Help with memory stick purchase please

[BillyGoat]

BG - what do you reckon to NAS devices then? or even make-shift NAS devices (ex PCs not normally up to running modern software) running (cough, choke spit) Linux?

Depends ultimately what you want to do with it really.

I've had one of these before: Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ and a D-Link DNS323 and quite a few others.

My issue has always been limited flexibility and lack of ongoing support for the firmwares and limited integration with NEW technologies. For that reason alone, I'll not be buying another. Both the two mentioned below had TERRIBLE spin up times too, the ReadyNAS was the worst when it had 4 drives. It span one up after the other, presumably to prevent excessive pull on the PSU.

You CAN do a machine with a PC, but why bother when REAL server hardware is so cheap. You get ECC RAM, reliable RAID, hotswap and alerts via indicators to failed/failing drives, etc, etc, etc. You CAN do it with a desktop PC, but there are always compromises to be made, unless you just have it laying around and want to use it.

For family and a couple of mates businesses, I've set them up with REAL servers (like the HP microserver above) and I've NEVER had to go back to fix them. Not once. THAT is why I'd not use a desktop PC.

AS for linux, there are some great NAS packages out there. Really, there are. In terms of management though, I prefer my Windows setups - I can have one fully working very quickly and never need to touch it again. While I could get a linux one doing all what I want, it would be much more effort for me - which I'm not interested in doing on a box I never want to see.

Like I said, its the most boring bit of kit you'll buy, but the most useful!

BG

[BillyGoat]

That's it the Goat is going on my ignore list

So at the moment the big beasty is running a 250GB SSD for OS and 4 x 3TB barrucudas in Raid 10 for mass storage

So what would be the benefits of converting to a NAS setup over using this as a home server?

Would moving the barracudas out into an enclosure in't loft and adding a second SSD in Raid 0 for OS and programs backed up to the NAS be a decent option?

Would performance be ok running the NAS and the primary pc on ethernet with the rest of the fixed stuff on powerline adapters and tablets/phones on wifi?

Now you've opened a can of worms

My current disk data transfer is just tooooo slow

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HA - what are the odds.

Tom....where in the world are you??? A HomeServer has just gone up for sale with work, it'll go quickly though......it's 100 quid, for a Tranquil SQA-5H Windows homeserver with 2GB of RAM and 2x1TB drives!!!!!!!! Mad. It's 3 years old, but cost almost 500 quid new!! That would be ideal for you and your needs.

Ray, if you are going to do it, running a few network cables and going gigabit ethernet would be best - I don't think I'd plop all my stuff remotely unless I was fully cabled up. Powerline is great, but rarely do you get full speeds on transfer and depending on the kit you got, it's probably got a 100mb ethernet port - not ideal!

My mate had his in the loft, hidden.....it's been there for years! Again, he's cabled up and it's perfect. He runs download clients for his newsgroup stuff. Downloads direct to his storage array, then is availble to play on his video streamers....how I used to do it :)

[thescruff]

I'd take it if you could get before thursday BG

I'll be in and around Nottingham Thursday so could easily divert to collect on the way back.

[BillyGoat]

I'd take it if you could get before thursday BG

I'll be in and around Nottingham Thursday so could easily divert to collect on the way back.

I could buy it (if he's still got it, which he hasn't said otherwise), but definitely not before Thursday - would be a couple of weeks as I'm not around next week and it's in Reading!

BG

[thescruff]

Reading is even easier as its off the M4 but could I collect it from there.

[BillyGoat]

Reading is even easier as its off the M4 but could I collect it from there.

Just asked if he's still got it and if collection is a problem. Will update soon!

BG

[thescruff]

Could pretend to pick up for you if it's still available.

I can go Reading and up the M1 to notts instead of the M5/M42

[BillyGoat]

I've just fired the mail across asking him if he's still got it, it's a social alias at work, so lots of things get offered around.

I've said it's a friend that wants it, so if he's got it, I'll put you in touch with him direct - be easier. Only possible issue would be access to work site, but that's easily overcome.

will update when he replies.

BG

[BillyGoat]

Well, that sucked pants - I thought it was cheap when he said 100 quid!!! He's had over 100 emails asking for it - should have got in last night, but didn't see it until this morning.

If you want, I'll keep my eye open for another - any preference, or just similar to that?

If you want, PM your phone number or email or something that you are quickly contactable by, I'll let you know soon as something comes up, usually have to act quickly!

BG

[Tom d'Angler]

I'm not sure a manufacturer refurbished drive with a three month warranty is where you want to keep your memories.

Well, that will teach me for not reading things properly. Kinel.

[Razor]

depending on the kit you got, it's probably got a 100mb ethernet port - not ideal!

Right I've just set up the home network option on Win 7 'cos I need to transfer 2TB of media over to the new PC and the transfer was running at 1.89Mbs which may take a while - like a month!

Ones running ethernet and the other powerline although speedtest shows them both on the net at 22meg so I don't think the holdups there?

Ran the trouble shooter and guess what? it said one of the devices has a 100mb ethernet port

Both pc's have gigabit ethernet but although the BT home hub 3 has four ports only one is marked GigE so I'm presuming that's the bottleneck.

Soooo what do I need to do to up transfer speeds so I can transfer my files and stream Blurays from the pc to the telly. Do I need a switch before the BT hub??

[BillyGoat]

You sir, need a gigabit switch.

BTHub (Gb port) > switch > devices

Everything will plug into the switch. I use one of these for day to day stuff, never had a problem myself and its only 20 quid:

http://www.dabs.com/products/tp-link-8- ... origin=pla

Bg

[Razor]

Cheers BG I'm gonna order one of those bad boys today!

Whilst I'm at it a couple of sets of these look a pretty good price for the printers/playstation etc??

http://www.dabs.com/products/tp-link-av ... -849M.html

[BillyGoat]

Good price for the powerline stuff for 500mbps versions too - but you are limited to 100mbps transfer anyhow on those (see the specs for the port).

If it's just gaming and stuff, they will be perfect.

Is there any chance you could route a cable to them (inside or out)? I've got some cat5e left over in the garage and plugs/tools to do crimp them up. Will check the box, but I'd guess about 100/150 in one box?

BG

[Razor]

I'm still very tempted by the home server idea, mostly because I use a combination of lappy's, pc's and tablets here and the thought of having the same data on all of them is the clincher. At the moment I'm trying to remember what photos or files are on what and it's a real pain cos I end up with duplicates and I can't do work stuff on the lappy or the main pc's files will be out of sync etc.

The server sounds the way to go and looks pretty easy to set up too. Was thinking of running cables to the pc and tv for now and the rest on powerline or wireless.

You're definitely turning me into a geek

I know computing is mostly about keeping things from getting hot so a cold loft wouldn't be a problem for a server right??