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Storage for a OSX Server configuration

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awaldraff

New Around Here
Have been using Buffalo NAS since the first Linkstation came out.

I recently embarked in the project of setting up a home server using Mountain Lion server. So far I am very happy with the results, but I am starting to run out of storage, and I am not sure which way to go from here..

Main storage need are backups and media. I have 5 accounts and four computers (2 laptops, an iMac and the Mac Mini server). We mostly save all data on the server, laptops and iMac function as thin clients. I have setup a mobile account in a Macbook Air, mostly b/c my employer does not have Wi-FI (I know). Largest account is about 20 gigs.

Our media collection is about 800 gigs and stored on an old Terastation, setup with RAID 10 under 4 1TB disks. I backup it on a removable 1Tb disk which I rotate weekly at my parents home.

I am open to a NAS, but in my ideal world, logging in to shares should be authenticated against the server, and not have its own security settings. I also thought about thunderbolt DAS (a Drobo 5D), which can be authenticated against the server, but I believe it might be overkill. It certainly is expensive.

I am hoping to spend up to 600 to 700. I am thinking of a solution that gives me some 5 years life (about the same I've got from the terastation) and have at least 4Tb initially with an option to expand later if needed..

Are there any options I am overlooking? Performance is not my main priority, but a combination of capacity and performance would be great.

Heaviest load is when i get the two Apple TVs in the house to stream at the same time. It happens at least twice a week. I also access files remotely at least once a day.. A god thing in my setup is that Time machine backups happen remotely!

would love to hear your ideas!
 
If you're apple-centric, stay in that world. Get some mini-MAC with TIme Machine or some such. If you want to pay apple's giant margins.

Else get a small 2 drive NAS from Synology or QNAP. These are < $200 w/o drives. Shop for drive prices on ebay - prices have come down a lot lately. You can run RAID1 mirroring but I recommend and use two volumes, non-RAID- two file systems for protection from corruption and from drive failure.
And a USB3 or eSATA drive (big) for backup of only irreplaceable files.
 
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