Need A NAS Solution

[Ultragc]

Hi All,

I was ask by my boss to setup Test/QA environment for my work. Here are the basics:

1. I will be buying an HP Proliant rack mount server (model undecided) with enought 32GB RAM, 2x75GB HD for the OS.
2. I will install Microsoft 2008 Hyper-V to host several virtual server.
3. I want to use an external NAS to hold all my virtual disks. I need something that can attached to the server w/ decent performance.

My question to all is, what should I do as far as the NAS goes? With limited budget, $1500 for the NAS. Should I get a ReadyNAS NVX and using iSCSI and do I need to buy additional iSCSI controller?

I am looking for recommendations/options.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GGW]

Why do you want a NAS instead of direct attached storage?

 

[Ultragc]

Direct attached storage is a bit too expensive. I like NAS is because it offer more flexibilities.

 

[thiggins]

No NAS is going to provide the performance you'll get from direct attached storage. Given that you're going to the trouble of buying a server vs. a NAS to host the virtual servers, I'd go with DAS, not NAS.

If you're going to use a NAS and iSCSI, be sure that the iSCSI features that you desire are supported. You might want to look at QNAP's latest Atom D510-based products.