NAS for home opinions?

[Fourx4Brad]

I have a 5+ yr old Buffalo TeraStation Pro NAS. The current 4 drives = 2TB @ raid 5. Over the years I have replaced drives, cooling fans, etc. Tonight a drive failed so I think its about time to lifecycle it complete.

Preferred requirements
2+TB of space
2 lan ports (prefer 1GB speed)
1 usb and\or 1 firewire port
4+ drive hot swappable slots
webpage management
media server for tv's capable
budget prefer < $1000 complete


I haven't kept up with the home storage market and so I ask for suggestions?

[jw33]

I've been happy with my Synology DS412+. I also have a little two bay Netgear unit that has been running for several years and only had a single drive failure since it was new. The Netgear machine is definitely not as nice as the Synology. I'm going to soon stop messing around and step up to a single 12 bay unit though. I've run out of space and I worry about having a drive failure and losing everything during the rebuild.

[Fourx4Brad]

JW33, thanks for sharing your opinion. Saturday I researched the Synology brand online but didn't see any in stock at Microcenter or TigerDirect.

With a dead drive in my older NAS I felt it was best to make a quick decision instead of ordering from Amazon or NewEgg and suffer potential data loss waiting for a delivery. So on Sunday I bought a WD MyCloud EX4 and 4 -2TB WD Red drives. If others are interested I will post a status update in a few weeks.

My new config
6TB @ RAID5
2-1GB lan ports with active\active load balancing options
2-usb3.0 ports, but no firewire port
4 drive hot swappable slots
webpage management
dlna compliant media server for tv's
Cost me approx $700 using some leftover TDirect store credit.

[ceyko]

Although you've already pulled the trigger - I'd consider moving to the Synology as well. Quite a few other services/apps can be run on its OS/interface and it's generally a slick system. I have a 2XX version, had I known I'd like it so much I would've bought into a 4XX variation of it.

[8mpg]

Synology all the way. Im on my 2nd. I went from a DS212j to a 1512+. The new one has 10TB of usable space using their storage raid setup (SHR). Its running my home security setup. It has been almost flawless. There was a pants shitting fear time when there was a security issue and I had to update the OS. I thought I lost everything but it is all there.

[Jose]

JW33, thanks for sharing your opinion. Saturday I researched the Synology brand online but didn't see any in stock at Microcenter or TigerDirect.

With a dead drive in my older NAS I felt it was best to make a quick decision instead of ordering from Amazon or NewEgg and suffer potential data loss waiting for a delivery. So on Sunday I bought a WD MyCloud EX4 and 4 -2TB WD Red drives. If others are interested I will post a status update in a few weeks.

My new config
6TB @ RAID5
2-1GB lan ports with active\active load balancing options
2-usb3.0 ports, but no firewire port
4 drive hot swappable slots
webpage management
dlna compliant media server for tv's
Cost me approx $700 using some leftover TDirect store credit.

How is this setup working out for you? I'm curious as to I might be able to get a deal on one so I'm leaning towards a similar setup.

[jammeejamm]

[Binky]

For those with the Synology - what are your experiences with heat and noise.

What about alerting of issues - visual / audible only? maybe an SMTP server or other email notification alerting?

I'm trying to see if its a candidate for being squirreled away into the data closet and ignored.

[ceyko]

For those with the Synology - what are your experiences with heat and noise.

What about alerting of issues - visual / audible only? maybe an SMTP server or other email notification alerting?

I'm trying to see if its a candidate for being squirreled away into the data closet and ignored.

I only have a 2 bay one, so take that for what it's worth.

Plenty of email alerts available. Mine did die awhile ago, there was no audible alert - of course it was after an upgrade - it just bricked. (Synology replaced it under warranty)

Otherwise for drive/other issues there are email alerts.

Mine runs cool and is silent. I'd say it depends on the closet ventilation of course if it'll be fine there.

[8mpg]

I run a 1512+ now which is a 5 bay. I have had a previous audio alert but I forget why it alerted me. It is basically silent and stays cool. Here are my hard drive temps. Its been running for 18 days straight with the last shutdown for updates


My synology is in a small cabinet with a router and switch. There is no back to the cabinet though.

[Binky]

Good info, thanks.

Now I just need to get the data cables run through the house.

[Fourx4Brad]

Usage?
I've had the WD MyCloud EX4 running for nearly a month now. I was able to move all my data over smoothly. The case size is equal to a 4 slice bread toaster so I keep it under my desk on a piece of plywood next to a couple desktop pc's. The plywood provides support and elevation to cut down on static buildup, carpet, dog hair and dust being pulled into the case by its cooling fans.


System monitoring?
It is manageable from a webpage or there is a software utility that runs in the Windows system tray to provide a quick glance at operations. For status alerts there is a digital display, email, beeping, or led alert options to configure. You can turn the led and display brightness off or dim in case of it being in a bedroom.


Firmware updates?
So far the utility has reported on two available firmware updates. I manually installed the first firmware update v.1.03.xx upon initial un-boxing the system. I'm watching for user reviews before installing this latest firmware v.1.05.30 release from 12/16/2014.

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/updates/?family=wdfmycloud_ex4

Streaming?
I'm just starting to use the streaming media to TV's option. At home I have Verizon Fios with WiFi LED TV's. So far I have streamed two 1080P movies over WiFi with no interruptions or issues.


My deciding factor to go WD?
I have had good past experience with WD hard drives and figured WD would provide product support for 3-5+ years.

[jw33]

Finally pulled the trigger. Synology DS2413+ with eight 4TB Red Pro drives. It will have about 22-23TB usable space when it is finished being setup.