More Nas Talk
I have done some more research into NAS devices and specifically the Drobo/DroboShare and Netgear’s ReadyNas NV+ / Pro. The Pro line is the new product line of NAS systems. Currently they do a 2 and 6 bay version but I think they may introduce a 4 bay version to replace the ReadNas NV+.
Drobo & DroboShare
The Drobo and DroboShare combination as a NAS system looks very limited now. The DroboShare is touted as a very easy to configure device but lacks the power user tweaks and doesn’t allow user authentication or permissions for directory hierarchy. To me this is unacceptable for a NAS. What if “a friend” was round and was using the network? All those documents and data would be exposed to everyone and everything attached. Whilst this may be a small thing because you don’t have a lot of techie friends? round it is the thought of private photos or documents being copied and taken away by someone you don’t want to have it.
For the price of the two hardware combined I would have expected more from it. It is fine if you was using it as an external USB storage device for example attached to a notebook computer. Also Drobo has not been a speedy device. If it runs off a USB 2 interface it will always be limited to the speed of USB rather than the Gigabit ethernet on the DroboShare.
Netgear ReadyNas NV+
The full features of the ReadyNAS NV+ is great but too expensive for the average consumer or student like I am. It would even cost half the pay packet of the month for a post graduate job typically. It has all the features of the Drobo using the X-RAID configuration allowing different sized drives and expand the space available but in RAID 1/5 how long would it take to rebuild? Same goes for the X-RAID? I have learnt the embedded OS in the ReadyNas + is a debian based Linux distro on a SPARC chip. A device using Linux backend you’d think they would allow SSH access at least even if they’re not open armed to the whole FOSS idea. Also the popular rsync and rdiff is not supported. These tools are widely used in *nix environments. Another feature the Drobo supports which the ReadyNas does not is Timemachine on the Mac. It’s not a deal breaker but something for that price it would have been nice to be an all in one solution without the need for a timecapsule or an Airport Express.
ioSafe
ioSafe has made a back box for the ReadyNas. It encapsulates the hardware in a fire and crush proof cashing. The look is not very home friendly but for a business it makes sense.
Conclusion So Far
My search for the perfect NAS continues. I would not consider the Drobo for a NAS system due to the lack of permissions. The Drobo and the DroboShare would come in at a price where if I spent a little extra I would get the ReadyNas NV+ enclosure.
SSH Hack for ReadyNas
ioSafe Website
