Should I Build a Custom NAS or use something like Synology

[TheExample]

I have a basic ReadyNas from NetGear and I am afraid it is failing or it is just becoming slow. I will probably need a bigger NAS for client files in the near future. Should I build a custom NAS with FreeNAS or just buy something like Synology NAS? I can't decide which will be more reliable, have the most possible storage and save me money. I also want the ability for remote access and cloud backup. Any thoughts? Is there a TechTip video/Post for this already?

[Roawoao]

If your comfortable dealing with software problems and getting all the right hardware and DIY building it yourself will be cheaper and more bang for your buck. 

 

If you just want something to work out of the box then a Synology NAS works very well on that aspect.

 

I actually have both a Synology NAS and DIY server. (Just in case something goes wrong with either one). One thing I don't like about Synology and every NAS except a full file server type one with windows/freeNAS is that they can choke on millions of tiny files (text data for work). One thing I don't like about self managed DIY servers is a lot of things can go wrong.

 

Synology does have remote access and many cloud backup methods but a DIY one obviously have many more options which can be a good and bad thing in you have to set that up yourself.

 

Synology will be very easy to use, good reliability but will not save you money as they are generally pricey.

If your really technically inclined a DIY server can have good reliablity and save you money but it will take much more time to get it dialed due to the DIY bit.

[TheExample]

Yeah, that is my thinking too. If it was for myself I would build it custom but this is for my business so maybe let the pros deal with it. lol

[Jimkirk363]

I have a Synology ds215j running 2 x 3GB Western Digital reds and im very happy so far.

[Curufinwe_wins]

From a cost perspective, making a proper custom NAS with recommended characteristics (like ECC ram, multiple intel nics) is only a good idea above 4 bay systems.

 

For less than 4 bay systems, OTS systems are much cheaper and faster.

For 4 bay systems OTS systems are about equal cost and about equal speed (outside of PLEX type things that are much better on custom nas)

For greater than 4 bay OTS NAS's, OTS systems rapidly become much more expensive than DYI and DYI systems rapidly become faster. 

[TheExample]

I might try something custom like this in the future! 

 

[Roawoao]

Also cloud backup is a good thing to use as you mentioned just make sure you test it periodically to make sure the recovery process is working and your data actually did make it into the cloud. I like triplicate backups for my important data so I have a RAID 1 or 6 local depending on drive count, Portable HDD backup, Cloud Backup. 

[TheExample]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Now I just need money!

[Jimkirk363]

38 minutes ago, Roawoao said:

Also cloud backup is a good thing to use as you mentioned just make sure you test it periodically to make sure the recovery process is working and your data actually did make it into the cloud. I like triplicate backups for my important data so I have a RAID 1 or 6 local depending on drive count, Portable HDD backup, Cloud Backup. 

2 Problems with cloud is the security and having to upload\download files everytime.

[Roawoao]

3 minutes ago, jimkirk363 said:

2 Problems with cloud is the security and having to upload\download files everytime.

Some support user provided encryption keys although you better back that up and secure it properly as if you lose that they cannot help you and your backups in the cloud are basically useless. The upload/download thing depends on how much data your backing up if it is just documents and some images its fine.

 

If your like me and have terabytes of work images and giant data files getting produced constantly then a DIY offsite method is much better. I still use cloud backups for documents and very important files. Also unless your work involves medical data, financial information, super private stuff you don't really need to care so much about a cloud security breach which is rare and is probably going to be the government. 

[Jimkirk363]

Why does it have to be offsite?

[Curufinwe_wins]

2 hours ago, jimkirk363 said:

Why does it have to be offsite?

In case of a house fire or something else locally catastrophic.

 

But it doesn't have to be...