What is the best NAS for a 2003 AD domain

I've been looking into this myself in the past week as we are attempting to buy one as well. The best one that isn't so expensive and can store 6 (1TB) disks, and is expandable is the Dell NF500.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pvaul_nf500?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

thanks for responding pzozulka
I can't see us needing to expand in the future since our data is pretty static and should not top out at more than 100GB but I have had so many issues with Dell in the last year that I am really avoiding them. Did you look into the Buffalo brands or the Lacie brands?

Let me tell you what I have run into in the past:

Snap servers are a scaled down version of Unix. The operating system seems to crash about every two years. We have used about 30 of these and rid ourselves of them.

Buffalo terastations are less expensive and operate better in a Windows environment. The newer ones are rack mountable and I had less problems with joining the domain with them than a SNAP server. It still appears UNIX based. That means it might try to take over as the domain master browser.

NetApps are (CHACHING $$$). For that reason, I have stayed away.

Check this OUT:
Home built, are NICE! You can load a full WINDOWS OS on a boot partition. That means it is DOMAIN friendly, and you will have NO problems joining the domain. You will also have no problems with browser elections. It's cheaper than a Buffalo Terrastation, and instead of being interfaced through an internet browser, you can hook up a keyboard, monitor and mouse specifically for it.

Here is the kicker. Since it is Windows based and not scaled-down Unix based, it is fully compatible with Kerberos authentication from the DC and will work with Windows scanning tools and support tools.

A am a FIRM believer a Network Accessible Storage device is best served as a Windows-based custom build (home build).

The best part of a home build using Windows as the default OS:

If you have a problem with the OS, Just format the boot partition and reinstall the OS, rejoin the domain and set up IIS and away you go.

Thanks for the info ChiefIT but what do you mean by a "home built"? I am not familiar with the term. Do you mean to setup a separate windows Pro box and use it as a NAS unit?

Exactly right:

Interesting... never thought of doing it that way. I want to use it to backup the DC's on the network. Any thoughts on the backup software to use?

Thanks ChiefIT. I am going to look into it further and see what I can figure out.

Thanks Again. I like this option and will pursue it further.

As far as backup software:

Backup software that I have had really good luck with is Acronis.

Good luck, and refer back if you need additional assistance.