I use the Thecus 5200 Pro. Very solid, compact, and full RAID backup. It is also configurable with different drive sizes.
http://www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=11&pid=8
http://www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=11&pid=8
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Media storage on enterprise NAS
Has anyone used a pro/industrial grade NAS for their system? That is, something like a Sun StorageTek 5220 NAS Appliance, Apple X-server, or something else? While I know its the expensive route, it seems a hell of a lot easier and likely better support. Are there any other options one should examine, keeping in mind it needs to go in a rack and the smaller the better.
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I don't mean to sound contrarian but it seems to me that if it's enterprise grade but "easier and good support" you want, then the best way to get it might be to go with enterprise grade hard discs but with a good consumer-friendly NAS. It just seems to me that an enterprise product comes with an assumption that it will be maintained by a professional. With consumer products they can't make that assumption.
You could be right, I am not sure. I need one that is rack mounted and is scalable. So the option suggested isn't really feasible. How scalable, who knows! I like the model of a NAS head and a server array, seems to make sense. When I look at reviews of a Mac X server, all I see are "reliable, built to last and sensors galore to warn you of impending doom". Seems like that is exactly what I want. Granted, the SUN application I list above is very pricey, so its unlikely, but the Mac one seems pretty solid.
I also just found this, the Asus RS160-E5 or RS100-X5/PI2, which look like a perfect NAS heads, with a full PCI slot for expansion. What is really appealing, is that they operate at only 36 and 30 dBa respectively. I wonder if they make a server array that is that quiet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Grant /forum/post/14106067
I don't mean to sound contrarian but it seems to me that if it's enterprise grade but "easier and good support" you want, then the best way to get it might be to go with enterprise grade hard discs but with a good consumer-friendly NAS. It just seems to me that an enterprise product comes with an assumption that it will be maintained by a professional. With consumer products they can't make that assumption.
You could be right, I am not sure. I need one that is rack mounted and is scalable. So the option suggested isn't really feasible. How scalable, who knows! I like the model of a NAS head and a server array, seems to make sense. When I look at reviews of a Mac X server, all I see are "reliable, built to last and sensors galore to warn you of impending doom". Seems like that is exactly what I want. Granted, the SUN application I list above is very pricey, so its unlikely, but the Mac one seems pretty solid.
I also just found this, the Asus RS160-E5 or RS100-X5/PI2, which look like a perfect NAS heads, with a full PCI slot for expansion. What is really appealing, is that they operate at only 36 and 30 dBa respectively. I wonder if they make a server array that is that quiet?
Well, if you take Apple's lead, they dropped their own Xserve RAID in favor of a Promise VTrak E-Class RAID. Their SMB/SOHO models have NAS support, but the rest require a host processor.
I like using Hammer Storage products. Not 'enterprise class', just good, solid, quiet NAS drives with USB backup.
Do you just use their hard drive arrays or the whole set up?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alimentall /forum/post/14108783
I like using Hammer Storage products. Not 'enterprise class', just good, solid, quiet NAS drives with USB backup.
Do you just use their hard drive arrays or the whole set up?
We use their MySpace products - http://www.hammer-storage.com/products/myshare.asp - but they do have the 'Galaxy Class' stuff which I would tentatively recommend just on the basis of the quality of their MySpace drives. I don't know how you'd manage and playback more than what the MySpace 2TB unit can store.
I have a nainmet/Netstream server system. I host all the music here but can access it in locations other then my home, that also have a naimnet/netsream server.... Soooo, yes, I don't listen to it all... but its in the family
![]()
As for space, it will be in a full RAID format, so 2TB is really 1TB and I have several 1,000 cd's. I will be keeping Ripstyles busy for a couple days.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alimentall /forum/post/14110360
We use their MySpace products - http://www.hammer-storage.com/products/myshare.asp - but they do have the 'Galaxy Class' stuff which I would tentatively recommend just on the basis of the quality of their MySpace drives. I don't know how you'd manage and playback more than what the MySpace 2TB unit can store.
I have a nainmet/Netstream server system. I host all the music here but can access it in locations other then my home, that also have a naimnet/netsream server.... Soooo, yes, I don't listen to it all... but its in the family
As for space, it will be in a full RAID format, so 2TB is really 1TB and I have several 1,000 cd's. I will be keeping Ripstyles busy for a couple days.
Enterprise class (to me) means a SAS backplane (w. possible fiberchannel support), SATA/SAS support, lots of management features, dedicated RAID processors, and tons of connectivity and RAID options. Supermicro makes some excellent products (IMO). A DIY-er might be able to put one of these together for $6-$7k (depending on disc capacity and interface type).
yetis, Pickled Productions is busy with my CDs right now, so I'm definitely looking forward to the continued input on this thread.
Yeah, I took one look at that and realized I was out of my league! Funny enough, it was my looking for Solaris 10, that introduced me to the Sun system above!
In all honesty, I have all these computer bits and I am just done with it. If I could get all the hours back that I spend fiddling with them, I would be a rich man.
This is just be throwing in the towel and doing it full bore from step one. So man times I have ***** footed into things (track car, salt water fish tanks, bikes, stereo,etc), where if I just threw down for what I wanted initially, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper then the constant upgrade cycle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Kotches /forum/post/14113754
How technically adapt is the original poster. Solaris 10 with ZFS gets enterprise level performance for the cost of commodity hardware. Very inexpensive in comparison to the other options.
It's not for everyone, and you do need some unix skills![]()
Cheers,
Yeah, I took one look at that and realized I was out of my league! Funny enough, it was my looking for Solaris 10, that introduced me to the Sun system above!
In all honesty, I have all these computer bits and I am just done with it. If I could get all the hours back that I spend fiddling with them, I would be a rich man.
This is just be throwing in the towel and doing it full bore from step one. So man times I have ***** footed into things (track car, salt water fish tanks, bikes, stereo,etc), where if I just threw down for what I wanted initially, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper then the constant upgrade cycle.
Michael,
I've been looking at the pickled productions service as well. Do you know how they ensure a perfect rip from the disc? (not talking about metadata cleaning... I'm talking about comparing known checksums to the rip like Accurip+EAC does, etc.). Their website doesn't have a lot of technical info. I'd also be interested in your impressions on their overall service (once you get your discs back).
I've been looking at the pickled productions service as well. Do you know how they ensure a perfect rip from the disc? (not talking about metadata cleaning... I'm talking about comparing known checksums to the rip like Accurip+EAC does, etc.). Their website doesn't have a lot of technical info. I'd also be interested in your impressions on their overall service (once you get your discs back).
+ 1 on the Thecus N5200B Pro which I have with five 750gig drives in a Raid 5 (it supports Raid 0,1,5,6 plus it can have multiple raids in the unit), plus it supports ISCSI if you really need speed and Jumbo Frames.
I also have the HP Smartmedia Server (using MS home server) which is easier to use (The automated daily/weekly/monthly and imaging backup function for my 6 machines justifies the price alone, plus the DNS registration and remote control to all my machines in my network is priceless...) but not even close to the storage capacity of the Thecus which can be slaved to a 2nd one for 10 drives... MS Home Server still has data corruption problems so I wouldn't recommend it unless you are just using it to backup you network machines.
Keep in mind the Industrial NAS units are all LOUD AS H*LL and consume more power..... so if you better be putting those other units somewhere isolated.
I also have the HP Smartmedia Server (using MS home server) which is easier to use (The automated daily/weekly/monthly and imaging backup function for my 6 machines justifies the price alone, plus the DNS registration and remote control to all my machines in my network is priceless...) but not even close to the storage capacity of the Thecus which can be slaved to a 2nd one for 10 drives... MS Home Server still has data corruption problems so I wouldn't recommend it unless you are just using it to backup you network machines.
Keep in mind the Industrial NAS units are all LOUD AS H*LL and consume more power..... so if you better be putting those other units somewhere isolated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rydenfan /forum/post/14105557
I use the Thecus 5200 Pro. Very solid, compact, and full RAID backup. It is also configurable with different drive sizes.
http://www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=11&pid=8
Greg,
I frankly didn't worry too much about the Accurip/EAC issue. They claim "Rip Quality Assurance via our Exclusive Rip Technology", and frankly there are so many ways to verify the bits that now I kind of expect it. What attracted me to their service was their disc cleaning and repair services. I have a few discs that have been handled a bit too heavily, and it will be nice to have that service. I will let you know how things go when I get my stuff back!
I frankly didn't worry too much about the Accurip/EAC issue. They claim "Rip Quality Assurance via our Exclusive Rip Technology", and frankly there are so many ways to verify the bits that now I kind of expect it. What attracted me to their service was their disc cleaning and repair services. I have a few discs that have been handled a bit too heavily, and it will be nice to have that service. I will let you know how things go when I get my stuff back!
Cytocycle,
So what's the heat noise level like on the Thecus? Can I keep it in my larger office closet without issues?
So what's the heat noise level like on the Thecus? Can I keep it in my larger office closet without issues?
I have since altered my plans on cost and sound concerns and will be outfitting one of these.
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...85&modelmenu=1
Initially, I will just run this, giving me time to set up the server array. It has 4 Hard drive slots on the chassis. Please note the 36 dBa, pretty quiet!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Grant /forum/post/14122731
Cytocycle,
So what's the heat noise level like on the Thecus? Can I keep it in my larger office closet without issues?
I have since altered my plans on cost and sound concerns and will be outfitting one of these.
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...85&modelmenu=1
Initially, I will just run this, giving me time to set up the server array. It has 4 Hard drive slots on the chassis. Please note the 36 dBa, pretty quiet!!!
36dBA is actually pretty loud, so depending on location as to whether it bothers you.... remember for every 3dB increase equals doubling of sound. Projectors that are 30+dB are way too loud to be hanging within 6ft of the listeners in my experience.. Sub 26dBA is bareable to me...some people change out the powersupply 40mm fan to reduce the noise and change out the other fan too...
My Thecus N5200 runs warm but that's because of the 5 Seagate Drives.. any way you cut it they generate heat...but the Thecus does spin them down when not in use which helps a lot. If you ran some of those new 1TB green drives they generate a lot less heat but I would still crack the door open to move some air....
The Asus is nice but it's only 4 drives and if you are running Raid 5 that's pretty expensive loss in Disc space.. four 1TB drives only gives you less then 3TB useable... The extra 5th drive is pure space in a Raid 5 setup (gets you about 4TB with 5 1TB drives.. in the Thecus N5200 which you can add later too it supports expanding raids and even upgrading to larger drives.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yetis /forum/post/14123698
I have since altered my plans on cost and sound concerns and will be outfitting one of these.
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...85&modelmenu=1
Initially, I will just run this, giving me time to set up the server array. It has 4 Hard drive slots on the chassis. Please note the 36 dBa, pretty quiet!!!
36dBA is actually pretty loud, so depending on location as to whether it bothers you.... remember for every 3dB increase equals doubling of sound. Projectors that are 30+dB are way too loud to be hanging within 6ft of the listeners in my experience.. Sub 26dBA is bareable to me...some people change out the powersupply 40mm fan to reduce the noise and change out the other fan too...
My Thecus N5200 runs warm but that's because of the 5 Seagate Drives.. any way you cut it they generate heat...but the Thecus does spin them down when not in use which helps a lot. If you ran some of those new 1TB green drives they generate a lot less heat but I would still crack the door open to move some air....
The Asus is nice but it's only 4 drives and if you are running Raid 5 that's pretty expensive loss in Disc space.. four 1TB drives only gives you less then 3TB useable... The extra 5th drive is pure space in a Raid 5 setup (gets you about 4TB with 5 1TB drives.. in the Thecus N5200 which you can add later too it supports expanding raids and even upgrading to larger drives.
Too each their own. The point of this is that its scalable. With the addition of a PC card and a 2U server array, it can handle up to 45 TB. So that is 45 TB in the space of 3U. Everything I do, needs to go into the rack here in the city Not that I will ever need that, but I will need more than 5.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cytocycle /forum/post/14129250
36dBA is actually pretty loud, so depending on location as to whether it bothers you.... remember for every 3dB increase equals doubling of sound. Projectors that are 30+dB are way too loud to be hanging within 6ft of the listeners in my experience.. Sub 26dBA is bareable to me...some people change out the powersupply 40mm fan to reduce the noise and change out the other fan too...
My Thecus N5200 runs warm but that's because of the 5 Seagate Drives.. any way you cut it they generate heat...but the Thecus does spin them down when not in use which helps a lot. If you ran some of those new 1TB green drives they generate a lot less heat but I would still crack the door open to move some air....
The Asus is nice but it's only 4 drives and if you are running Raid 5 that's pretty expensive loss in Disc space.. four 1TB drives only gives you less then 3TB useable... The extra 5th drive is pure space in a Raid 5 setup (gets you about 4TB with 5 1TB drives.. in the Thecus N5200 which you can add later too it supports expanding raids and even upgrading to larger drives.
Too each their own. The point of this is that its scalable. With the addition of a PC card and a 2U server array, it can handle up to 45 TB. So that is 45 TB in the space of 3U. Everything I do, needs to go into the rack here in the city Not that I will ever need that, but I will need more than 5.
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
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