Re: Video server / NAS

["clax01011971" <UKHA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The thread running at the moment called 'Re: Budget network attached=20
storage?' is talking about this (or it was at the beginning of the=20
thread).

I mentioned the Netgear SC101(=A375) which is coming out in a couple=20
of days. One thing that some people pointed out to me was even=20
though it's a 'true san' it's not a 'true nas', because client=20
software needs to be installed on all the PC's that you want to=20
connect to it (Thanks to Jim for his SAN/NAS explanation).

Dave

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Adam Stevens" <adam@z...> wrote:
> Hello,
>=20
> My old video server died tonight.  It's basically just an old Dell=20
PC with a bunch of disks connected to it (3 internal IDE, 2 internal=20
SATA, and 4 external IDE via a firewire box).
>=20
> I've been aware that it's been "on it's way out" for a long
time,=20
and have been looking around for a neater solution.  Ideally I'd=20
like to treat myself to a 1Tb or 1.6Tb Terastation=20
(http://tinyurl.com/4wd7h), but I
can't quite bring myself to spend=20
around =A3600 when I've already got over 1Tb of disk storage in my=20
current server.
>=20
> So, as I see it, I've got 3 options:
>=20
> 1) Build/buy a new PC, bung all my old drives in it.
> 2) Buy one of those USB NAS's, which allow USB drives to be=20
connected to the network.
> 3) Look for something like the Terastation, but which comes with=20
no drives, so I can put my own in.
>=20
> I'd rather stay away from building yet another PC.  I know that=20
NAS's are basically just PC's with pre-installed software, but I=20
like the idea of a "stand alone" unit connected to the network. 
If=20
I did build a PC, I'd have to put some flavour of Windows on it (I=20
don't know enough about Linux to trust myself to be able to fix it=20
if something went wrong), and although I haven't looked at Windows=20
Server for NAS, I don't know if it suits my needs (eg, remote=20
control via web interfact etc).
>=20
> I'm not a big fan of USB and/or firewire drives.  I don't know if=20
it's just me, but I've never had a reliable external USB/firewire=20
drive (and I've tried *lots*!).  Even my current box'o'four IDE=20
drives with a firewire interface has given me major headaches at=20
times.  I'd also have to get a load of USB caddies, and they'd each=20
need their own PSU etc. etc.
>=20
> So, basically, I'm looking for something as near as possible to=20
the Terastation, but something which will allow me to use my=20
existing drives, and something which I can get for around the =A3200=20
mark (or less obviously!).  I don't really care if it supports IDE=20
or SATA drives (ideally, something which came in both flavours, so I=20
could get one of each!).  It should also be able to hold at least 4=20
drives internally... Two and a pinch, but only if it's cheap.
>=20
> Noise is also an issue.  I've considered getting one of those=20
cheap Dell servers which pop up occasionally, but although I have=20
great respect for Dell, I know from using them in my office that=20
their servers are quite noisy, and the NAS needs to me in my home=20
office (it doesn't need to be whisper-quite - I've already got a PC=20
on 24/7, but I'd rather not have a hurricane in the office!).
>=20
> Any ideas?! - I'm really hoping someone will say "Ah yes, a=20
diskless Terastation, go to this link"! :-)  I've Googled 'til my=20
figures bleed, but I haven't found one!
>=20
> Thanks,
> A.