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

netmatt · 2009-01-19, 16:46

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.

realjobe · 2009-01-20, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by netmatt

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.

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...

2008-12-11, 18:16	#1
netmatt Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 59	Good NAS storage options? 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

2008-12-12, 07:06	#5
rwparris2 Team-XBMC Python Coder Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,300	I have in the past used FreeNas. It worked very well with xbmc (and as a webserver if you're into that) __________________ Always read the XBMC online-manual, FAQ and search and search the forum before posting. For troubleshooting and bug reporting please read how to submit a proper bug report. If you're interested in writing addons for xbmc, read docs and how-to for plugins and scripts \|\|\| http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-addons/

2008-12-12, 20:37	#8
Alabama978 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6	NAS choice 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

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2008-12-11, 19:24	#2
netmatt Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 59	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?

2008-12-11, 19:34	#3
gabbott Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 195	Freenas is what I use with great results. I have 4 different xbmc boxes that stream from it.

2008-12-11, 19:46	#4
pantherman007 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 79	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...

2008-12-12, 12:04	#6
postbusjj Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Holland Posts: 48	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.

2008-12-12, 14:51	#7
Trebz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 140	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.....

2009-01-19, 16:46	#9
netmatt Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 59	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.

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