Building a NAS

[imported_browsing]

I've got about 1 terabyte of important data I'd like to back up and about 1.5 terabytes of video etc that I'd like to share. I keep looking at NAS / backup solutions but I'm worried about RAID and I already have a few older computers laying around as I mostly use my new(ish) ASUS laptop as a desktop replacement now.

I have two computers that have p5w-dh deluxes with e6600s in them and an older P4. I have an unused version of Windows Vista-- can I make this work?

I've got two terabyte hard drives already I'm using as external and a few smaller drives but I'd be fine buying newer drives it would be better to have uniform drives. Is there a guide or does anyone have experience in building a home NAS that they could lend? I don't mind using linux or something if it will be reliable and compatible with my mostly Windows 7 home network and my slingcatcher. I'm really lost as to where to begin.

 

[pjkenned]

I'd suggest the E6600's.

For OSes easy mode would be to use Vista, setup network shares and just map network folders.

If you could trade Vista for Windows Home Server somehow, that would be a MUCH easier/ better solution. The WHS install is pretty much insert optical disc and install like you would Windows XP (i.e. huge hardware compatability list and simple clicking on next/OK for a few minutes). Once WHS is installed, it has a great windows client backup program, integration with media center and etc.

A bit more difficult would be installing/configuring either FreeNAS (FreeBSD based), OpenFiler (Linux based), or EON ZFS Storage (OpenSolaris based) which are all really good free NAS operating systems with good software raid. All of these install from various media quickly, but take slightly more knowledge to setup.