Computer thread - How have you got your NAS setup - useful tips

[Crackle]

So after my desktop went chips up and I couldn't get hold of a motherboard for it anymore, well not a good one, I decided to ditch it and promote the laptop. This left me with a conundrum as the desktop was the main backup device too. So I invested in a NAS, a Zyxel nsa325, Synology just being a bit too expensive fro my pocket. Zyxel and 2 1tb drives came to 160. Dabs are flogging the Zyxel on ebay for 83squid, too good a bargain to miss.

So, what to do with it. Obviously I'm transferring files and setting up backups as the obvious one. I've created a few file areas for everyone in the house and have set the media server and itunes server up but what else?

A public shared area for useful file downloads would be one. Remote access another but after that I'm struggling and probably missing some tricks. there must be more I can do, what have you done with yours and how?

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Just music for me. But then again, that's what my job is all about, so...

 

[fossyant]

Backups music and mainly movie streaming for us

 

[Crackle]

Backups music and mainly movie streaming for us

Streaming off the NAS or to it?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I've got a question, what's a NAS?

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Network-attached Storage

 

[Crackle]

Network-attached Storage

Don't encourage him.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Are you thinking of hosting your own website then @Crackle ?

 

[Crackle]

Are you thinking of hosting your own website then @Crackle ?

Nah, I have no need for that but in the past I've burnt discs of files for people that were too big to email, so sticking them on the NAS and providing a link seems a good option. In fact any file.

 

[Davidc]

I have a 2TB Western Digital one. I use a program called Mirror Folder to back up all of my data, and have the same on my wife's computer to do the same (including photos, other graphics, and MP3 and AAC sound files). I also keep images of the partitions with programs and OS, using Acronis. There's plenty of room on the NAS for all of these. I don't keep any video except copies of family stuff though. Sometime in the future (estimate is now 2 years time) I'm going to regret not getting the 3TB one.

I can access the device over the web using WD's system but have rarely done so. Edit: I have done as you suggest and let other people collect files from me over the web.

Because of the web connectivity I have password protection enabled.

The NAS will work with the router dishing out IP addresses as a DHCP server, but after having devices lose it I now run it with a fixed IP (along with the 2 printers which are network accessed - for the same reason)

Overall - this is the best way I've found yet of providing a backup system and server access to all files. The only hassle is when WD decide to update the operating software.

 

[fossyant]

Streaming off the NAS or to it?

Off the NAS to Xbox/tablets etc. Also set up remote access if I need it !

 

[threebikesmcginty]

OK, here's another question then oh wise guru Crax, can you get a NAS thingy that can get stuff off a mac and onto a PC?

 

[Davidc]

[QUOTE 2779849, member: 45"]What's the cheapest way of doing this?[/quote]
Buy an NAS device from a known good manufacturer and use a patch lead to plug it into a real port on your broadband router.

Next cheapest - same but run a long piece of CAT 5 cable to your garage or another part of your house to give a bit of physical protection to your files.

When I bought mine the cheapest retailer was PC World, not an online one.

 

[Crackle]

OK, here's another question then oh wise guru Crax, can you get a NAS thingy that can get stuff off a mac and onto a PC?

Macy stuff is a bit unknown to me but in theory yes. You might need to re-frame the question a bit more specifically. If you mean itunes then most NAS's will work as Itunes media library as well as talking to PC's. I get it a bit iffy on the how for that one though.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Cool, cheers! Which ones?