Want to build network external HDD

[zinfamous]

Our lab is currently assembling a genome (previously un-assembled species of fruit fly), so we have a lot of data to deal with--about 60GB per read.

We recently put together a Nahalem-powered Linux server and now we need some more storage.
The idea is to put together a ~4-6TB network storage device, preferably in RAID 5, as we need backup.

Can anyone recommend a decent external enclosure that would allow us to hook this up as a separate network device so that we can access from our various lab rooms, and not have to go straight into our Linux server every time we want to work with the data?

sorry if my description is a bit vague; I'm not exactly familiar with what is currently possible with available products. I looked through Newegg, and didn't find what I'm looking for (maybe I don't know what to look for?)

I'm thinking something like this, with network capability.

I'll likely use the WD black drives; again, assuming it's possible to get 4 or 5 TB on RIAD 5 with 1 TB HDD.

 

[yinan]

Any low end NAS will tend to be slow. What I would reccomend in your situation is a low end PC with a decent raid controller, or you can use onboard raid for less performance if cash is a concern. This would also make upgrading easier.

Also, RAID is not backup. It merely provides redundancy. Someone can still delete everything and you would be screwed.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: yinan
Any low end NAS will tend to be slow. What I would reccomend in your situation is a low end PC with a decent raid controller, or you can use onboard raid for less performance if cash is a concern. This would also make upgrading easier.

Also, RAID is not backup. It merely provides redundancy. Someone can still delete everything and you would be screwed.

well, cash isn't much of a concern b/c our PI has some serious funding We definitely want a RAID controller though, and separate PC sounds like a good idea. I should have said redundancy. we're not really worried about someone deleting anything, we'd just like to guard against hardware malfunction (individual HDD)

we'll explore the new PC option....