Should I Get a NAS or a MicroServer?

scead on 25/04/2016 - 08:44

I've got a desktop workstation with 5 drives in it. I can hear some of the drives are starting to 'click', so I think I should probably do something about that.
Rather than buying more drives as a replacement, I just want to move them to a NAS.

What are your thoughts. Should I purchase a NAS like a Synology or a something like:

http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/hp-proliant-microserve…

I'd be happy to configure FreeNAS with zfs, etc, so getting a plug and play NAS doesn't really phase me that much. I wouldn't mind doing other stuff with it as well.

Thoughts?

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2016 - 08:51

    Synology is good- lots of features and easy to use. Microserver is a more powerful machine and good if you want to be hands on.
    Synology has a few good packages, but Microserver will give you most control to do whatever you want.

    Whichever you decide, you really got to do something about those clicking drives. Make sure you have a good data backup.

  • teardrops21 on 25/04/2016 - 09:02

    I was a complete novice to this area a couple of years ago when I bought my Synology Nas. It has been awesome, the apps are easy to use, sharing has been completely seamless. Automatic cloud backup. Yes I may have felt greater satisfaction building a microserver, however it would have taken up lot of time that I don't have. The other good thing about Synology is the regular software updates, again takes a lot of maintenance out of the system.

    My only regret with the Synology is that I bought a ds413j if I had my time again I would buy one with more memory and more processing power.

  • MattyAu on 25/04/2016 - 09:12
    +1

    I just posted a deal on the Synology Diskstation DS715 just the other day and someone recommended this server as an alternative, more powerful, cheaper option. Apparently can load the Synology OS on to it too if you're a little more tech savy. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/244746 (check the comments, post by systmworks)

  • airzone on 25/04/2016 - 09:23

    I have a Synology 1513+. It's a great machine, and I also pair it up with a small desktop PC as a "server". Best of both worlds… Actually the only thing the synology can't really do well is plex transcoding.

    • teardrops21 on 25/04/2016 - 10:34
      +1

      I think the "play" versions of Synology nas are designed to handle the transcoding for media streaming.

  • tin tin on 25/04/2016 - 09:51
    +1

    Get a Synology I don't think you will regret it, I got the bottom of the range one though and it is a bit slow so spend a little more and get one with a bit of grunt.

  • OZB Al on 26/04/2016 - 09:10
    +1

    I vote microserver, you are not tied to one OS and you can cheaply upgrade RAM and most hardware if required (excluding CPU). You're also not tied to only the applications that run on that one OS.
    But check the microserver will do RAID how you want it done first.

    • kipps on 22/05/2016 - 18:38

      +1 for the microserver. I have an old N36L microserver running FreeNAS and it hasn't missed a beat. Being BSD based it can do basically anything I can throw at it, whereas Synology was about the same cash and is incredibly limited.

  • rompastompa on 26/04/2016 - 09:17

    What are the specs of your current workstation? Do you need the benefits of a microserver/nas? If you're not concerned about power, size and noise, then buy some more drives and install freenas or similar.

    Though, main problem I see is copying current data.

  • DARK KHAOS on 01/05/2016 - 16:49

    Just get a microserver and load windows server 2012r2 with 180 day trial.

    • scead on 22/05/2016 - 15:36

      with 180 day trial?

    • MattyAu on 23/05/2016 - 09:47

      I had a play around with WS2012r2 over the weekend, always thought I was pretty tech savy; I was completely lost in it unfortunately, have switched back to my Synology NAS until I can figure it out a bit more (or an alternative).

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