How do you use a NAS?

[jeb54321]

My question isn't technical. I'm a software engineer, and I understand the technical details (well most) of physically deploying a NAS.

My problem is I'm having trouble bridging the gap between the glossy presales literature (iTunes server, media server, automated back up, etc., etc.) and the PHILISOPHY of how to do what I want to do.

For example, my son got an iPod, and we're obviously stuck using iTunes now. I've been using MP3s for a long time, but I've never done things the "Apple" way. Now that I have a Thecus 4100 it just makes sense to put my MP3s on the RAID. I understand how to configure the NAS iTunes server so my Tivo can access it, but what I don't understand is how to organize things ON the server so its helpful.

Eventually I could figure out something through trial and error, but I'm interested in how people organized their NAS to get the most use out of it.

I would like to have a place for my wife's pictures, centralize our music not only for two iPods and a cell phone, but for the Tivo connected to my stereo, and perhaps even move document storage there.

Unfortunately, I haven't found a document that outlines strategies for home use (I also find the "magic" behind iTunes to be confusing).

The hype in the reviews sounded great, but there is a step missing between the device documentation, and having a working strategy for where to put information and access it effectively.

Anyone ever seen a blog or something on such a topic?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[nbat58]

I am in the process of setting up my NAS, so it's not working yet, I would say that you organise your files as you would on any computer use folders and name then accordingly.

You can then share these folders via your network and allow/ restrict access to users as you see fit.

Hope this helps.

 

[Haselsmasher]

I think use models can be so different from person to person it's hard to generalize. Although I think I hear what you're saying - maybe there are some best practices or something that people could share.

I have 3 very specfic uses - none of which require complex folder structures, etc.
1. Backup of our home laptop computer. My unit (Coolmax CN-330) can be used as an external hard drive as well as a NAS. So I connect directly to do a full hard drive image backup. Then I do incrementals wirelessly. I'll do that for a few weeks then repeat the process. When I start the cycle new I create a folder such as 20091231. And I keep multiple backups online until I run out of space and then I delete the oldest.
2. Photo archive/access. Although the photo library gets backed up with the personal machine, I replicate the photo library on the NAS so we can get to them from the other computers in the house. I treat the personal laptop as the master, and I use Microsoft's SyncToy to push changes to the master out to the folder structure on the NAS. The personal laptop is not always on and we want constant access to the photos.
3. A general place to put stuff when trying to move them from computer to computer. It saves getting thumb drives out.

Given these use cases, I need more just a big chunk of storage, and how to organize it is almost trivial.

My $.02.

j