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treidling
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Post subject: Help picking a multipurpose NAS (CrashPlan/video/BitTorrent)
 Posted: Jul 15, 2010 - 02:50 PM CST
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Joined: Jul 15, 2010
Posts: 2
 
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Hi all,
I'm looking for advice on getting a multipurpose home NAS. My technical level is intermediate. I'm not afraid of a command line but the last time I set up a linux system was almost 15 years ago and I'm not an IT professional.
System Requirements and Uses (in order of importance):
- Runs CrashPlan server (specs say 1GB RAM needed but some users say 512MB may be enough)
- Functions as a home media server for video content: Mostly via downloaded video content, possibly Netflix on demand or similar, unlikely TV/cable directly.
- Low power consumption. I'll be leaving this thing on 24/7 so I really want to be in the 10-30 watt range if at all possible.
- Is secure without too much tinkering; I lack the experience to know about and fix every security vulnerability on my own.
- Under $500
- BitTorrent client built-in or relatively easily installable
- Ease of use: This will be the only way one can watch video content of any kind in my home. I don't want to make it too difficult for guests to operate.
I'm not averse to assembling my own machine but it seems like most of these requirements would be better met with a prepackaged NAS. I'm flexible on OS (linux, Windows, Mac).
Any suggestions? |
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PCRoger
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Post subject: RE: Help picking a multipurpose NAS (CrashPlan/video/BitTorr
Posted: Jul 16, 2010 - 12:05 PM CST
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Joined: Jun 28, 2010
Posts: 8
Status: Offline
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Under $500 is kind of a tough nut to crack if you want to protect your data with RAID1, minimum.
I'd have to check to see if most NAS' use linux kernel 2.6... I don't think CrashPlan has NAS's in mind, but I could be wrong.
With ReadyNAS from Netgear, they have ReadyNAS Vault builtin; obviously you have to subscribe to their online backup service but it is fairly reasonably priced.
10 - 30 watts is pretty low.
With my ReadyNAS NVX I have the HDs power down when not in use and there is a free addon you can install to put the fan to sleep.
I have several ReadyNAS units myself and have some reviews at NetworkStorageTips.com
Regards,
PCRoger. |
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treidling
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Post subject: RE: Help picking a multipurpose NAS (CrashPlan/video/BitTorr
Posted: Jul 16, 2010 - 01:33 PM CST
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Joined: Jul 15, 2010
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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Thanks, PCRoger.
As this is only one of several parts of a backup scheme and this data will reside elsewhere, RAID 1/5/other isn't strictly necessary, though it would be nice and will probably end up coming along with the other stuff I need in any case. I'm happy to add a little cash for that. I didn't say it explicitly, but the price is without HDD as I already have one or two lying around. Really, I'm just trying to see if there's a solution for less than the price of a Mac Mini or comparable low-power, mini-desktop (countertop?).
I've done a fair amount of research on backup solutions and have chosen CrashPlan mostly because it's easy and allows free P2P backup, among other reasons. I'm planning to run it as a headless (remote GUI) process on the NAS. As you say, CrashPlan doesn't seem to have had NASes in mind, but several folks have had success installing the linux version of it nonetheless. I know that Synology, at least, mostly uses linux 2.6.
There are a number of prepackaged NAS solutions that list energy use specs well within my parameters but few or none of them meet my other requirements as far as I can tell.
I'm no expert, but from what I can tell DLNA doesn't sound ready for primetime, so I expect to hook the NAS to a single TV directly.
Thanks again, and please let me know if you have any further thoughts. |
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NetworkGuy
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Post subject: RE: Help picking a multipurpose NAS (CrashPlan/video/BitTorr
Posted: Jul 16, 2010 - 02:58 PM CST
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Site Admin
Joined: Apr 18, 2005
Posts: 195
Status: Offline
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| A Windows Home Server might do the trick for you. You can install all the apps that Windows support. You might be able to get 30 watts if you have just one drive. But when the drives are not active multiple drives at around 30 watts might be possible too. |
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