Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Having more than one computer in the house is common these days, hence the need for a network-attached storage devices arises (shortly named NAS) – a storage space to be able to access your files from anywhere any time. It’s either that or having to look through a bunch of CDs to find what you want each time. In most cases a NAS system works independently, having most hardware parts of a proper PC, but it usually has a very basic GUI, tends to be more power efficient and has a more discreet operation cycle.
I had recently bought the Thecus N5200PRO, portrayed here:
It’s a rather average solution, well reviewed here. Not to say that I’m not absolutely pleased with it. My only problem is the separation it has between the shared folders and the other data stored in the file system – you can view the shared folders you create in any computer but they have an absolutely distinct operation with the iSCSI or USB partitions you create. But it does have a serious feature set and it’s firmware is a work in progress so I won’t keep against it a few mishaps it may have.
Interestingly though, recently I’ve been stumbling on a number of alternate solutions I could’ve (would’ve?) chosen. The one that’s making me drool is the HP Mediasmart server
with Windows Home Server pre-installed and optimized for media center connectivity (read review).
Maybe a more affordable solution (at this time) is to use an actual PC as a NAS – especially if you have an old computer laying around in the house. If I was going to do that now I would probably go for something like the Drobo.
It requires a geek to become operational (meaning it may not be as plug-n-play as other storage devices) but it also required the mind of a geek to be appreciated. Simple and precise, it’s set to do one thing and it excels on it – to give you heaps of extra storage at high transfer rates. No bells and whistles here, just pure efficiency.
For whoever wants a “How to” guide there is a walkthrough for setting up a 2.5 TB hot-swap array on any PC.
Remaining on the subject, you can find some peculiar solutions (that said in a good way) by Addonics. It makes you wonder “How come no one else thought of that before?”. For example, have a look at the “2.5″ Disk Array 4SA“:
An excerpt from their website: “Designed to fit inside the space of a standard 5.25″ drive bay, the new Addonics 2.5″ Disk Array 4SA is a unique drive cage solution that can accommodate up to 4 2.5″ SAS or SATA hard drives . Thus the 2.5″ Disk Array 4SA can be easily deployed in many computing equipment and as many as 16 2.5″ SATA or SAS hard drive”.
I for one would like to buy one of their other products that seems practical and kinda fancy – the Jupiter Hard Drive kit. Other accessories that might be handy (just to mention a few) are: the Max4 3.5” SATA HDD Rack, a Portable Add-Ons Rack for 2.5-in Internal Hard Drive in 3.5-in Bay, or the Memphis USB 2.0 2.5″ External Hard Drive with Cradle.
