Bought additional NAS

[Demon Cleaner]

So I got the idea this morning that I could use another network storage solution, wanted to upgrade my Synology 2413+ but that's quite expensive. I use it with 12x4TB HDDs, which were at that time the biggest HDDs available. I use Raid6, so losing 2 of them, but I'm still only at 70% basically because I'm constantly deleting stuff and managing free space.

First idea, for some time already, was to change the HDDs to 8TB ones, but considering the costs of 8TB HDDs it would become very expensive, they're still at almost 250€/HDD, which means I would have to spend around 3000€ for the upgrade. And as it's running just fine I thought to just leave it how it is.

At the moment I'm using an enclosure as JBOD solution with 2x16TB HDDs, one for LaunchBox backup and one for important Synology 2413+ backups. I thought it might be interesting to use it in a network.

So I bought another Synology, the 920+, a 4 bay NAS. Wanted to go with the 420+, but the 920+ is quad core and comes already with 4GB of RAM, and it's only 50€ more expensive and I bought an additional 4GB RAM expansion to upgrade it straight away to 8GB.

I also bought 2 more of those 16TB HDDs and the idea is to put all 4 of them together in a NAS and run it in a Raid5 environment, so I can have a more secure backup plus obviously extra space. This will be at the cost of not even half the price compared to upgrading my 2413+ with 8TB HDDs.

In case you ask why I bought Synology and not Qnap, I already have one, which I'm very happy with (had Qnap before), and I might be able to integrate them easier into one network.

[Harrison]

I used to be a fan of Qnap, but Synology is better, especially in the interface and support and abilities in terms of built in support and additional apps available.

Are you going to take advantage of the 2 M.2 SSD slots in the 920+? I've been considering buying a new NAS for sing time and this one is a good spec for the price, so in very interested in how you get on with it as I might buy one myself.

[Demon Cleaner]

I was considering the M.2 SSD slots options, but I read a really in depth article about it and in my case it's not really needed. The LAN File transfer, which I use most is f.ex. not faster at all.

Here's the test: https://www.digitec.ch/de/page/der-ssd-cache-test-wie-viel-schneller-wird-mein-synology-dank-wd-blue-17912

It's in German but I guess you will understand the charts.

[Harrison]

Can the M2s be used just as a cache buffer?

I can understand some German. Will take a look.

[Kin Hell]

Just use Google Translate if you're using Chrome.

Very interesting read DC.

Still using a QNAP TS412 here & considering building a sever to replace it from my old Z77 Rig.

I'd also agree from what I've read that Synology are now ahead of QNAP. - I'd rather not waste time & money trying a Synology when transfer rates on Gigabit to a server will be infinitely faster. - I just simply hate the laggy feel to Linux on the TS412. Doing anything on it is like waiting for paint to dry & the transfer rates to the drives in the QNAP are pathetic. :dry:

[Harrison]

That was an issue with some older Qnap NASs though. Overall speed can also be down to slower CPU or less ram.

Why would transfer speeds over Gigabit to a full server be any different to a NAS? It's purely reliant on the hardware and drive speeds, plus the OS and disk formats used Some new NAS's even support 10Gbit network speeds now. Plus if running on Linux can take advantage of EXT4.

The disadvantage of using a full system over a NAS is power consumption and OS overloads. Plus a NAS Linux build is streamlined to only need the parts required for the build, so no clutter or bloat.

[Kin Hell]

Clutter & bloat.....

As Clarkson has said, ....many times....

More Power! :shades:

[Harrison]

Power is not always the answer. Clarkson! :lol:

[J T]

1265

Wicked

[Demon Cleaner]

Btw, what's your opinion on NAS configuration. I wanted to use it in Raid5, which is obvious with 4 HDDs, although loosing 16TB is quite a lot.

As I just had 2 of the 16TB purely as a backup in an Icy Box enclosure, my initial thought was to get an enclosure which I could also use on a network. But it's purpose will stay the same, acting as backup, as data graveyard.

What if I just configure it as a JBOD, would that make sense or would you disagree by all means?

[Harrison]

Just as a backup JBOD would be ok. You are not using it for file access, just for backup, so access speed is irrelevant other then backing up and restoring if needed.

As for Raid configuration. For 4 drives Raid 5. For more drives Raid 6. 5 is a lot faster to rebuild.

[Demon Cleaner]

Got it this morning and set it up as JBOD, created one volume per disk, so 4 different volumes. I mapped 2 of them so I can sync them fast when needed.

The only downside of my whole operation is that I now bought a 920+ and 2 spare 16TB disks, which are not used at all at the moment and I'm still thinking about a purpose. So would a 2-bay NAS have been enough? Save money on the NAS itself and obviously the 2 extra disks.

Main reason was to integrate it in my network, otherwise I would still have used my IcyBox, but I wanted to get rid of that. But thinking now that I have a huge amount of free space and no "real" usage. But I guess having more is always better than not having enough. At least now I can keep some files again instead of constantly managing what to delete and what to keep.

EDIT: Currently copying files over to it, from internal PC HDD to NAS, and with big files it reaches up to 120MB/s.

Also mapped a 3rd HDD now, so I now have one for LaunchBox backup, one for Synology backup (my retro stuff, quite big) and one for PC Games backup.

[Harrison]

I really need to upgrade my storage and simplify it. I still have a lot of mine on my home server which has 6 network shared drives, with mirrored copies on other drives. Really I don't want the full computer based server needed to be up and running all of the time. In an ideal world just have a NAS serving the home network 24/7. A Synology NAS can easily do that and save me a lot of electricity costs over time, plus reduce system noise.

[Demon Cleaner]

And the problems started yesterday evening. All of a sudden disk 2 showed "pool missing" and since then I still didn't find a solution. That disk had been running in my IcyBox just fine, so I highly doubt it's the disk. The NAS just detects it, but you're unable to do anything with it. No repair, no assemble, no SMART test, no creating volume, well you get the idea.

This is now very annoying, especially if you don't know exactly why this happens, been googling like crazy. The only thing I know is that my disks, all EXOS X16 are not on compatibility list of the NAS, but I also doubt that's the issue, because the other 3 are still running.

I think I will take the disk out, put it back in the IcyBox to check if there's any problems, reformat it and put it back into the NAS.

EDIT: Ooook. The disk makes very strange sounds in the IcyBox now and is not even recognized.

EDIT 2: And I sent it back to the shop already, good thing that this was the spare disk :D

[Harrison]

Is that Seagate? Used to be a fan of their drive many years ago, but wouldn't buy them now. Buy them we have far less makes of traditional mechanical drives to choose from these days. WD, Samsung and Toshiba the only others I can think of. I tend to buy Samsung.

Hope they replace the drive for you.

[Demon Cleaner]

It is Seagate. The reason I bought 2 more is that I wanted to have exactly the same drives as I had already 2.

I only noticed that on the bill it says the serial numbers, but the disk that broke was one I previously ordered, although less than 2 years ago, so the guarantee is still valid. And I think it was also ordered from them, at least on of the 2 I had, as I bought one when I ordered my new PC. But if they check it, which they probably do, they will see that it's not one of the disks I just ordered and probably won't replace it :dry:

Otherwise I never had problems with the shop when returning stuff, but if the problem is like I mentioned, then I will eventually send it back to Seagate, they would replace the disk, as I said, still under guarantee.

[Kin Hell]

I run 4 x 4TB drives in my NAS box.

2 of them are RAID1 using WD Red Pro's & the other two are single IronWolf drives full of Movies.

All important files are on the Mirror. - The other two can be re-downloaded.

Since owning the NAS, I've lost 4 x 3TB Seagate Barracuda's which came with it, yet I still have a 2TB Barracuda that is around 12 years old. - I just retired this moving to Z690 & all Solid State storage entirely.

I've also lost a couple of WD Red's during my time with the QNAP.... Go figure.

The reason I'm considering building a server is I don't need it on all the time. I have 10TB of storage in the networked Dune HD Max Vision 4K (https://www.dune-hd.com/products/dune-hd-max-vision-4k)

There is a 4TB WD Red in the rear screwed in & a 6TB WD Red in the front hot-swap slot. It's dead easy to flip it out & shove it into my main PC which has a hot-swap box in the 5.25 Drive bays. It's nice to see average speeds of 115M/sec instead of 30 something on a Gigabit network.
I am concerned at how warm the hard drive is when pulling it from the Dune player. After writing several 4K Movies to the 6TB drive & then pulling it for return to the Dune, it's infinitely cooler.
Time will tell I guess....:eyebrow:

[Demon Cleaner]

I had some Dune players before, always liked them. Then I used Mede8er boxes which were also fine and in the end nVidia Shield(s), which in my opinion is the best solution.

But now with my new LG TV I'm just using the apps on the TV, need 1 single remote control for everything, also for the receiver through eARC and I don't need external media boxes anymore.

[Harrison]

This is exactly the same for me. TVs have finally become powerful enough that you only need the apps they provide. And like most devices it comes down to which TV OS UI you like as actual TV panels are very similar in daily use between makers. Personally I like the Philips UI the most for TV apps, which is the make of my main 65" TV, but also quite like the bar style interface of Samsung.

But I do also have a Sky box connected to every TV to get live TV. I wish Sky would make a Sky Go app that could be installed to any smart TV so I can access 4K Sky on any without a satellite dish. At the moment you can only watch Sky in 4K on the one TV with the main Sky Q box. That's really limiting these days.

I don't really stream any films and series over my network anymore either. Just stream them from whichever service has them. Nearly everything is available these days, but it can be a headache finding which one something is on sometimes.

But I do often tend to access most streaming services via Sky Q, rather then the TV apps, just because I can just use the Sky remote to control everything. The only one I do use thr TV app for all the time is Disney+ because there is a bug in the Sky app that doesn't allow 4K.

But when not using thr main TV I do use the TV apps because the Sky Q mini boxes only support HD.

And yeah, eARC is brilliant. Reduces the cable management and removed the need to switch between inputs. Only issue I have is the Sony Soundbar I use in the living room sometimes likes to refuse to work properly, then you have to get its remote to force it to the right hdmi input or change its sub level. Or sometimes it will just drop sound completely and you have to swutch it off and on again, but it hands for 5 minutes when it does this saying please wait, then starting up. Keep meaning to do a software update on it.

[Kin Hell]

A good friend of mine said get the Shield Pro for a right job, but I stuck to Dune because it's nice to have the DVD & BluRay front ends on movie downloads. Afaik, only the bigger Dune players have this capability.

I have seen Lip sync issues with my HDMI switching though my Yamaha RX-A1070, though powering off & back on again usually sorts it. - Annoying to say the least but hell yeah, spaghetti amount seriously reduced. :shades:

[Demon Cleaner]

I have the Yamaha RX-A870.

[Harrison]

My current main AV receiver is a Sony STR DN1080.

I've stuck with Sony Receivers since I bought my first one in about 2001 and always been happy with them. I will have my previous one as I'm upgraded and repurposed thrm for other uses. My 20 year old one is now used for tetro systems as it has all the old inputs so is ideal. And my one from about 2012 is used with my PCs for easy switching bwtween systems.

But Sony haven't released any new receivers for a couple of years now and my current one is now being discontinued and no longer supports everything. I still haven't bought any atmos speakers though. Need to do that. Keep considering mounting them in the ceiling, but then I would have permanent holes so thinking upfiring instead. Do either of you use atmos speakers? Recommend anything?

[Demon Cleaner]

For speakers I use B&W in a 5.1 setup, sounds great. My subwoofer is also a Yamaha.

I started with Pioneer receivers, then at some point switched to Onkyo, but 2 failed on me, since then I had 2 Yamaha receivers and I'm quite happy with them.

[Harrison]

All my speakers are by the lesser known Swedish make Eltax. I bought them all 20 years ago and they still sound great. Floor standing fronts and forward rear/side. A centre and a pair of BiPolar HT-2 wall mounted rears. The only one that isn't Eltax is the sub, which is a Wharfedale 12" actuve sub.

I just looked on the Eltax site and they have Atmos uoward firing soeakers you place on to of the floorstanding fronts. I might see if Richersounds have this for me to go and test in store.
.

[Demon Cleaner]

Got my replacement drive back today and it's already in, hopefully this one will stay intact :)

[Harrison]

That was quick. So replaced under warranty?

[Kin Hell]

Great result DC. :thumbs:

Seriously off topic really....I run Mordaunt Short speakers....

Mains are MS25i Pearls which are rewired internally with Lynn K20 wire. I needed an 80W soldering iron for that job! - Amazing Depth of sound for the re-wire.
The Centre is an MS T1000, front High effects are MS 05i Pearls. Rear corners are MS Bi-polar Avant 903i's & my retired MS T1000 centre was replaced by a pair of MS Alumni's in Piano black.
Front sub is a REL Storm III & rear Sub is a REL Storm I.
My first AV Amp back in '97 was a Pioneer affair. It lacked in every department so the supplier switched it out for a Yamaha RX350. The difference was huge!
In 2002, I upgraded to a Yamaha AX2 & then to the Yamaha RX-A1070 3 years ago.

Speakers are old but the quality of sound is equally as impressive of the controlled BIG sound. - Mr. T-Rex punches you in the chest when he's on screen! :shades:

& btw H, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Eltax. I had a pair of Bi-Polar Eltax's before the MS 903i's. I did ditch the Eltax centre once I managed to find another MS T1000. It was just too heavy on the Bass for me & you lost the speech dialogue in a furry heavy sort of way.
Iirc, Richer Sounds had a real soft spot for these speakers those 20 years ago. :thumbs:

[Harrison]

Yeah, I got all my Eltax speakers from Richer Sounds about 20 years ago. Get a brilliant deal on them at the time. About £400 off the total price I think. There are improvements in speaker tech since then, but not so much that the ones I own are worth changing.

I do agree Eltax are a bit heavier on the bass than some other makes, but I've always liked that. Can always adjust the balance on the receiver to compensite if needed. To really get a better sound I would need to pay a lot more.

[Demon Cleaner]

That was quick. So replaced under warranty?
Replaced, no questions asked.

[Harrison]

Nice. Good when a company just honours the warranty.

I had a great experience recently with Makita. My lawn mower broke and was only 6 months old. Filled out an online returns form. They collected it 2 days later, and it was returned just over a week after that fully repaired with replacement parts. Works perfectly again.

Having good experiences with customer services and warranty returns always make me want to use them again and buy their products. Even if they have broken. The fact they easily honour a warranty shows they care.