Network attached storage

[rsvmilly]

Can anybody recommend an inexpensive NAS device which operates on 10/100 and doesn't require any proprietary software?

I use a Terastation at work and it is ideal, with shares and FTP, but I'm looking for a cheaper alternative for home. Something that works in the same way to the Terastation would be great.

[Plotloss]

Netgear do a NAS housing called the NC101 (I think) that you just stick IDE drives in.

[Plotloss]

There are also various linux alternatives running on an old pc

[rsvmilly]

Blimey, that was quick

I think the Netgear requires software on the client PCs to operate.

I'd like something open-format so that I can share music, movies etc and be able to access them with streaming players such as the Sonus.

[Plotloss]

Not sure it does, cant see it mentioned

www.netgear.co.uk/digital_home_sc101.php

Only about £60 too (plus the disks)

[cj_eds]

Been using a maxtor drive for a while now. Its 10/100 and is a USB master so you can daisy-chain more USB drives off it.
Don't know what the current price is like compared to others on the market though.

[magic torch]

Got a Buffalo Link Station myself, it's great

[rsvmilly]

Unfortunately, the Netgear one does seem to require a utility to be installed on the clients

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_fi

[Plotloss]

Is that not just for the setup though?

Then its simply issuing a

net use \drivename

Type command at the end...

[jeremyc]

I've got a LaCie plug-n-play network drive which is excellent: ethernet or USB interface, no client side software, seemingly compatible with all sorts of host systems and protocols. They now seem to do them up to 500Gbyte capacity as well.

Might not be the cheapest out there mind you ....

Edited to add: this one.

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 31st August 12:11

[Podie]

jeremyc said:

I've got a LaCie plug-n-play network drive which is excellent: ethernet or USB interface, not client side software, seemingly compatible with all sorts of host systems and protocols.

Might not be the cheapest out there mind you ....

Seen these, and there pretty good. There are some "non-branded" versions about, but can't comment on them with authority I'm afraind.

[puggit]

Podie said:

jeremyc said:

I've got a LaCie plug-n-play network drive which is excellent: ethernet or USB interface, not client side software, seemingly compatible with all sorts of host systems and protocols.

Might not be the cheapest out there mind you ....

Seen these, and there pretty good. There are some "non-branded" versions about, but can't comment on them with authority I'm afraind.

I've got one too, it does exactly what it says on the tin!

[Miles_stylus]

I have a very similar need; I want one NAS to be attached to the router (cable) and not need the anything else on the network to be on in order to access it (sonos) but I also want one to be wireless and preferablly to be able to backup the other one when everything else is off.

In this way I can hide the backup NAS, it will backup without any intervention and if some scrot steals all the PCs in the house they will not have removed all the data, or rather they will but I will have a copy.

Cost is important but by no means the most important item here.

Can anyone suggest anything?

Thanks

Miles

[arfur]

Folks, I have a THECUS N2100 .. This is a dual drive box with a samba share solution. It supports raid 1 and 0 so you can hide it in a wall with mirrored drives and feel happy that all your data is safe ( this is what I do with a 500Gb mirror ). It supported gigabit so if you have a 10/100/1000 switch you will be a happy bunny. I think it's also available with 802.2b/g adapter as well

www.thecus.com

[rsvmilly]

Plotloss said:

Is that not just for the setup though?

I don't think so

Netgear said:

While the new partition is now attached to the computer which created it, other computers which use the partition must attach it individually through their own SCM

[rsvmilly]

jeremyc said:

I've got a LaCie plug-n-play network drive which is excellent: ethernet or USB interface, no client side software, seemingly compatible with all sorts of host systems and protocols. They now seem to do them up to 500Gbyte capacity as well.

Might not be the cheapest out there mind you ....

These caught my eye on OC.uk

They seem to tick all the boxes.

Edited by rsvmilly on Thursday 31st August 14:11

[rich1231]

Plotloss said:

Netgear do a NAS housing called the NC101 (I think) that you just stick IDE drives in.

Ive got a netgear Nc101 and a ximeta drive...both require annoying client software so im going to replace them.

steer clear of any that require a client install

[randlemarcus]

And on the same steering clear lines, the LaCie 1Tb drive is a bit (read quite a lot) dog-like. Back on topic then - best recommendation for a transparent NAS (wireless optional) to stick away from the PC etc

[detchibe]

Try something like the Synology Diskstation?

Edit: The Netgear NAS devices *do* require the client software to be installed on each machine. knows why though.

Edited by detchibe on Thursday 31st August 21:19

[rsvmilly]

randlemarcus said:

And on the same steering clear lines, the LaCie 1Tb drive is a bit (read quite a lot) dog-like. Back on topic then - best recommendation for a transparent NAS (wireless optional) to stick away from the PC etc

Can you expand on this?


Looks like I might have to dig deep and get the Terastation at about £450. Bit more than I wanted to spend really, though. Still, at least the hard disks are already included and you can RAID it. Ignore any reviews that say they are noisy. I have one on my desk at work and it is pretty much silent.