Looking for input/recommendations on a home NAS setup

[RichUK]

I’m looking to implement a NAS solution on my home network to store all my data in a central place which can then be accessed by the laptop, PS3, etc.

Need help on where to start, what to consider, recommendations?

Budget – enough

Initial requirements:

- 1TB storage
- Ensure the data is backed up (safe from the usual risks) in some way (RAID 1, 0+1?)

Thanks in advance.

 

[alyarb]

I like this case, you can get six drives in there and it's small.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-085-_-Product

Are you going to be streaming any high definition media to the PS3? If so, just get the cheapest mATX 775 board with a celeron e3200 or pentium e5200. something faster than an atom.

if you're just storing files and do not care about CPU performance at all, get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...therboard+/+CPU+/+VGA+Sets-_-Intel-_-13121399
passive, dual core, lowest possible power, lots of storage/PCIe connectivity and of course gigabit LAN is a must.

put a cheap mini-pcie SSD in the mini PCIe slot (frees up a SATA port for your RAID) and there's a free PCI slot for another SATA controller when you want more storage.

however i think the mATX wolfdale system is a better and more expandable server.

 

[RichUK]

I like this case, you can get six drives in there and it's small.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-085-_-Product

Are you going to be streaming any high definition media to the PS3? If so, just get the cheapest mATX 775 board with a celeron e3200 or pentium e5200. something faster than an atom.

if you're just storing files and do not care about CPU performance at all, get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tel-_-13121399
passive, dual core, lowest possible power, lots of storage/PCIe connectivity and of course gigabit LAN is a must.

put a cheap mini-pcie SSD in the mini PCIe slot (frees up a SATA port for your RAID) and there's a free PCI slot for another SATA controller when you want more storage.

however i think the mATX wolfdale system is a better and more expandable server.

Thanks for your recommendations. What are your views on dedicated NAS enclosures – better or worse than a dedicated PC (be it mATX, etc.)?

For example: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?&groupid=1657&catid=1659&subid=1239&sortby=priceAsc

EDIT: Yes, I will look to stream HD media to the PS3. I plan on connecting a NAS setup to my router via Gigabit Ethernet. The other devices on the network connect wirelessly.


Thanks.

 

[nsafreak]

Thanks for your recommendations. What are your views on dedicated NAS enclosures – better or worse than a dedicated PC (be it mATX, etc.)?

EDIT: Yes, I will look to stream HD media to the PS3. I plan on connecting a NAS setup to my router via Gigabit Ethernet. The other devices on the network connect wirelessly.


Thanks.

That depends on how you plan to use it. If you have a dedicated PC for a NAS it's possible to have it do other tasks as well if you think you might have a need for it further down the road. A dedicated NAS enclosure though is going to consume a bit less power and be a bit less noisy. Really I've been tempted more than once to bite on the Intel NAS server that frequently goes on sale. Amazon has it for $135 at the moment: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new . This IMO would be the best of both worlds. You could either leave it as is and just use it as a NAS. Or with some minor modifications load it up with Windows Home Server and do more stuff with it.

EDIT Just a quick FYI I would not recommend streaming HD media via wireless. I've managed to do regular video and audio just fine over wireless but even wireless N can have hiccups on occasion. And with the PS3 you don't have the option of using 802.11N, you're stuck with G for wireless. I would recommend running a cable to the PS3 for this duty.

 

[alyarb]

you aren't going to get RAID with a single-drive NAS obviously.. and the 4-bay NAS boxes are more expensive and less flexible than a PC...

 

[RichUK]

That depends on how you plan to use it. If you have a dedicated PC for a NAS it's possible to have it do other tasks as well if you think you might have a need for it further down the road. A dedicated NAS enclosure though is going to consume a bit less power and be a bit less noisy. Really I've been tempted more than once to bite on the Intel NAS server that frequently goes on sale. Amazon has it for $135 at the moment: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new . This IMO would be the best of both worlds. You could either leave it as is and just use it as a NAS. Or with some minor modifications load it up with Windows Home Server and do more stuff with it.

EDIT Just a quick FYI I would not recommend streaming HD media via wireless. I've managed to do regular video and audio just fine over wireless but even wireless N can have hiccups on occasion. And with the PS3 you don't have the option of using 802.11N, you're stuck with G for wireless. I would recommend running a cable to the PS3 for this duty.

Thanks for your input. Good call on the PS3 connectivity. Running a cable to the PS3 won't be an issue since the router is only about 8 metres away in an adjacent room (cable can be fed under the carpets).

Windows Home Server, hmm…

As suggested, perhaps building a mATX PC/NAS would be the way to go.

 

[nsafreak]

you aren't going to get RAID with a single-drive NAS obviously.. and the 4-bay NAS boxes are more expensive and less flexible than a PC...

If you can build a PC that's as capable as this Intel NAS server is for less, please show me where to get the parts . Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-SS4200...6&sr=8-2-fkmr1 . FYI this is the same Intel NAS Server (4 bay unit) that's on sale in the US for $135. I just linked to the UK based Amazon since the op is in the UK. The NAS boxes the op linked to either aren't as capable (the one for 163 pounds has less bays and a less powerful CPU) or cost significantly more.

 

[alyarb]

thats funny, the dimensions make it look like a single drive enclosure.

 

[RichUK]

If you can build a PC that's as capable as this Intel NAS server is for less, please show me where to get the parts . Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-SS4200...6&sr=8-2-fkmr1 . FYI this is the same Intel NAS Server (4 bay unit) that's on sale in the US for $135. I just linked to the UK based Amazon since the op is in the UK. The NAS boxes the op linked to either aren't as capable (the one for 163 pounds has less bays and a less powerful CPU) or cost significantly more.

This NAS server is really quite impressive.

Link to detailed review with loads of pics: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ss4200-e-nas-raid,2076.html

I'm not sure if the review covered it (still reading), but can you install different operating systems on to this Intel NAS server?

 

[alyarb]

you'd have to do it without a video output.

 

[nsafreak]

This NAS server is really quite impressive.

Link to detailed review with loads of pics: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ss4200-e-nas-raid,2076.html

I'm not sure if the review covered it (still reading), but can you install different operating systems on to this Intel NAS server?

It's not in the review but it can be done. Here's the link with details: http://www.wegotserved.com/2008/07/...ttended-windows-home-server-installation-dvd/ .

 

[RichUK]

It's not in the review but it can be done. Here's the link with details: http://www.wegotserved.com/2008/07/...ttended-windows-home-server-installation-dvd/ .

Thanks. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger ... just doing a little more research into WHS.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I built a NAS server with 7 - 1TB hdd's, in a raid 5...put them all in an Antec 300 case...works great.

I used onboard SATA Raid 5.

The only thing I wish I did was grab lower RPM 2TB drives, to save on space, and add more drives in the future.

 

[alyarb]

yeah i'm waiting for the samsung 2tb to come back down to $150. seems to be the only large drive with solid reliability.