Question on Nas vs Home Server

[edparker50]

Hi my Dune Base should arrive next week. I am trying to decide between a nas device or build a windows home server with the spare pc parts i have. The devices main use will be to stream both sd and hd content to 2 media players (right now a dune and an Xtreamer) Would also like to access the device thru the internet from work or a friends house as well. My networking skill lack to say the least so I've have some studying to do. I want to know at what point do you choose a nas vs a home server? My media is all dvd and blu ray isos. I want to be able to add more disks and expand the capacity as i go. Which route would you suggest i go? Thanks for any info given.

[Kat-CeDe]

Hi,
it sounds as if you would like to keep the machine running 24/7. In this case I would say NAS should be your way because of the lower energy consumption which can sum up to quite an amount each year.

In germany 50 more W each hour would sum up to around €100 each year.

Ralf

[edparker50]

Yes i would prefer a low power solution but i don't have to have it on 24/7. i could turn it off when im not using if need be.

[fld9]

1) I don't want a home server (Linux or Windows) as it would take me too much time to tweak it, maintain it and keep it up-to-date > I prefer a NAS for its simplicity

2) NAS are very reliable products. The OS is optimized on a NAS

3) I like companies (like Synology) which maintain the same firmware across their product family whichever processors they use (the same as HDI does with the Dune product family)

4) I like their business model where you pay once and for all a NAS and then you benefit from "free" updates and support (minimum 3 years for Synology)

5) If the firmware features are not enough for you, there is always the option to install a bootstrap (ipkg), mods, web apps and even compile your own apps.

If I mention Synology, it is because I have so far NAS products from this company only.

I use a DS509+ to stream my content to my Dune Prime 3 and Base 3 at home. I am going to replace it by the newest DS1010+ model (Intel D510 dual x86 processor) which is much more powerful (I am already using one for work) as I am running many other apps in addition to the firmware features.

For power consumption on D510, see this article: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-d510mo.html

Bootstrap & mods for DS1010+: http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/syno-i686/cross/unstable/

[edparker50]

Ok thanks i think i'm going to work on getting a nas. Fld9 do you use a desktop gigabyte switch? If so which one. I have a Dlink 5 port green switch but i have read that with some nas from other companies it has problems.

[Kat-CeDe]

Hi,
I have a cheap TP-Link GBit-Switch and it works like charme. Up to 90MB/sec from my PC to my Server.

Ralf

[fld9]

Hi edparker50,

I use a router. I have much more features than a simple switch and 4 network ports are sufficient for me. After that I use WiFi. I have one Prime 3 and my Synology NAS connected to the router. I have a Base 3 connected via WiFi.

I bought a Linksys WRT610N v2 which I flashed with firmware DD-WRT v24sp2

The Linksys WRT610N has a gigabit switch, a USB port and is simultaneous dual band (WiFi N on 2.4 and 5 GHz) - not like the Linksys WRT320N.

The DD-WRT firmware allows me to have the following features:
- OpenVPN server (very easy to setup via the GUI)
- sftp on a memory stick connected to the USB port
- prioritize streaming traffic
- port configuration (auto-negotiate, 100Mbit, full duplex, link aggregation...)
- mtu
- wake on lan with Synology NAS DS1010+

I am not happy with the WiFi USB DWA-140 B1 adapter (only one supported so far by HDI). It only uses the 2.4GHz frequencies. Too much latency and freezing on my Base 3. But the good news is that HDI will support more USB WiFi adapters with the next firmware. So I will switch to a dual-band model. Other alternatives are to buy a second WRT610N and configure it with DD-WRT as a WiFi dual-band client or just buy a Linksys WAP610N.

[edparker50]

Thanks i have a Dlink 655 for my router. Ports use as follows
1) Ps3
2) My Computer
3) Another computer in next room
4) Xtreamer

I just brought the dlink 5 port giga-switch(DGS-2205) With the advice i am looking at the Synology 710+. I can add the hard drive expansion later d510 or something like that.

Everything i have is hard wired.

With the addition of the dune i want to stream sd and hd content to both. As long as they are compatible i will have enough ports to run to the nas

You all don't have any problems ie stuttering?

[fld9]

I don't have any problem streaming to both players at the same time with a GE switch.

Feedback on the DS710+ is welcome.

[edparker50]

I don't have any problem streaming to both players at the same time with a GE switch.

Feedback on the DS710+ is welcome.

I don't have the Ds710+ just meant that's what i'm look to get.