Storage advice sought

Started by jomni, December 27, 2016, 12:38:48 AM

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jomni

December 27, 2016, 12:38:48 AM Last Edit: December 27, 2016, 07:17:12 AM by jomni
Currently I use external hard drives, Which I buy once every few years. Keeping the most important files in the latest purchase.  I have amassed 3 HDDs and the oldest one is beginning to fail.  It's time to buy again but I'm thinking of other options.

1) Setting up a NAS.  Need to buy the NAS box and two HDD. Setting to RAID1 cloning would be good so that I will only buy a new HDD when one fails but my data is intact with the clone.  Of course when there's no space, I can transfer some to external drives or get a bigger HDD.  Network sharing may come in handy but not necessary.  Downside is price.

2) (dual) HDD docks.  Poor man's RAID1.  I have to manually clone the HDDs (some docks can do it for you).  No network capability.  So I need to stuff files in the HDD via USB and no sharing. Is it too troublesome?  BTW.  I have made some research cheaper NAS solutions comes to about the same price as this setup.

3) Stick with single external drives.  Least expensive, most cumbersome to maintain.

bbmike

#1
December 27, 2016, 08:34:04 AM
I've tried the options you listed and always went back to the external drive method. It's just easier. The other options only introduce more potential problems/hassles, IMO.
"My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplace of existence."
-Sherlock Holmes

"You know, just once I'd like to meet an alien menace that wasn't immune to bullets."
-Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart

"There's a horror movie called Alien? That's really offensive. No wonder everyone keeps invading you!"
-The Doctor

"Before Man goes to the stars he should learn how to live on Earth."
-Clifford D. Simak

Yskonyn

#2
December 27, 2016, 03:29:02 PM
I also use external drives.
They are portable and easy to swap in and out.
"Pilots do not get paid for what they do daily, but they get paid for what they are capable of doing.
However, if pilots would need to do daily what they are capable of doing, nobody would dare to fly anymore."

jomni

#3
December 28, 2016, 03:53:26 AM
Thanks. I'll dabble into NAS just to see if there are real benefits and learn some lessons.

jomni

#4
December 28, 2016, 08:14:53 PM
Update. Setting up my NAS box. It's a bit of a hassle. Had to figure out security, sharing, power saving options since this one will go online. What to do and what not to do (like stuff filed in the Public folder). External hard drives would still be quicker and definitely more private.  I appreciate the added layer do comfort with RAID1. But it does slow things down a bit.  So for very basic users who wants to just store stuff, NAS this is not recommended.

Nefaro

#5
December 28, 2016, 08:27:32 PM
Memo:


Henceforth the term "External Hard Drive" shall be shortened to "Porn Drive" in all conversations to better reflect one of their primary purposes.


Thank You For Your Attention,
Realist Grammar Nazi
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