hi peeps

Sorry for the basic questions about old stuff.

I have 4 Netgear ReadyNAS 104, two configured with 4x3GB (8TB each) drives and one with 4x8GB (21TB) drives and a spare empty chassis. I know these are obsolete but I like 'em and they've suited my needs. They are slow and full and so I'd like to add more storage as well as maybe ensure I have my most important data duplicated.

I am wondering what to do. Budget is limited to about £1500 and I'd want to get as many TB storage for that money as possible. I don't actually need web access as such - not beyond my local network. I only use SMB for files and HTTP to access management pages. I just use them to store data - no streaming or anything fancy and I usually only access them when I want to back up stuff I've been keeping on my PC.
 
I could buy 4x16TB drives and put those in my spare RN104 - Netgear says they will work. That would be the cheapest option. Disadvantage is it would take forever to build the RAID and once built access would be slow. There is USB3 port and a spare ethernet ports which I don't think they can speed it up but if anyone knows different please tell me how. I'm concerned there will be no more security updates and while I don't think I'm at risk but please tell me otherwise.

I could look for a used QNAP or Synology box or some other NAS. These are probably overkill for my needs. I understand (thanks to the youtube vids) that most use the latest OS cos I'm a little concerned these big brands have been targeted by ransonwear. I've watched some vids but most are focused on stuff I'll never use.

I could look for a DAS box, I'd rather have something with RAID onboard though which limits my choices. That brings me back to the newer NAS boxes and that's gonna cost money I'd rather save for hdds.

Which should I go for? Questions and suggestions welcome

Bought a r630 which only had 2.5inch drives. Was advised to build a nas instead. Looking to have a media server (jellyfin and arr suite), store photos (immich), host docs (next cloud).

Need help for mobo+cpu with a bit more power. Using aliexpress for majority of the parts. Will be using a node 804 as that costs the same as a jonsbo.

Considering serverpartdeals for the HDD.

Hi Robbie and Eddie,

First, thank you for the comparison chart for CMR/SMR. It really helped me narrow down my HDD-related inquiry regarding which models use SMR and which use CMR.
I noticed that on your page, you state the following:

Quote:Which WD Black drives are CMR?
All drives are CMR except for the 1TB model in the 2.5-inch range.

I usually buy Synology / Qnap from Broad Band Buyer or Ebuyer. I don't really like Amazon.
Is there any large retailer that stocks Asustor? It has a few features I would like to try in particular a nextcloud app and the option to install 3rd party NAS like Unraid and TrueNAS

I'm based in UK, England. I should have said.

i wana use gpu too in that case i am new and want connect from phone when neded too

Hi, I hope you can help! I’ve read several threads multiple times but I still can’t decide which is best.

I have a catalog of photos (>4TB worth if I can remember) across 2 external HDDs which I’d like to move to a NAS. Reason being, is easy access to go back and edit older photos when I like, and in the future, move family photos, phone photos and anything else to it in the future. I’m always in to my photography and want a better solution to store them. I’m not too worried about Synology photos but if it is recommended I’d happily look into it. I would look to re-use the HDDs to backup the NAS and keep one offsite.

At home I have FTTP (UK) which is the 1Gbps package (usually 800 down and 150 up). It would be nice to point my Lightroom to look at the NAS and directly edit the photos stored on there. I’m not worried about anything like PLEX. Just photo storage, and access from phone if required. I can’t decide between 423 vs 923 - About £100 difference on the used market.

My 251+ has died, can i use the drives in a 262

""Only Features Microsoft Co-Pilot out the box – Hard/impossible to easily switch to ChatGPT or DeepSeek etc"" - - this statement that using Grok 3, or Deepseek R1, CHATgpt 4o, is hard to impossible is very concerning IF TRUE - IS THIS TRUE? Does this system support non-proprietary AI programs? Thank you.

Hi, I've just seen your video on remote access to the Asustor nas. Having little network knowledge I would like to have the help of a professional on the subject to configure it.

It's mainly to add as storage my nas on my phone (Fold 6) and use the native gallery as a photo library.

But depending on the level of security, I could also use it for my business.

Is videoconferencing possible? If so, when and at what cost?

Thanks in advance,
Oussama

Hi! I love watching the youtube channel!

I am looking for an affordable entry level NAS I can use for family photos, business documents, and some docker containers for things like immich and vaultwarden. I like the idea of a small NVME NAS like the GMKTec NucBox G9. Reason: I'd like to have a small 8u server rack similar to what Jeff Geerling and other youtubers have been setting up.

I would like to run TruesNAS or OMV. I also care about hardware the will be stable for a long while.