Cramming 300TB of redundant storage into a 4-bay home NAS sounds like a noble cause, and just as brag-worthy as owning a 40-foot boat or a giant hot tub...and probably just as expensive.
—Patrick
To NAS or not to NAS, that is the question.
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
—Patrick
Hey @Dave Gas’ recommendations are pretty spot on.
An SSDs main advantage over a mechanical drive is not its transfer speed (3-4x faster), but its ACCESS speed (40-60x faster).
That means the SSD should contain those files your computer needs to find or change quickly and frequently. Game assets, the OS, audio/video assets that you are currently recording/mixing/editing, cache files, your swap files, and so on. Your HDD is the place for stuff you want to keep on standby BUT not frequently use nor modify. Half-finished but suspended projects, media files, installers, ISOs, or most anything that is big or that you only ever use from beginning to end (like a movie).
Also, NEVER DEFRAGMENT A SOLID STATE DRIVE. NEVER.
They don’t gain any benefit from defragmentation, in fact it actually wears them out faster.
—Patrick
An SSDs main advantage over a mechanical drive is not its transfer speed (3-4x faster), but its ACCESS speed (40-60x faster).
That means the SSD should contain those files your computer needs to find or change quickly and frequently. Game assets, the OS, audio/video assets that you are currently recording/mixing/editing, cache files, your swap files, and so on. Your HDD is the place for stuff you want to keep on standby BUT not frequently use nor modify. Half-finished but suspended projects, media files, installers, ISOs, or most anything that is big or that you only ever use from beginning to end (like a movie).
Also, NEVER DEFRAGMENT A SOLID STATE DRIVE. NEVER.
They don’t gain any benefit from defragmentation, in fact it actually wears them out faster.
—Patrick
No, don’t worry. You’re doing it right. Make backup FIRST. Make changes SECOND.
Optional paranoid step between the two - verify your backups
—Patrick
Check for NAS system update first, plug them both into the same switch if you can’t get them to see each other, make sure you have a clear route to the Internet before you start hitting up their support line. Most NAS units are smart enough to phone home the first time they’re powered on, but if its internal date/time is wrong it may be refused connection.
—Patrick
Dave
Staff member
Yeah right now my connection goes:
Cable in to wireless modem (LAN/WAN port) --> #1 to cable modem
--> #2 to computer
--> #3 to NAS
TV works fine. Computer works fine. NAS is not registering.
I'll see if there's any updates to the NAS although I don't know how I'l update it if I can't reach it.
Cable in to wireless modem (LAN/WAN port) --> #1 to cable modem
--> #2 to computer
--> #3 to NAS
TV works fine. Computer works fine. NAS is not registering.
I'll see if there's any updates to the NAS although I don't know how I'l update it if I can't reach it.
So you already installed Synology Assistant onto your PC, you powered up the NAS, you launched SA, but SA can’t find it?
—Patrick
—Patrick
You’re going to be returning the one drive anyway, will they not allow you to return the entire combo? Because if they do...
—Patrick
Dave
Staff member
Woke up today to a message that the other 4 TB HD that I bought has crashed with 60000+ bad sectors.
On the bright side, the SSD is working well finally (after some headaches) and I've still got the same amount of space I had before. I really want to like this NAS but it's been nothing more than a pain in the ass.
On the bright side, the SSD is working well finally (after some headaches) and I've still got the same amount of space I had before. I really want to like this NAS but it's been nothing more than a pain in the ass.
GasBandit
Staff member
Right now you can get Poweredge R710s for practically nothing, and they're good servers.
Here's the link to where I got mine, but the price has gone up from $325 to $375.
Don’t forget to also search for the PowerEdge T710 tower models, which are essentially the same machine, but in a tower form factor (and often not as noisy).
These machines may be limited to “only” PCIe 2.0 expansion and SATA II speeds, but unless you need the expansion capability and > 300MB/s HDD speed (which you don’t if you’re just going to make it into a NAS), they’re more than up to the task.
—Patrick
These machines may be limited to “only” PCIe 2.0 expansion and SATA II speeds, but unless you need the expansion capability and > 300MB/s HDD speed (which you don’t if you’re just going to make it into a NAS), they’re more than up to the task.
—Patrick
GasBandit
Staff member
Just be aware that particular one he linked is local pickup only, no delivery.
FYI added more stuff to the post, but just wanted to link a representative unit so he knew what they look like.
And it’s a shame, because that one is almost a steal at that price.
—Patrick
Dave
Staff member
So I was looking at them and I have some questions and concerns.
First, the models Gas linked only took 2.5" disks, which are either really expensive or hold fuck all for capacity.
Second, how loud/hot are these things? I looked at a couple YouTube videos about them and they sounded like jet engines fueled by the heat of the sun.
Third, so I understand all I do is plug in the drives, make sure everything is working fine (by attaching a monitor for the testing), and then plug it in to my router and configure as another network on the LAN?
I know I'm asking a lot of probably basic questions, but I've never worked with a NAS or the hardware side of a server farm so this is an area that I'm lacking.
First, the models Gas linked only took 2.5" disks, which are either really expensive or hold fuck all for capacity.
Second, how loud/hot are these things? I looked at a couple YouTube videos about them and they sounded like jet engines fueled by the heat of the sun.
Third, so I understand all I do is plug in the drives, make sure everything is working fine (by attaching a monitor for the testing), and then plug it in to my router and configure as another network on the LAN?
I know I'm asking a lot of probably basic questions, but I've never worked with a NAS or the hardware side of a server farm so this is an area that I'm lacking.
GasBandit
Staff member
Err, no...
From that link:
The one I linked comes with 4 300g 3.5" drives, taking up 4 of the six 3.5" bays (they even pre-arrange them into a 900 gig RAID 5 for you).
When you first turn it on, the fans come on at full power, which yes, does sound like a 747 taking off. However, within a few seconds, the power management features in the bios take hold, and while not silent, it becomes much more quiet than my previous gaming PC (not my current gaming PC, which IS silent). As long as it isn't kept in a hot room, it's fairly quiet. I wouldn't want it in a bedroom, but a closet or office would be fine. As a reminder, I keep mine in my office at work and I can still listen to music quietly.
Network? No. It's a server, which is just a computer. The setup for it would be much the same as if you were just setting up a new PC in your home. Get all your drives in, set up the shares you want, then just stick it in a closet or something somewhere with an ethernet cable going to your switch or router, and that's pretty much it. I installed TeamViewer on mine so I can remotely manage it from anywhere same as if I were sitting at it with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, but that's not strictly required - it just makes things more convenient.
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the server's the thin, long, silverish one on the bottom, under the big black monstrosity on the desk there. Yes, it's fully up and running.