What router and NAS to buy?

ThePensioner on 12/04/2012 - 13:35

hey guys, i'm looking to setup a NAS on the other side of my house for the purpose of backing up. i have a laptop and desktop i use that connects to my motorola SB5100 cable modem. the desktop uses the USB port on the modem and the laptop uses the ethernet port.

i've never owned a router as i didn't want to make things more complicated by adding another device in the mix as my setup has worked perfectly for a long time now (if it ain't broke don't fix it i always thought.) however, it's becoming more apparent that i need a wireless router for my devices to be able to communicate effectively with each other instead of using a USB drive to transfer data between them. getting a NAS will only make things more complicated.

what do you guys think i should look into? i just want a wireless router and NAS that's cheap. i saw the HP Pro box over here: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/67063 and it looks pretty good, but a bit complicated. then i came across this and it looks good, but only has USB ports: http://go.iomega.com/en/products/network-storage-desktop/wir…

i'm thinking of setting up environment in this way: one desktop/one laptop/one iPod Touch in one room with 3 external USB drives connected to a NAS on the other side of the house to be able to backup data up.

i've never used a wireless router or NAS before so i'd appreciate any recommendations.

thanks guys

Computing

Comments

  • ThePensioner on 12/04/2012 - 13:39

    could a cheap netbook/old tower be a good way to go?

  • georgedeka on 12/04/2012 - 17:07

    Does the NAS have to have 3 externals - if that is your requirement you will be limited. Something like the HP or otherwise something like the QNAP's should do it. Check/Ask on whrilpool in the networking forum.
    Afterthought: you may be able to use a USB HUB with a device with less than 3 ports

    Router wise becasue you will be using your existing modem (not an intergated one) look at a Tomato or dd-wrt compatible router.

    Yet again whirlpool is your friend.

    A netbook/tower can work - just make sure they are low powered - that is the advantage of a NAS

  • nowlan on 12/04/2012 - 17:08

    to connect a nas, desktop, laptop you will need a switch to plug all the ethernet cables into.

    Routers & wireless access points normally have a 4 port switch on them.

    When I was on bigpond cable, I had it plugged into a netgear router that had wireless.
    Cant comment on what brand/model to get these days, but suggest that or a wireless access point.

    A server on all the time would use more power than a dedicated NAS.
    But the hp microservers are low power.

    They just dont provide NAS functions out of the box.
    Need to install an operating system, linux is free.

    External hard drives are usually slow. Best for offsite backup purposes.

    —
    1. suggest you look at non adsl routers / wireless access points.
    2. a dedicated nas, so that it is plug and play out of the box.
    3. external usb for offsite backup.

    —
    hopefully someone else chimes in.

  • scotty on 12/04/2012 - 22:35

    Depending on how complicated you are willing to go, I'll

    • Setup a proper NAS like the HP ProLiant Microserver or use an old tower/laptop
    • Get a wireless router, connect your cable modem, NAS and other devices onto it

    You'll need to setup the NAS application/operating system if you go for Microserver or recycle an old desktop. Personally I got a QNAP with Atom CPU which already comes with everything setup (as well as running Debian 6 chroot). The Iomega iConnect, while looks quite simple to setup, would be quite slow and inflexible as a NAS.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2012 - 08:27

    personally I'd get a llinksys wireless router 2000 model for $150 range

    I find usb drives attached to 24hour nas devices tend to stop respomds once a week regardless of brand drive and nas so i'd get a nas that comes with or can add internal drives, and allows usb drives as well
    and a netgear readynas duo nv+ nas for ~ $150
    http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/rnd2000-netgear-rnd2000-…
    just add one or two hard drives

    an even better option
    if your determined to usb drives, some netgear and linksys wireless router models in the 150~$200 range with usb storage port are a better option
    like e3200 or e4200
    http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/e3200-linksys-cisco-e320…

  • ThePensioner on 15/04/2012 - 16:53

    why do the USB drives stop responding?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2012 - 18:37

      they spin down power down of go flex and elements seems to confuse my nas

    • tonyjzx on 17/04/2012 - 13:17

      all much of a muchness really

      comes down to brand loyalty

      i'd be after an asus or something not that common brand and n300

      • ThePensioner on 17/04/2012 - 15:34

        oh, ok thanks so it won't matter which one i get? i just want one with good range really.

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