NAS with Wifi

[powerplant]

I am looking for a NAS that I can connect to using wifi.
Due to placement problems I am interested to have a wifi enabled NAS for backup purposes (time machine compatible). Price is both that important. Preferably for disc bays and Raid capacity is a must. In principle I want a time capsule on steroids.

 

[powerplant]

Does it not exist anymore?

 

[techwarrior]

You could use a RAID enclosure like OWC that connects via USB to a router. Many routers offer Time Machine support (but not all). Using a RAID enclosure enables you to put a 2 or 4 (or more) disk array on your network, with added speed in the case of a 4 disk array using RAID5.

Obviously, Time Capsule and AP Extreme allow you to share USB connected drives for backups, in addition to the built in drives on Time Capsule. Like above, a RAID enclosure attached via USB will do the trick.

Synology has some pretty slick routers that not only support Time Machine for USB connected drives, but can also share over the internet, similar to Apple routers. As Synology is a NAS manufacturer, their routers offer many of the NAS functions on top of a very good wireless router. Synology routers offer USB3 ports (Airport is USB2).

Synology and QNAP offer an array of dedicated NAS that support Time Machine, and can connect to your LAN via Ethernet. Once connected, you can access them from any device that is either connected via Ethernet or WiFi to your LAN. There are other NAS out there, but these two are probably the most preferred NAS providers out there. Some NAS are powerful enough to run Virtual Machines if you need that sort of thing.

I have used a QNAP NAS for a few years, and am considering a Synology RT2600AC router to replace my Time Capsule and QNAP.

 

[chelsel]

You could use a RAID enclosure like OWC

I would STRONGLY advise against OWC. I lost years worth of data on an OWC device due only to a power failure. Their RAID enclosures are a joke. I would look at Netgear (Infrant) or Synology over OWC any day.

 

[celticgrid]

You could use a RAID enclosure like OWC that connects via USB to a router. Many routers offer Time Machine support (but not all). Using a RAID enclosure enables you to put a 2 or 4 (or more) disk array on your network, with added speed in the case of a 4 disk array using RAID5.

Obviously, Time Capsule and AP Extreme allow you to share USB connected drives for backups, in addition to the built in drives on Time Capsule. Like above, a RAID enclosure attached via USB will do the trick.

Synology has some pretty slick routers that not only support Time Machine for USB connected drives, but can also share over the internet, similar to Apple routers. As Synology is a NAS manufacturer, their routers offer many of the NAS functions on top of a very good wireless router. Synology routers offer USB3 ports (Airport is USB2).

Synology and QNAP offer an array of dedicated NAS that support Time Machine, and can connect to your LAN via Ethernet. Once connected, you can access them from any device that is either connected via Ethernet or WiFi to your LAN. There are other NAS out there, but these two are probably the most preferred NAS providers out there. Some NAS are powerful enough to run Virtual Machines if you need that sort of thing.

I have used a QNAP NAS for a few years, and am considering a Synology RT2600AC router to replace my Time Capsule and QNAP.

Another vote for Synology. I have a couple of their NAS units, one connected by ethernet and the other uses a small USB wifi adapter to enable it to hide away in a dark corner. The OP asked about wifi and cost specifically so should note that a USB wifi adapter is a simple, cost-effective solution.

And I'd also offer support for the Synology router. I have the RT2600AC and am impressed with it.

 

[campyguy]

And another vote for Synology NAS units. AFAIK they discontinued their "Air" units a few years ago and went all in with dongle support that's managed via their OS's control panel, I've got a couple in my home office, both stashed in a locked cabinet.

They've set up a product page just for USB dongle compatibility - which dongle works with which NAS. I also have a Synology RT2600ac route, which has a slimmer version of their DiskStation Manager. One of my offices has a Thecus NAS with their Windows OS connected via USB, it isn't for the faint of heart...

 

[powerplant]

Super idea with the dongle. I also planned to hide the NAS and don't want to give any the locate with a ethernet cable.

I guess it will be a synologyDS418j with a usb dongle.

thanks

 

[bopajuice]

I would STRONGLY advise against OWC. I lost years worth of data on an OWC device due only to a power failure. Their RAID enclosures are a joke. I would look at Netgear (Infrant) or Synology over OWC any day.

Could you elaborate? I bought a 2 bay OWC raid enclosure and am running RAID 1. Using it as a plex server, and for photo and music storage. Two months running 24/7 so far so good. Id like to know what happened.