missed out on the HP ProLiant N40L MicroServer deal from shopping express recently, was wondering if anyone has come across something similar? i think it was HP ProLiant N40L MicroServer + 2TB at $339?
4-Bay NAS Drive
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/g/38.jpg)
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either, whichever proves more cost effective. Not fussed between the two, server has more capabilities i guess.
If you are after the NAS + media server/download functionality, then looking at the Synology/QNAP devices is the way to go.
If you just was NAS, then Netgear type appliances are something to look at.
Myself, I have a Synology DS413, althought the DS413j is the cheaper option which might attract you.
Probably looking for something a bit cheaper than the DS413j, sub 300.00 with 4 bays really.
ive been looking at getting a nas drive too. can you stick random hard drives in it ( ive got a 2tb samsung, 1.5tb seagate, 2tb wd, 3tb wd) or do they all have to be the same?
oh and i need it to beable to stream hd to about 3 devices not all at the same time. but if it could do two at once it would be cool
No, but you'll need to look at each model specifically to see the support for what you are proposing.
Those with "hybrid RAID" functionality can mean you get to use more capacity of the drives than traditional RAID.
you can, with synology (only) as far as i know.
other like qnap, you still can but you will loose some GBs.
with syno, you dont loose any space even if you mix drives or upgrade just one with different size
then the only solution is keep checking ozb more often so you dont miss out.
in the meantime, save the $$$ its good coz price of HDD keeps going downthe three i was tossing up.
http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/hp-proliant-n40l-micro…
http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/buffalo-linkstation-pr…
http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/netgear-readynas-104-4…
pros and cons from any experiences with these drives?
I've got the readynas 104 and it does it's job well.
I have it set up with sabnzbd, sickbeard, couchpotato and mysql.
Contains all of my media with 4x3TB wd red drives in raid 5 giving me ~9TB of storage.
Can hang up a little when it is downloading + extracting files however it has been great, current uptime is 3 weeks and thats only cause I had to update it.The N40L is definitely more powerful if you wanted to transcode, as it's a no go on the RN104.
If you do go the readynas route, these websites will be helpful.
I think my solution is going to be most unconventional, and least attractive to the nas experts around here. How about a raspberry pi with a powered usb hub and usb housings for your hard drives? The advantages are that it's cheap, you can use it as a media server, file server, print server and also run software on it like Transmission, Plex, etc since it's a Linux device. It can stream 16gb mkv files with ease too. The Model B Raspberry Pi is only about $55.
The idea is good but I don't think this will work well at all.
The reason is that you are using USB 2 for network and storage. The 'steam 16gb mkv files with ease' comment is likely to fall apart with that bottleneck. In theory the maximum bandwidth of 480mbps is enough, but attempting to run 4 HDs and steam over the network at the same time throws this theory out the window quickly.
My current setup would disagree with you. Source: I'm doing this already.
Fair enough. I'm curious, how do you have your drives set up? Stripping across 4 drives (raid 0/5/6) is the case I was considering.
Sorry, just saw your question here. I decided against RAID as I wanted maximum available space. They've all been formatted to ext2 for speed, and have just been mounted normally then shared across my home network using Samba.
This might be what lets it work. If you are only accessing one drive and Ethernet, USB is probably OK.
Not OK if that drive fails though.
Does the Model B have issue with DTS decoding?
Yes. Though in this case we are talking about streaming the data to an external player, so this point is not relevant.
Hi all
Sorry to hijack the thread and offer no real solution to the op's needs butI have a 2 yr old NAS dual hdd capability to give away for the cost of postage and the 20 dollars it cost me for a replacement psu 1 mth ago.
Unit is this one. itian SQ202 http://www.myitian.com/html/products/sub2_mn01_cn01.html - I don't have the original install image disk for the hdd, but anyone with Linux experience could add the missing images for MySqL, Etc. Setup software I do have, unit works fine recognises windows 7 disks on computer side but will format internal units as linux units.
I upgraded computer case etc so now have 3 x 2 tb drives and 2 ssds available internally. NAS is no longer needed, too good to dump at the tip etc. interested PM me.
ShannonOr wait for something like this. (new n36l microserver)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321141…then load this on it. (XPEnology)
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18528018I am very happy with mine…
even the synology package center works.wow didnt know someone able to load syno o/s into something else! thats good.
FYI guys i went the n40L. Ended up getting it for 269.00. Not the best deal thats come around but hey its still a good price.
You won't be disappointed. They are a great device and loads of pimp potential…
Do you want a server or a dedicated NAS device? The N40L is a PC. Most 'NAS' units are insert drives, plug in, turn on.