Hi Tim and all from SNB,
First .. congrat’s for this extremely informative site. I had been doing a lot or research to upgrade into a SOHO Network and was very glad I found SNB.com . It has given me a lot to ponder about but am getting there slowly. Am now considering my final NAS selection.
Network background: Have actually just ordered a new N Router after much research and waiting to receive it. It is the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band. It will be used to support some existing equipment (2 x Wifi N laptops + 1 Wifi G Laptop which may be upgraded later + 1 Wifi G All-In-One HP Printer which will remain) and also to manage the expected NAS Device(s) that need to be added into the mix
The NAS’(es) will use 1000 Mbps ethernet connections to the new router.
After much reading, have now narrowed down the NAS candidates to 4 possibilities . However, I feel I need some more expert advice from SNB folks before making a final selection Here is what I have planned to use the NAS(es) for:
• There is 800 GB of valuable home data to be accessible for all the Home users (multiple formats including audio and video’s). The intention is to “share” this data via read to all but restrict the “write” to specific users only for this one. I am thinking I could use an existing 1TB USB HDD to hook into the NAS for scheduled incremental back-up’s of this data for the moment. I presume Back-up’s to USB HDD may be once/day or once/week. Does this make sense? I like the NAS-to-NAS back-up concept but am looking to do that at a future time to delay some costs if I can.
• Am planning to keep 150 GB (total) for NAS data for “2 approved users” only. Each user keeps their data local into a laptop as “primary storage” with the intention to keep a back-up copy into the NAS and make the data shareable to the approved users. I would like to set these back-up to NAS to be scheduled frequently to avoid risk of losses.
• The last remaining user is also using his laptop as the “primary storage” which should also be backed-up to the NAS under his own separate record. The storage capacity is this case can vary from 150 – 500 GB if we account for his external USB HDD used to extend total capacity. This data is not all “vital” if we need to make storage capacity trade-off’s!
• Audio/Video streaming: Am planning to use the NAS Device to stream audio/video for existing laptops via Wifi N (also G but only if feasible) and plan to run Ethernet wires (1000) to incorporate 2 X LCD HiDef TV’s to also access the NAS storage. Have not yet investigated the "boxes" that will be needed for the TV's. This one is not for immediate ...but want to anticipate it.
• Would like to add NAS-to-NAS back-up’s at a later time.
Here are the last few contenders for the NAS selection : Netgear ReadyNAS (NVX serie) , Qnap Turbo NAS (TS-459Pro or TS-239 Pro II) , Synology Disk Station (DS-209+II).
I am looking for advice on what will meet the above needs, be reliable and not require a lot of detailed technical manipulations. Am not shy of using well-done UI’s or digging into technical readings to understand settings, oermissions, configurations …but am not a “network expert” to take-on very complex techie set-up’s !
From what I read so far, it seems that ReadyNAS NVX may be the “easiest” for non-experts but is more expansive and seems less performant (in some aspects) than the other Qnap Pro or Pro II or the Synology DS-209+II.
Are there any features that some offer that really don’t matter in my case? The NAS Charts show a lot of different criteria’s and am getting confused as to which ones are important for my needs!
It seems that I could start with 2 X 2TB Drives in Raid 1 for now (using USB HDD for back-up’s). This suggests a 2-Bay NAS immediately or possibly a 4-Bay NAS (but still using 2 X 2TB drives) in Raid 1 to begin. I would also prefer to use “enterprise-level” drives even if they cost more … but am not clear if these are readily available in 2TB size dependant on the selected NAS.
Finally, am considering this NAS as a longer term investment , so would appreciate to know if any of the remaining contenders are getting a little too close to the end of their life-cycle.
Any help to highlight key differentiators would be great (am not looking for the least expensive but rather value for money).
First .. congrat’s for this extremely informative site. I had been doing a lot or research to upgrade into a SOHO Network and was very glad I found SNB.com . It has given me a lot to ponder about but am getting there slowly. Am now considering my final NAS selection.
Network background: Have actually just ordered a new N Router after much research and waiting to receive it. It is the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band. It will be used to support some existing equipment (2 x Wifi N laptops + 1 Wifi G Laptop which may be upgraded later + 1 Wifi G All-In-One HP Printer which will remain) and also to manage the expected NAS Device(s) that need to be added into the mix
The NAS’(es) will use 1000 Mbps ethernet connections to the new router.After much reading, have now narrowed down the NAS candidates to 4 possibilities . However, I feel I need some more expert advice from SNB folks before making a final selection
Here is what I have planned to use the NAS(es) for: • There is 800 GB of valuable home data to be accessible for all the Home users (multiple formats including audio and video’s). The intention is to “share” this data via read to all but restrict the “write” to specific users only for this one. I am thinking I could use an existing 1TB USB HDD to hook into the NAS for scheduled incremental back-up’s of this data for the moment. I presume Back-up’s to USB HDD may be once/day or once/week. Does this make sense? I like the NAS-to-NAS back-up concept but am looking to do that at a future time to delay some costs if I can.
• Am planning to keep 150 GB (total) for NAS data for “2 approved users” only. Each user keeps their data local into a laptop as “primary storage” with the intention to keep a back-up copy into the NAS and make the data shareable to the approved users. I would like to set these back-up to NAS to be scheduled frequently to avoid risk of losses.
• The last remaining user is also using his laptop as the “primary storage” which should also be backed-up to the NAS under his own separate record. The storage capacity is this case can vary from 150 – 500 GB if we account for his external USB HDD used to extend total capacity. This data is not all “vital” if we need to make storage capacity trade-off’s!
• Audio/Video streaming: Am planning to use the NAS Device to stream audio/video for existing laptops via Wifi N (also G but only if feasible) and plan to run Ethernet wires (1000) to incorporate 2 X LCD HiDef TV’s to also access the NAS storage. Have not yet investigated the "boxes" that will be needed for the TV's. This one is not for immediate ...but want to anticipate it.
• Would like to add NAS-to-NAS back-up’s at a later time.
Here are the last few contenders for the NAS selection : Netgear ReadyNAS (NVX serie) , Qnap Turbo NAS (TS-459Pro or TS-239 Pro II) , Synology Disk Station (DS-209+II).
I am looking for advice on what will meet the above needs, be reliable and not require a lot of detailed technical manipulations. Am not shy of using well-done UI’s or digging into technical readings to understand settings, oermissions, configurations …but am not a “network expert” to take-on very complex techie set-up’s !
From what I read so far, it seems that ReadyNAS NVX may be the “easiest” for non-experts but is more expansive and seems less performant (in some aspects) than the other Qnap Pro or Pro II or the Synology DS-209+II.
Are there any features that some offer that really don’t matter in my case? The NAS Charts show a lot of different criteria’s and am getting confused as to which ones are important for my needs!
It seems that I could start with 2 X 2TB Drives in Raid 1 for now (using USB HDD for back-up’s). This suggests a 2-Bay NAS immediately or possibly a 4-Bay NAS (but still using 2 X 2TB drives) in Raid 1 to begin. I would also prefer to use “enterprise-level” drives even if they cost more … but am not clear if these are readily available in 2TB size dependant on the selected NAS.
Finally, am considering this NAS as a longer term investment , so would appreciate to know if any of the remaining contenders are getting a little too close to the end of their life-cycle.
Any help to highlight key differentiators would be great (am not looking for the least expensive but rather value for money).
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