Media storage options

[dizmo]

I've been pondering which way to go with my media storage in the future. I currently use a 2TB external hard drive, and it's slowly approaching capacity.

These are the three choices that seem most appealing:

• External NAS like a Synology DS416Slim
• Simply add two drives to a full sized tower and set them in RAID
• 2 external USB drives stacked on top of each other (likely LaCie Porsche drives) having one clone the other.

It took me a few years to fill up the 2TB drive, so I'm not overly worried about having a ton of space. It'll likely take me 3-4 years to fill another 2TB.

Originally I was looking at a SFF build for my next rig, however I think I'll likely go with a larger case since I've grown used to using it as a footrest.

 

Are there any advantages in getting a Synology unit aside from future expansion?

I'm leaning most towards simply adding 2 drives to the tower.

 

Thanks all

[PigWithAMustache]

Add the two drives. Quick and easy. Then if you really want to be a cool kid make a backup server!

[ARikozuM]

If you have extra hardware lying around, making your own isn't too difficult. I would look into the Synology you suggested and use three 2TB for RAID 5.

[PigWithAMustache]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

If you have extra hardware lying around, making your own isn't too difficult. I would look into the Synology you suggested and use three 2TB for RAID 5.

In other words, pull a Linus

[ARikozuM]

Just now, PigWithAMustache said:

In other words, pull a Linus

Pull a Linus? Sounds ineffective and painful.

 

If you do make your own, a Pentium and 8GB RAM would be sufficient.

[dizmo]

4 minutes ago, PigWithAMustache said:

Add the two drives. Quick and easy. Then if you really want to be a cool kid make a backup server!

I wouldn't really need a back up server, since one 4TB would clone the other

3 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

If you have extra hardware lying around, making your own isn't too difficult. I would look into the Synology you suggested and use three 2TB for RAID 5.

Nah, not interested in making my own. It'd be too large. I'd want something small if it's sitting on the desktop.

[ARikozuM]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

I wouldn't really need a back up server, since one 4TB would clone the other

Nah, not interested in making my own. It'd be too large. I'd want something small if it's sitting on the desktop.

The Synology has good expansion and I've heard good things as well.

[PigWithAMustache]

You could also add 4 500gb drives for raid 10 

[dizmo]

34 minutes ago, PigWithAMustache said:

You could also add 4 500gb drives for raid 10 

Except that doesn't give me 4TB.

It also seems like more of a pain than anything to achieve the exact same end result.

[ssfdre38]

do you have extra hardware around to make a server? and if you need 4TB coming from mutable drives, then use a RAID0 as it will grab all the drives, find the lowest drive and will pull the data from all those drives to make it into one drive and then you can get more of what you have

[Mikensan]

I'd also suggest getting something like a synology or QNAP device. WD even has their "my cloud" series. I can't think of which models off the top of my head, but some of them allow you to daisy chain which effectively gives you the ability to expand. I think even the most basic model allows you to plug in USB drives to share as well.

 

If you're worried enough then just get a unit that has more bays. Cheaper than buying a second unit later.

 

Is this for backup or will you be working off of this NAS? Can't recommend enough that you should budget in a backup solution, even if it's just another external hard drive. $60 1TB external for "critical" files etc..