• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

NAS OS with redundancy across mismatched disks?

T

timswim78

Diamond Member
I'm looking for an OS to use for a NAS box. Preferably, I'll be able to add my old, mismatched hard drives to the pool of storage. The storage will be redundant and will take full advantage of the drives' space. I know that Windows Home Server works like this, and I seem to remember reading about another OS with similar features.

Virtual Larry found what I was looking for:
Check out http://www.lime-technology.com/wordpress/
They have an OS that can using mismatched HD sizes, to create an "un-raid" drive setup. It looks very interesting to me.
Click to expand...

Anyone care to report back on it?
 
Originally posted by: dclive
I wouldn't even bother with anything but WHS. It's that good. SIS all the way.
Click to expand...

No argument here. I was a beta tester for WHS and really, really liked it. However, I like to tinker and am curious about what is out there.

Is anyone aware of the OS that I mentioned in the OP, or am I making things up?

 
WHS is fantastic, really. The only complaint I had was the inability to backup 64-bit installs, which has apparently been remedied, or will be shortly.
 
Originally posted by: Pabster
Well, there's always FreeNAS.
Click to expand...

Does it do what I asked in my OP? Specifically, I am looking for an OS that has the ability to see all added drives as part of a storage pool, as opposed to seeing drives as individual drives. Ideally, the data will be redundant and will be protected against a drive failing. Very similar to how WHS handles storage disks.
 
FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD so I'm not sure, but in Linux you can put individual partitions in a software RAID set so you could do what you want although it wouldn't be as good as what WHS does.
 
Originally posted by: timswim78
Originally posted by: Pabster
Well, there's always FreeNAS.
Click to expand...

Does it do what I asked in my OP? Specifically, I am looking for an OS that has the ability to see all added drives as part of a storage pool, as opposed to seeing drives as individual drives. Ideally, the data will be redundant and will be protected against a drive failing. Very similar to how WHS handles storage disks.
Click to expand...

You might look at Drobo too. Expensive, but it would do exactly what you want. Though they charge $200 now for an adapter to make it a NAS.

I don't believe FreeNAS will do what you are asking; WHS is a unique product, I'm not aware of any free, open-source (or for that matter commercial) product that will do that.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD so I'm not sure, but in Linux you can put individual partitions in a software RAID set so you could do what you want although it wouldn't be as good as what WHS does.
Click to expand...

OK, thanks for the input everyone. I guess that I was just remembering things incorrectly. If I find anything like I described, I'll post it.
 
Yeah there really isn't anything like WHS's drive extender at the same level. It would be cool for more options but I'm pretty excited to get my WHS box up and running.
 
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Check out http://www.lime-technology.com/wordpress/
They have an OS that can using mismatched HD sizes, to create an "un-raid" drive setup. It looks very interesting to me.
Click to expand...

Bingo! That is exactly what I was looking for.

I plan on downloading the free version and trying it on an older computer when I have some free time.

The hardware requirements are a bit high for a home server, 2Ghz and 512MB RAM. Well, the RAM isn't that high, but the CPU is. I'll try it on an Athlon 2100 and report back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top