.
 
MilanoChris said:
An Office 365 subscription will give you 1TB with OneDrive for around £75 a year. If you use an iPad and Office you'll be able to edit documents as well.
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Thanks for your suggestion. I do currently use Office365 Hosted Exchange for one domain I have and when I looked the 'Office 365 Small Business' option also includes 1TB OneDrive at £3.10+vat per month but I've not heard good things about OneDrive (other than it being incredibly cheap).
 
I'm just on Office 365, one of the main reasons is that I require the ability to edit documents on my iPad when on the move. Otherwise I may have looked elsewhere but it's not turned out too bad.

If you are IT savvy, I would advice buying a Microserver over buying a NAS.
 
Right, I have decided against OneDrive/Dropbox/etc. I am looking for a physical box that I can stick on my network and that I can access my files from online. I would also like a VPN feature so that I can map folders to my laptop, etc. I may still go down the Office365/Dropbox route to backup the NAS drive but we'll see.

So....any suggestions?
 
I have gone with a Synology NAS I know they are not the cheapest but I do believe they are very good solutions and the software just works.... but the main reason I did this ( rather than using one of the many older pc's I have ) is I just wanted something physical that could sit in the study and was plug and go....

I only went with a twin drive version and have not used any of the 4 drive versions so don't have any direct feedback for those versions.

this is a link to the one I have just set up.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18616460
 
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anthony566 said:
I have gone with a Synology NAS I know they are not the cheapest but I do believe they are very good solutions and the software just works.... but the main reason I did this ( rather than using one of the many older pc's I have ) is I just wanted something physical that could sit in the study and was plug and go....

I only went with a twin drive version and have not used any of the 4 drive versions so don't have any direct feedback for those versions.

this is a link to the one I have just set up.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18616460
Click to expand...

Thanks for your post. What's the performance like? I'm selling my Core i5 PC (using a Mac Mini now) so hoping to use the cash from that sale to pay for the NAS. I'm not particularly looking for a 4 bay version but the price difference isn't huge and it saves having to upgrade later on :)
 
lumencreative said:
Thanks for your post. What's the performance like? I'm selling my Core i5 PC (using a Mac Mini now) so hoping to use the cash from that sale to pay for the NAS. I'm not particularly looking for a 4 bay version but the price difference isn't huge and it saves having to upgrade later on :)
Click to expand...

From sleeping the response is good it take around 4/5 seconds to wake up and update ( the NAS goes to sleep after a period of inactivity ) but once awake the response is very quick I am seeing folders open and the content being listed as fast as it is from my local drive. music and movies stream very smooth and I have tested this from a Samsung tablet, my mobile and my Humax PVR.
 
I have the DS413 with 4x3TB drives (WD Reds). As above, wake up from sleep is slow, however I have no complaints when going. I get around 60MB/s write speed, but I think that is my network slowing it down as using a PC off the same switch I get the same from speedtests and I'm on Virgin 152Mbit.
 
Thanks to you both. Looks like Synology might be the way to go then (if I decide against the Microserver).

I have read that the Microserver can run the Synology OS but then again, I need something I can rely on and not something I'll have to faff around with for days on end.
 
I have everything connected to Gigabit and when moving data from my pc to the nas I see 110 meg per sec..

I guarantee you within 30 mins max you will have a Synology un boxed plugged in and up and running.

what is your current network setup ? having it connected to gigabit will help
 
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Yeah it is very easy. Can't comment on the microserver as I don't have one, I have a small business Dell server that I use for virtualising. But the Synology is plug and play.
 
Depends where I put the NAS to be honest.

At home, it will sit in the living room connected directly to the router but everything else would be connected wirelessly. If I connect it to the network at the office (which would make more sense as we have a static IP at the office), the network is a gigabit network so will perform much better at the office then presumably still fairly usable via VPN.

Decisions, decisions :)
 
MilanoChris said:
Yeah it is very easy. Can't comment on the microserver as I don't have one, I have a small business Dell server that I use for virtualising. But the Synology is plug and play.
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One thing I did think about was for less than the cost of one Synology 414, I could get 2 x HP Microservers (and have money left over), equip both with 2 x 2TB drives for now and then could use RSync to keep the two servers in sync with each other. This would mean that I would have Local access to the files at either location and still maintain the cloud option...not sure if this is too much 'faffing around' though.
 
anthony566 said:
The HP Micro servers are very good but don't compare the two ... they are very different
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Totally agree, but at the same time, they are two devices I am considering (as well as the WD MYCloud EXT4). The advantage that the Microservers have is that they can be used as computers should that need ever arise, which can't be said for the NAS options, however, the NAS options are the easy option from what I've read :)

Of course, there's nothing to say I can't have a Synology in one location and a HP Microserver in another location that will have dual functionality.
 
lumencreative said:
Totally agree, but at the same time, they are two devices I am considering (as well as the WD MYCloud EXT4). The advantage that the Microservers have is that they can be used as computers should that need ever arise, which can't be said for the NAS options, however, the NAS options are the easy option from what I've read :)

Of course, there's nothing to say I can't have a Synology in one location and a HP Microserver in another location that will have dual functionality.
Click to expand...

I think you have picked up on the real point and that is the Micro Server is a mini PC and therefore is going to give you more flexibility for expansion if that's what you need but if its plug and play with the minimum fuss then the Synology does just that :)
 
I have had a ReadyNas Duo for about 5 years now and it has worked impeccably. It was very easy and quick to setup and other than updating the firmware every now and then, it has just sat in a corner and done the business.

It is also synced/backed up into the Readynas cloud for additional peace of mind.

Given my experience with the above, I would much prefer going for a dedicated NAS device compared to faffing around with a PC based server like the HP even though you lose some flexibility.

I am now starting to run out of space and considering moving to a 4 bay NAS.
My initial inclination is to go for a newer, 4 bay ReadyNas but reading this thread has made me consider alternatives.

What would people recommend for a not too expensive 4 bay NAS out of ReadyNas, Synology, Qnap and Asustor ?
 
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