NAS or multiple synced USB 3 drives for added storage?
I have a client who is beginning to store more and more data than originally envisioned when I setup their Server (SBS 2008 R2 with 750GB RAID 1).
For added storage, I'm considering 2 options and am interested in opinions as to which might be better in terms of storage, access speed, data safety etc. Detailed responses, with reasoning behind your preference please (ie, don't just say "Go with NAS, it's much better").
I'm only interested in adding storage (no streaming media, blah, blah, blah). Strictly business data storage. File permissions, etc. can be handled by the Server in the case of USB 3 (which will be attached to the Sever).
Option 1:
NAS device (like a Synology DS213) with 2 Western Digital Red 3TB drives configured to RAID1
Option 2:
USB 3.0 Dual Docking Station (like StarTech.com SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Dual Dock), again with 2 Western Digital Red 3TB drives. In lieu of RAID, this setup would use Sibersystems GoodSync software to backup Drive1 to Drive2, syncing and changes and also keeping a version history (so that I could retrieve prior versions of files if needed.). The USB drives would also be able to be backed up offsite via the installed Carbonite software.
It seems like the USB 3.0 setup would offer similar performance to the NAS and would have the advantage of file versioning and offsite backup (note: Carbonite will NOT backup a NAS - it only will backup a USB drive attached to the Server).
However, I've not worked with any NAS devices yet, so I'm looking for the advice of those who have used either, or both, solutions as described above.
Thanks for any and all input!
For added storage, I'm considering 2 options and am interested in opinions as to which might be better in terms of storage, access speed, data safety etc. Detailed responses, with reasoning behind your preference please (ie, don't just say "Go with NAS, it's much better").
I'm only interested in adding storage (no streaming media, blah, blah, blah). Strictly business data storage. File permissions, etc. can be handled by the Server in the case of USB 3 (which will be attached to the Sever).
Option 1:
NAS device (like a Synology DS213) with 2 Western Digital Red 3TB drives configured to RAID1
Option 2:
USB 3.0 Dual Docking Station (like StarTech.com SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Dual Dock), again with 2 Western Digital Red 3TB drives. In lieu of RAID, this setup would use Sibersystems GoodSync software to backup Drive1 to Drive2, syncing and changes and also keeping a version history (so that I could retrieve prior versions of files if needed.). The USB drives would also be able to be backed up offsite via the installed Carbonite software.
It seems like the USB 3.0 setup would offer similar performance to the NAS and would have the advantage of file versioning and offsite backup (note: Carbonite will NOT backup a NAS - it only will backup a USB drive attached to the Server).
However, I've not worked with any NAS devices yet, so I'm looking for the advice of those who have used either, or both, solutions as described above.
Thanks for any and all input!
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dlethe:
I'd hope that the WD Red drives will prove to be fairly reliable but I see your point there.
As for read speeds, I've never noticed an improvement with RAID1, only with RAID10.
I'd hope that the WD Red drives will prove to be fairly reliable but I see your point there.
As for read speeds, I've never noticed an improvement with RAID1, only with RAID10.
Not all controllers do read load balancing. Software RAID on linux-based appliances, and windows do properly do read balancing. Fakeraid like Intel Matrix and BIOS-based RAID controllers do not.
On my windows 7 software RAID1 pc, I see about a 80% improvement on read-centric benchmarks over a non-RAID 1config.
On my windows 7 software RAID1 pc, I see about a 80% improvement on read-centric benchmarks over a non-RAID 1config.
ASKER
Thanks dlethe. I'm not as concerned with performance, more reliability. I see your points about NAS, but I'm still on the fence, because the 2 drive USB 3 solution also offers redundancy (via the syncing software) and it provides the additional offsite backup capability.
As far as the bad block scenario, the syncing software, with it's versioning capability, should provide a pretty robust fallback to an earlier known-good file version if necessary.
Any further thoughts about what the NAS brings to the party that I might not be aware of? As mentioned, I've not worked with a NAS before, so I may not be aware of all its benefits.
As far as the bad block scenario, the syncing software, with it's versioning capability, should provide a pretty robust fallback to an earlier known-good file version if necessary.
Any further thoughts about what the NAS brings to the party that I might not be aware of? As mentioned, I've not worked with a NAS before, so I may not be aware of all its benefits.
Syncing software does not provide nearly as much protection as n-WAY RAID. You tell me, say a block associated with your registry, or a database file that is always open got corrupted.
How would you even get a good backup if you can't read the file, or if the file is always open and changing while the system is running?
How would you even get a good backup if you can't read the file, or if the file is always open and changing while the system is running?
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Thanks all for your comments. Ended up going with a Synology DS213+
Option #2 does NOT protect against an unreadable block, which is an absolute certainty over time.