NAS

godtabh

Can any one recommend a NAS that I could use for both windows and mac back ups, use as a media streamer (dlna) and have an itunes server. I would also like to be able to access it remotely via an iphone and ipad.

I had order the 3tb WD MyBook Live at a savage price but amazon cancelled my order because they could source it.

It doesnt need to be 3tb as I only have a budget of between €150-€200.

Paulw

I have a Netgear ReadyNas NV+ NAS - http://www.readynas.com/?cat=4

I can access it via PC and MBP. It's DNLA compliant, and has an itunes server. I've never used the itunes bit though.

I would highly recommend, but while the unit might be around your budget, it doesn't come with disks (which are the most expensive part).

Worth considering or something like it.

Talisman

As a ReadYNAS user since 2005, I would advise against buying one of the products for use with the Mac.

The support for Apple is flakey at best - if you use OS X Lion then you can only access the device via AFP and the implementation is terrible. Folders on the AFP share will seemingly disappear for no reason - if you can access the device from a Windows computer you will see the folder is still there but the AFP share can't see it for some reason. The solution to the problem is to make a copy of the affected folder on the Windows (CIFS) share and delete the old folder. I have a client who purchased the NV+ against my advice "because it was cheap" and is now plagued by the missing folder issue and also the Time Machine support is broken. Check their support forum before you decide to purchase.

My advise would to be to consider a Synology device. They are a far more progresive company and they were the first NAS provider to make their system OS X Lion compatible.

Deep Thought

I have a Synology

Its got 2TB and its fantastic

Mine is only one bay, but can can get multiple bays and have RAID

They are expensive, but if you can afford it, well worth the cash

Colonel Panic

I have a 2 bay Synology - a DS211j with 2x 2TB drives in RAID1 and it's one of the best geeky things I've ever bought.

I've got SABnzbd and Serviio installed on it, for downloads and media serving but it's got built in clients if you don't want to mess around with installing other packages.

It also works perfectly as a Time Machine target.

jester77

I would go with either a Synology or QNAP device. Both work great and have excellent software and community support.

Deep Thought

Colonel Panic wrote: »

I have a 2 bay Synology - a DS211j with 2x 2TB drives in RAID1 and it's one of the best geeky things I've ever bought.

I've got SABnzbd and Serviio installed on it, for downloads and media serving but it's got built in clients if you don't want to mess around with installing other packages.

It also works perfectly as a Time Machine target.

Did you install these directly on the Synology or on your mac?

If Synology...what version (PC, MAc, Unix etc) did you install

Cheers

DT

whiterebel

Talisman wrote: »

As a ReadYNAS user since 2005, I would advise against buying one of the products for use with the Mac.

The support for Apple is flakey at best - if you use OS X Lion then you can only access the device via AFP and the implementation is terrible. Folders on the AFP share will seemingly disappear for no reason - if you can access the device from a Windows computer you will see the folder is still there but the AFP share can't see it for some reason. The solution to the problem is to make a copy of the affected folder on the Windows (CIFS) share and delete the old folder. I have a client who purchased the NV+ against my advice "because it was cheap" and is now plagued by the missing folder issue and also the Time Machine support is broken. Check their support forum before you decide to purchase.

My advise would to be to consider a Synology device. They are a far more progresive company and they were the first NAS provider to make their system OS X Lion compatible.

Stay away from LG too. Flaky would be a huge improvement for LGs Mac "support". I can't use mine since the Lion changeover. They were supposed to have a solution in September 2011........:mad:

Colonel Panic

Deep Thought wrote: »

Did you install these directly on the Synology or on your mac?

If Synology...what version (PC, MAc, Unix etc) did you install

Cheers

DT

They are installed as packages on the Synology. Running DSM3.2. The machine itself it basically a small server running Linux.

You can install whatever you like on them but it can take a bit of mucking about with compiling dependencies for the appropriate architecture. I got bored of this pretty quickly so I stick to premade packages when I can.

Serviio
http://pcloadletter.co.uk/2011/09/23/serviio-synology-package/

SABnzbd
http://www.mertymade.com/syno/#sabnzbd

Stainless_Steel

I have a Drobo FS.

It has 5 disk bays, AFP and time machine compatibility.

It's a great device but very expensive. I wish I'd researched more and got a cheaper device with the same features.

godtabh

what is the Synology DS212J like to use with MBP, iphone, ipad and pc?

it seems to tick all boxes

whiterebel

godtabh wrote: »

what is the Synology DS212J like to use with MBP, iphone, ipad and pc?

it seems to tick all boxes

Give me a day or two with it, and I'll let you know Just got it delivered today from Amazon. Looks good so far.

godtabh

whiterebel wrote: »

Give me a day or two with it, and I'll let you know Just got it delivered today from Amazon. Looks good so far.

Thinking of ordering it from them. Out of interest do they provide a shipping number? I haven't had much luck with electronics from them

whiterebel

godtabh wrote: »

Thinking of ordering it from them. Out of interest do they provide a shipping number? I haven't had much luck with electronics from them

Yes, but didn't have to sign for it. Shipped from Dublin with An Post.

Deep Thought

whiterebel wrote: »

Stay away from LG too. Flaky would be a huge improvement for LGs Mac "support". I can't use mine since the Lion changeover. They were supposed to have a solution in September 2011........:mad:

Synology brought out an update to address that issue.

They are very good

whiterebel

Deep Thought wrote: »

Synology brought out an update to address that issue.

They are very good

They sure did. LG should takr a good look at themselves and their "support".
DS212J works fine, if a bit noisy. Must have a play around with the settings.

godtabh

In the end I went with another WD My Book Live from Dabs. I couldnt really afford the additional hard drive

Freddie59

Gave up on the NAS and ordered one of THESE to use in conjunction with an existing HDD. I'm really only looking to back stuff up. Looks OK, but I suppose it's not a big hit to take if it isn't.

Deep Thought

Freddie59 wrote: »

Gave up on the NAS and ordered one of THESE to use in conjunction with an existing HDD. I'm really only looking to back stuff up. Looks OK, but I suppose it's not a big hit to take if it isn't.

I could never get these things to work (its me not them)

Thats why I went for the easier option of everything built in.

My mate uses them and he has no problems..but me..well...

Freddie59

Deep Thought wrote: »

I could never get these things to work (its me not them)

Thats why I went for the easier option of everything built in.

My mate uses them and he has no problems..but me..well...

Ah feck it. I'll give it a rattle.:D I'll let ye know how it goes.......

whiterebel

Controlling the DS212j in Cork from Wexford with an iPad:eek:
Some piece of kit alright......;)