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NAS just means network attached storage.
Some are just computers running a specialized OS like WHS, unRaid, FreeRaid, etc..
Others (like the one you linked) have their own OS, and are more of a "utility" box like a router than a computer.
Either way, you'll add your own drives...
Whether you want a simple one like the one linked, or a custom built server running a special version of Linux depends on your needs...
Personally, I love unRaid, because of the way you can mix and match drives while still having parity protection (which has really saved my ass a couple of times!) as well as running SABnzbd/couchpotato/sickbeard...
Kodi: Kodi 17.4, with Transparency!
50 TB Unraid Server: Docker Apps: SABnzbd, Sickrage, mariaDB
HTPC: Win10 (cause Steam), i7, GTX 1080
Watching on: Panasonic TC65-PS64 with lowend Sony 5.1 HTIB
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If you want something just for storage, you can either add HDDs to your existing case or you can buy a 3,4,5,etc... bay external case. Then you plug it directly to your computer/server. These are much cheaper then a NAS.
For simple and cheap application, either use a NAS or a server, but not both.
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alex84
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If you deside to go oem built nas i can recommend you to look at Qnap and Synology. Both have top of the line products. Do some reading on smallnetworkbuilders nas section.
Me i have never looked back to my bulding/config time consuming do it yourself days.
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2012-02-23, 21:57
(This post was last modified: 2012-02-23, 22:00 by patseguin.)
Yeah I saw a lot of Synology at Newegg. I kind of knew what NAS was but I didn't understand if it was a computer or what. So most have their own built in OS and I just access settings, shares, etc. through a web browser like I do for a network router? I don't mind spending the money if my data is safe and I don't have to spend weeks setting it up. I spent some time with unRAID and had NO fun. I had to Google a ton and enter CLI comands all over the place. When I finally got done with that it was estimating like 3 days to prep my drives. The first time it froze and I had to start all over. The 2nd time I waited a day and a half and it was at like 33%, so unRAID went on the shelf. I tried FlexRAID and was trying to get a little help and the forums weren't very active and the author was working on a new project, so I dumped that. I am now onto DrivePool which is an EXCELLENT plug in for WHS. Very easy install and adding of drives to the pool. However, files are copying over at about 7-8 MB/s. Plus I got up this morning and the server was unresponsive. That might have been because I started Windows Update, I don't know. So, I am slightly concerned about the stability of my current hardware. This is why I am about to say f*ck it and just order a NAS with enough space to hold my drives. If I get home today and my relatively small number of files haven't copied or if the server is frozen again, it's going in a basement closet and I'm ordering the NAS. I just wanted to make sure I fully understood how they worked.
EDIT: Looks like the Synology ones only have 4 bays, so I can use all of my 5 drives. However, this 4 bay unit's picture to me shows 5 drives in it. Am I missing something?
Server: Synology Diskstation 1511+ with 8x WD Red NAS 3TB drives, DSM 5.2
Main HTPC: Home Built i3, 8GB RAM, Corsair 128GB SSD, nVidia 630GTX, Harmony Home Control, Pioneer VSX-53, Panasonic VT30 65" 3D TV, Windows 10, Isengard
Bedroom HTPC: Zotac-ID 41 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Rii micro keyboard remote, Samsung HW-E550, Sony 32" Google TV, OpenElec 6.0 beta 4
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Are you sure you're using a gigabit router/switch?
I wouldn't give up so easily.
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If you have more money than time, there's always the Drobo...
Kodi: Kodi 17.4, with Transparency!
50 TB Unraid Server: Docker Apps: SABnzbd, Sickrage, mariaDB
HTPC: Win10 (cause Steam), i7, GTX 1080
Watching on: Panasonic TC65-PS64 with lowend Sony 5.1 HTIB
Other devices: rMBP 15", MBA 13", nvidia shield
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What's the "Drobo"? And yes, I am using an Apple Time capsule which is gigabit.
Server: Synology Diskstation 1511+ with 8x WD Red NAS 3TB drives, DSM 5.2
Main HTPC: Home Built i3, 8GB RAM, Corsair 128GB SSD, nVidia 630GTX, Harmony Home Control, Pioneer VSX-53, Panasonic VT30 65" 3D TV, Windows 10, Isengard
Bedroom HTPC: Zotac-ID 41 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Rii micro keyboard remote, Samsung HW-E550, Sony 32" Google TV, OpenElec 6.0 beta 4