Recommend a NAS

[cKy]

^ that would tell me it is a issue with the WDTV. Do you use any custom firmware on the WD at all? power cycle it? Clear the network information and readd it to the WD?

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by cKy

^ that would tell me it is a issue with the WDTV. Do you use any custom firmware on the WD at all? power cycle it? Clear the network information and readd it to the WD?

I thought so too. However, if I stream a file from my desktop to my WDTV using a Network Share, it works fine.

If I put the same file on my DNS-323, and attempt to stream to WDTV using Network Share it is choppy.

I also have a Blu-Ray player that streams the same way (Network Share). It acts the same way as the WDTV.

What you are saying makes sense, but I use the stock firmware on WDTV, power cycle. Even updated the firmware, and no luck.

So, I have no clue, and I wanted a new NAS anyways. So this is kind of my poor excuse to get one.

[J Diddy]

Ok I am officially out of space (2TB) and now looking for a NAS (6TB or more). My HTPC was converted to a file server and I replaced the media functionality with a Boxee. I am thinking of converting my HTPC to my everyday desktop computer and setting up a NAS for file storage.

I am interested to hear more comments/feedback from Qnap and Synology users. Or any other recommendations.

Do these NAS devices work with online backup services like Carbonite?
If I do an online backup service I don't need to bother with a mirrored raid in my NAS?

[photon]

Happy with my Synology 411j, though I'd probably have preferred the faster one, sometimes disk transfers can be slow on the low end ones. They update their firmware a lot so always new/updated features coming out.

I use mine to backup to Amazon S3, not sure if it works with other online backup services.

I do both mirroring and offline backup (sclitheroe will be around shortly to tell you that mirroring isn't a backup ) mirroring to save time from losing a drive, mirroring won't protect against filesystem corruption or against deleting/overwriting a file.

[OldDutch]

I bought this one:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=64221&...stems%20Inc%2E

Love it, get about 60-80 m/sec on hardwire, and 15 m/sec 5g wireless.

Robust firmware too. However, you can only backup to Elephant Drive, Amazon S3, and one other (con't remember?), not carbonite.

I ended up using Elephant Drive. Amazon S3 wouldn't quite work for me.

Anyways, I would buy that box again, that is for sure.

[J Diddy]

Ok I have done my research and i think I am going to go with an HP N40L over the Synology and Qnap NAS devices. is anyone currently using a HP N40L and can share their experience?

Thanks.

[photon]

That's not a NAS, that's a real server!

What OS are you going to put on it?

EDIT: What made you choose that over the others?

[J Diddy]

I'm just planning to put WHS 2011 on it. Seems more robust than the Qnap and Synology interfaces.

[photon]

Yeah I think WHS2011 supports Time Machine as well now, when I got my Synology I don't know if the WHS at the time did.

[J Diddy]

Does anyone know where I can pickup the HP N40L in Calgary? Or do I need to order it online and get it shipped?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by photon

Happy with my Synology 411j, though I'd probably have preferred the faster one, sometimes disk transfers can be slow on the low end ones. They update their firmware a lot so always new/updated features coming out.

I use mine to backup to Amazon S3, not sure if it works with other online backup services.

I do both mirroring and offline backup (sclitheroe will be around shortly to tell you that mirroring isn't a backup ) mirroring to save time from losing a drive, mirroring won't protect against filesystem corruption or against deleting/overwriting a file.

Lol my work here is done

[J Diddy]

Ok computer nerds...I need your thoughts. I have purchased the N40L to be my NAS/home server and to replace my existing HTPC. I was going to make my HTPC a desktop but I decided to buy all new Intel i5 components...so i still have my HTPC.

I am now thinking this might have been a mistake as the N40L plus an Icy Dock MB971SP-B plus 16GB of RAM plus a RocketRaid controller has cost me around $800. I am not including the cost of the drives as I was going to buy them anyway.

I am now thinking I could probably upgrade my existing HTPC with new intel i3 ivy bridge parts for a lot less than $800. My Silverstone LC17 case can hold 8 drives....9 if I remove the front USB.

So I have a few options:

1. Ditch my existing HTPC and stick with the N40L

2. Return the N40L and upgrade my existing HTPC to be my NAS/home server

3. Keep both...make the N40L a dedicated NAS and the HTPC the home server.

4. Stop being such a pack rat and just delete all the BS on my existing HTPC to free up space.

Thoughts? Recommendations? I can't think for myself...and when I do I get sleepy.

[BloodFetish]

I recommend you sell me the N40L for $100.

I'll even pick up the shipping costs!

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Ok computer nerds...I need your thoughts. I have purchased the N40L to be my NAS/home server and to replace my existing HTPC. I was going to make my HTPC a desktop but I decided to buy all new Intel i5 components...so i still have my HTPC.

I am now thinking this might have been a mistake as the N40L plus an Icy Dock MB971SP-B plus 16GB of RAM plus a RocketRaid controller has cost me around $800. I am not including the cost of the drives as I was going to buy them anyway.

I am now thinking I could probably upgrade my existing HTPC with new intel i3 ivy bridge parts for a lot less than $800. My Silverstone LC17 case can hold 8 drives....9 if I remove the front USB.

So I have a few options:

1. Ditch my existing HTPC and stick with the N40L

2. Return the N40L and upgrade my existing HTPC to be my NAS/home server

3. Keep both...make the N40L a dedicated NAS and the HTPC the home server.

4. Stop being such a pack rat and just delete all the BS on my existing HTPC to free up space.

Thoughts? Recommendations? I can't think for myself...and when I do I get sleepy.

I am not sure what your requirements are for a HTPC. You said a while back you wanted something more robust than a pre-packaged NAS (ie: QNAP). However, what exactly does that mean?

Is it just for downloading/viewing movies? WHat more do you require/like t have from a new NAS? I think if you give us an idea of your average tasks you use it for, folks can advise.

I can say, if you just need it to download movies, and watch them, and only have one client accessing the drive at any given time, you can save a bunch. There are some sweet 4 bay NAS out there for half the price, or as you said you can upgrade.

Just let me know, and I'll throw in my 2 cents.

EDIT: Also if you haven't bought the HD yet, check out the WD Red drives. They have them at MemEx. Supposed to be designed for NAS devices:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...as,3248-9.html