+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? (/showthread.php?tid=216617)
Pages:
1
2
Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - clay - 05-15-2018
I am looking to simplify some storage needs at our house/my home office. Moving disks away from my computer for a variety of reasons, and also centralizing some backup and media file storage. Possibly some video files will be stored on the device for network playback (DVD and blu-ray rips), but that probably won't be a primary function. I know many folks like to put a Mac mini into service with some connected external storage for this purpose, but I'm thinking that route might end up being more $$ and complexity than what its worth to me in this particular scenario.
So I'm looking at the Synology DS418play (4 bay NAS). $425. Anybody have alternate options to suggest that I consider? I have installed a couple other Synology models in recent past for some clients, and those have seemed to perform quite reliably in those situations. I'm seeing a similar QNAP TS-451+ (for about $450), which seems quite similar, but I don't have experience with QNAP devices.
Any reason to look at other options for my needs? I'm looking for something that "just works" with minimal fuss once its setup...
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - TheTominator - 05-15-2018
I found that my Synology DS416 "just works" and has been working well for quite a long time.
Mine is used primarily as a UPNP/DLNS server.
I've also configured the NAS as a web server with PHP for one or two visitors (my neighbors) every once in a while. We share the same lame ISP. The web page lets them know if my Internet connection is also down.
One thing you might research is the volume size limit for that model. My DS416 has a volume size limit of 16TB. Other models have a higher limit. I currently have 3 drives (6 TB, 8TB, 8TB) configured as a Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR). If I simply add another 8TB drive, I'll go over that volume limit if I tell it to simply expand the current volume. I'll need to create a new volume.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - Acer - 05-15-2018
I have a Synology at work and a Q-Nap at home, their consumer-grade 2-disk models. In my experience there has been no significant difference. Both have been rock solid.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - jdc - 05-16-2018
How much storage? You already have drives? Need to factor that cost?
Is this a wireless network, or wired?
Ive never been a "believer" in NAS storage, Ive read to many comlaints about them being slow as molassas. Ive always just run a large drive off of the back of whatever mac I choose and use that drive as a shared drive for everyone. Always been flawless and very fast.
WD 16TB could drive was $440 a couple of weeks ago... maybe on sale again?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1378914-REG/wd_wdbmut0160jwt_nesn_16tb_my_cloud_home.html
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - clay - 05-16-2018
I should already have all the drives I need. I think it is about 6TB of data. I currently backup to several drives directly - one for Time Machine, and then another Carbon Copy Cloner clones of all my main mounted drives.
The reason for a move like this is really two-fold. One, because the noise of drives is loud enough that it interferes with some of my projects (audio recording/mixing). Tucking away the spinny drives in a NAS in the closet right next door will address this. Because the closet is also my network closet, it has a direct line to my network, which is gigabit.
The second reason is about giving the other computers in our house an always-on way to access video content (ripped DVDs, primarily), family photos, and network based Time Machine backups.
I used some NAS devices maybe 8-10 years ago, and yes, they were quite slow. But I think they've advanced enough that network speed/device speed is no longer much of an issue for this sort of thing. I installed a 2 bay Synology device for a client last year, and it handles a bunch of stuff quite well. I'm thinking it's probably worth the $$ in this case to address all these issues in one swoop. I'd love to do something like a Raspberry PI with an external drive as a NAS, but I don't want to have to mess with the command line to get it up and running. Sounds like a pain for someone who isn't command-line/linux savvy.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - jdc - 05-16-2018
6 TB seems small.
Am I wrong in assuming that audio needs a lot of bandwidth?
Id probably use 2.5" drives, since they have no fan. 5 TB portables are $130?
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - clay - 05-16-2018
The fans aren't the issue (don't have any drives with fans on the desk currently), it's the noise of the read heads on the drive and platters spinning.
When you've engineered all the "noise" out of a space, even something that doesn't make a ton of noise (like a spinning drive) is annoying and makes a difference. "Is that white noise from my drive, or is it ambient noise in that recording that I'm mixing?"
I will have a "local" SSD hooked up via USB, as my main "working" storage. The work stuff on the NAS would be for non-active projects or stuff that isn't accessed as often. The local SSD is for the active projects. Audio itself isn't much of a resource hog. It's when I add a handful of effect plugins and a noise reduction plugin that I need the fastest access I can get.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - macphanatic - 05-16-2018
No issues with my Synology 1815+. It's quite and speed seems to be decent. I use several of the Synology apps that are available for free. I off load torrent downloads to it.
I love their Surveillance Station software that allows you to monitor and record ip cameras. Each NAS comes with licenses for 2 cameras. If you don't want to use it, you can usually sell each camera license for $45-550 bucks - (if you do, I'd buy one or two from you).
Another great feature is all the iOS apps that Synology offers. I back my photos up to it. You can set it up to access dropbox and other similar services. It supports WebDav, email hosting and backup. You can also set up Time Machine to work with it.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - bobinmurphy - 05-17-2018
I have a DS218play and it works great for Time Machine backups, personal cloud and NFS data shares. The only downsides I've seen so far are the "play" versions are ARM based, not Intel based. That limits some of the add-on apps like running virtual systems or installing a more robust Mail Server. I assume the same holds for the DS418 vs the DS418play, so for a small increase in price I'd suggest looking at the DS418 and staying away from the lower priced DS418play.
Re: Looking at a Synology DS418play for network storage/backup - any other solutions I should consider? - clay - 05-17-2018
bobinmurphy wrote:
I have a DS218play and it works great for Time Machine backups, personal cloud and NFS data shares. The only downsides I've seen so far are the "play" versions are ARM based, not Intel based. That limits some of the add-on apps like running virtual systems or installing a more robust Mail Server. I assume the same holds for the DS418 vs the DS418play, so for a small increase in price I'd suggest looking at the DS418 and staying away from the lower priced DS418play.
hmmm...for the 418 line, anyway, the "play" variant is the one with the Intel, and is higher priced than the regular 418+. I don't think that will be a huge deal for me either way, but nice to have the Intel in case my needs ever changed.