Best 2 drive NAS


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(Not sure if this belongs in the Network Section and no, this isn not for me)

Well, title is pretty simple :laugh: Im looking for the best 2 drive NAS. RAID1. SMTP would be nice in case of the drives fail.

Right now, its the best I can give you: Simple and a low cost :)

I apologize before hand if more requirements come forward but I don't think I need anything else.

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What is it going to be used for? Document storage? Streaming media? Backup?

What do you consider low cost?

 

Why is RAID1 a specific requirement?  What are you trying to protect against?

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What is it going to be used for? Document storage? Streaming media? Backup?

Running/storing a database on.

 

What do you consider low cost?

Well, in this scenario, I think something you can buy in bulk. I understand that your question is very variable though...

 

Why is RAID1 a specific requirement?  What are you trying to protect against?

RAID1 is mirroring if Im not mistaken so if a drive dies, it the system should be kept running. Reason why I stated that SMTP could be nice as it is a simple way to notify that a drive has failed.
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Running/storing a database on.

 

Well, in this scenario, I think something you can buy in bulk. I understand that your question is very variable though...

 

RAID1 is mirroring if Im not mistaken so if a drive dies, it the system should be kept running. Reason why I stated that SMTP could be nice as it is a simple way to notify that a drive has failed.

 

Do you want the NAS to run the database engine or just store the database files on? What database engine is it? If it is just to store files, what operating system are you using? If it is the latter (i.e. just store files), would iSCSI not be a requirement? 

 

The answer on cost is very vague.  You may be able to buy $1M NAS in bulk.  You need to be clearer.

 

You know how I feel about NAS appliances (they aren't worth the money), but if you are looking for a recommendation then the Synology DS214 (?216) and Thecus N2800 (?273) seem like fairly safe bets.

 

There is also a QNAP model which sounds very good (TS-269 Pro) but comes in at almost double the price.

 

Just as a point of comparison the HP Proliant Microserver N54L comes in at about ?225 which gives you a 4 bay machine which could be running FreeNAS or a similar operating system.

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Do you want the NAS to run the database engine or just store the database files on?

Im debating on that personally; Initially, it just just store the database files on BUT running the database engine should be a good option.

Problem is that most NAS dont allow upgrading or installing database engines. Example, I was running MySQL 5.5 on a PC and it didnt support millisecond timestamps. I had to upgrade it to 5.6 which did perfectly. Some NASs dont support this so thats why we cant rely on the engine being ran on the NAS...

 

What database engine is it? If it is just to store files, what operating system are you using? If it is the latter (i.e. just store files), would iSCSI not be a requirement?

Unknown. I would most likely do MySQL server or SQL Compact.

Well, these can be shared via your standard SMB shares and network drives right? Thats why Im thinking of a NAS.

 

The answer on cost is very vague.  You may be able to buy $1M NAS in bulk.  You need to be clearer.

Sadly, I cant give you a budget. There is, for example, a Synology DS214+ at ?299.60 which seems a bit bulky to buy more than one.

Just in case: No, buying a 8 disk or 12 or etc disk is not a option in this scenario nor is a NUC or anything like that.

 

You know how I feel about NAS appliances (they aren't worth the money), but if you are looking for a recommendation then the Synology DS214 (?216) and Thecus N2800 (?273) seem like fairly safe bets.

That Synology to me seems overpriced to buy more than one. If there is no option, then there is no option but...

 

Just as a point of comparison the HP Proliant Microserver N54L comes in at about ?225 which gives you a 4 bay machine which could be running FreeNAS or a similar operating system.

This isnt for me :)
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http://manuals.lacie.com/en/manuals/2big-5big-nas/raid2big/start

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5838/lacies-2big-nas-review

 

 

This Lacie is the one we use at my paint shop. However, we do not "run" anything from it. Just offsite backup. But it is RAID 1 capable. I think we paid $400.00 back in Dec 2013.

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Synology if you want a reliable pre-built system, may cost a little more than other makes but its well worth it.

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There is also a QNAP model which sounds very good (TS-269 Pro) but comes in at almost double the price.

 

 

You don't have to pick the most expensive dual bay QNAP model. There are a lot of others with 2 bays, ranging from 109? to 460?, depending on your needs.

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I love Synology NAS's. They have great build quality, superior support, and great software called DSM. They also have a wide variety of packages available like mySQL and more. I have the 5 bay DS1511+ and an expansion 5 bay box for 30TB of data for all my movies and TV shows. In this 5 bay version you can put in 2 disks and just add as you go. If you'll only ever need 2 disks, WD has a box with 2 drives in it. I have it for my time machine backup on my iMac. It's no substitute for a NAS, but you can connect it to a computer for some decent storage.

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Im debating on that personally; Initially, it just just store the database files on BUT running the database engine should be a good option.

Problem is that most NAS dont allow upgrading or installing database engines. Example, I was running MySQL 5.5 on a PC and it didnt support millisecond timestamps. I had to upgrade it to 5.6 which did perfectly. Some NASs dont support this so thats why we cant rely on the engine being ran on the NAS...

 

Unknown. I would most likely do MySQL server or SQL Compact.

Well, these can be shared via your standard SMB shares and network drives right? Thats why Im thinking of a NAS.

 

Sadly, I cant give you a budget. There is, for example, a Synology DS214+ at ?299.60 which seems a bit bulky to buy more than one.

Just in case: No, buying a 8 disk or 12 or etc disk is not a option in this scenario nor is a NUC or anything like that.

 

That Synology to me seems overpriced to buy more than one. If there is no option, then there is no option but...

 

This isnt for me :)

 

Most NAS worth their weight can run MySQL - generally support is good but not the same as running it on a computer.  I have a 7 year old QNAP NAS which runs MySQL 5.0.

 

I would veer towards connecting to the disk via iSCSI rather than CIFS/Samba network shares because of the performance difference.

 

You clearly do have a budget in mind as you know what is too expensive!

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Most NAS worth their weight can run MySQL - generally support is good but not the same as running it on a computer.  I have a 7 year old QNAP NAS which runs MySQL 5.0.

Thought of a obvious but today; MySQL cant be updated!

Its a shame...I need 5.6 and most come with 5.1 or 5.5 at best.

There goes running the DB engine on the NAS.

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If you are running a database on it, get something with a good server-grade NIC and ensure you buy drives from either 2 seperate resellers or buy 2 different drives from the same reseller. You don't to get 2 from the same batch and wear them both out at the same time. I'd also sugest getting something with a good amount of RAM that you could cache the DB to, and make database writes less frequently (at power down, after X lines/MB, etc)

 

FWIW I'd recommend a system with a server-grade NIC over a NAS device. a $600 Mac Mini can take 2x2.5" drives (ebay 2nd drive mac mini cable/mount) and is a powerhouse for its size and power consumption. You can run OSX, Ubuntu, FreeBSD and everything inbetween. Probably overkill, but would make a small quiet power friendly super quick server.

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If you are running a database on it, get something with a good server-grade NIC and ensure you buy drives from either 2 seperate resellers or buy 2 different drives from the same reseller. You don't to get 2 from the same batch and wear them both out at the same time. I'd also sugest getting something with a good amount of RAM that you could cache the DB to, and make database writes less frequently (at power down, after X lines/MB, etc)

 

FWIW I'd recommend a system with a server-grade NIC over a NAS device. a $600 Mac Mini can take 2x2.5" drives (ebay 2nd drive mac mini cable/mount) and is a powerhouse for its size and power consumption. You can run OSX, Ubuntu, FreeBSD and everything inbetween. Probably overkill, but would make a small quiet power friendly super quick server.

Yeah, this is not the orientation Im looking for, sorry.
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+100 for Synology. Anything else is fail.

Qnap is very good product as well. I haven't used Synology but many people saying that is good but I personally use Qnap and it is good as well.

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I have been using various Qnap models for many years, never had any issue with it. Firmware upgrades always worked fine, I can copy large files and stream full HD movies at the same time. Performance wise they are great, at least for the use I give it. You also have tons of apps you can set up and use via the QPKG. They also have a wide variety of models with different performance, depending on your needs.

 

So, QNAP  (Y)

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A vote from me for a Synology DS214 as well.  Although you will need to factor in the cost of the additional drives, I loaded mine with 2x WD 3TB RED and it flies along.  Looks like DSM 5.0 comes with MySQL 5.5, not sure if you can upgrade it to 5.6.  (https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/faq/310)

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