Good NAS storage options? [Archive]

View Full Version : Good NAS storage options?

netmatt

2008-12-11, 18:16

I am not sure if this is the best place for this question, but...

In planning for Christmas rollout of the Home Media Center with all pictures, music and videos for my family to auto-access, can I get some recommendations on what may be some good solutions for NAS for the data?

I run a pretty old desktop at home, and have a few other old boxes, so I guess I could set some of these up with a basic OS and some hard drives, or buy a newer solution, or other...?

Thanks!
Matt

netmatt

2008-12-11, 19:24

Looks like FreeNAS could be a good way to go with some of my older hardware? Anyone currently use this with success when streaming to XBMC?

gabbott

2008-12-11, 19:34

Freenas is what I use with great results. I have 4 different xbmc boxes that stream from it.

pantherman007

2008-12-11, 19:46

Netgear (ReadyNAS) and Thecus make devices that are generally considered the best current pre-built options for home users. Models with capacity ranging from 2 to 6/7 drives. I've had a ReadyNAS NV (4 x 750GB) for years and love it. Overkill in some areas, but for me it was worth have a stable option. I tend to tinker, and worried that if I went with a custom option I'd screw up the array and have to re-rip hundreds of CDs and DVDs...

rwparris2

2008-12-12, 07:06

I have in the past used FreeNas. It worked very well with xbmc (and as a webserver if you're into that)

postbusjj

2008-12-12, 12:04

Have Windows Home Server in the basement, 2 xbox's streaming from it. Liked Freenas too, but switched to WHS as it is really no pain to maintain.

Trebz

2008-12-12, 14:51

I agree on Freenas, perfect for the job but you may need to do some reading before jumping into it, it can be hard to understand in places...

www.freenas.org

I use it in my house, Media, Music, Pictures etc are all stored on my Freenas 'Server'. It's built from a hotch potch of bits and bobs i had lying about the house.

Try it.....

Alabama978

2008-12-12, 20:37

I spent a long time (well 2 months) deliberating over a PC solution or a dedicated NAS box. In the end I bought a Dlink DNS 323 for the following reasons...

Small physical size
Less power consumption than a PC
Can back up to the second drive with a 3rd party script unattended (Fun_plug) even if you forget to have it on when the backup time is due (on next boot it starts backup)

Runs on Linux

OK it's maybe not as cheap as a donor PC but it works elegantly and serves XBMC really well.

I have 2 X 1tb drives in it and it runs pretty cool with adjustable fan speed and quiet:cool:

netmatt

2009-01-19, 16:46

realjobe

2009-01-20, 13:07

I ended up getting a AIRLINK 3.5" NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE ENCLOSURE for like $40 at Fry's. Been running for 2 months, no prob's yet. I got the IDE cheap, since I had some drives, but go with a SATA at this point. IDE is getting hard to come by nowadays. :sniffle:

I have Dlink's DNS-323 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=509) with 2x 1.5TB Seagates (Raid1) and it works perfectly in my LAN with XBMC...

netmatt

2009-01-20, 20:47

Last night finally moved XBMC related data from my home computer (which I was using as the source) to the NAS, which has been running fine for network storage.

Unfortunately, using it with the XBMC aint workin' :oo:

After digging around for a while to see why the transfer rates seem so slow (~2.2Mbps?) I found some reference to RC and LanDrive in the end of the user manual. Seems this is one of the "don't work" from the Wiki: http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=NAS_(Network_Attached_Storage)#NAS_devices_ and_software_that_doesn.27t_work_with_XBMC

ARgh! :stare:

Anyone have any thoughts on this...? I am just starting to dig. The Wiki says, "File-system permissons on the LanDrive/LanDrive/LanServer are not working 100% with XBMC", but the slow speeds are seen whether from XBMC, Laptop or Desktop wired. The movies start playing off the NAS, but then video freezes while audio continues... ???

Would a Fixed IP make a difference here?