RAID Solution

[xlosltove777]

Over the past few years I've built up a really ugly and messy storage solution. It includes an iMac(160GB) with 500GB Firewire Drive, 160GB USB Drive, 120GB USB Drive, and 80GB USB Drive all attached. Then a MacBook with 500GB, and then an old Windows Machine with 200GB inside of it connected the network. The only thing backed up is the Macbook because my brother was kind enough to let me use his Time Machine backup drive because he had spare room.

So needless to say, I need a better, more compact, more secure solution. The easiest answer to me seems to be Drobo, which I can get for $310 on Amazon after rebate.
But I did also see this solution on Newegg, Sans Digital 8 bay enclosure. I would need to get something to be able to connect the eSata to my iMac, luckily Newegg also has this. Now I sorta feel like the Sans Digital option is more expensive and troublesome, but it is 8 bays, which gives me more options in the future. I'd probably first start with 3 2TB drives in RAID 5. Would anyone know how easy/difficult it is to add additional drives to a setup like this?

This is gonna end up being a big purchase for me so any advice is welcome, even if it's suggesting something completely different, I'd appreciate the help.

 

[nullx86]

Over the past few years I've built up a really ugly and messy storage solution. It includes an iMac(160GB) with 500GB Firewire Drive, 160GB USB Drive, 120GB USB Drive, and 80GB USB Drive all attached. Then a MacBook with 500GB, and then an old Windows Machine with 200GB inside of it connected the network. The only thing backed up is the Macbook because my brother was kind enough to let me use his Time Machine backup drive because he had spare room.

So needless to say, I need a better, more compact, more secure solution. The easiest answer to me seems to be Drobo, which I can get for $310 on Amazon after rebate.
But I did also see this solution on Newegg,

Sans Digital 8 bay enclosure. I would need to get something to be able to connect the eSata to my iMac, luckily Newegg also has

this. Now I sorta feel like the Sans Digital option is more expensive and troublesome, but it is 8 bays, which gives me more options in the future. I'd probably first start with 3 2TB drives in RAID 5. Would anyone know how easy/difficult it is to add additional drives to a setup like this?

This is gonna end up being a big purchase for me so any advice is welcome, even if it's suggesting something completely different, I'd appreciate the help.

MacBook right? Not MBP? If so, get the converter, and something similar. Possibily a drobo? Its about the same price for the small model as that enclosure.

 

[xlosltove777]

Yeah MB not the pro, I didn't think I would need things like the express card slot a year ago and preferred the smaller size. I would still probably hook it permanently to the iMac that is always on the desk, always on, and I can access from home thanks to MobileMe's Back to My Mac. So when I'm at school during the day I can just hook up to the network and access everything.

I first I was put back at the price of Drobo, but I looked around and realized it is actually reasonable. It's just the 4 bay vs 8 bay. Does 4-bay and convenience make up for not having the ability to upgrade as much in the future?

 

[nullx86]

Yeah MB not the pro, I didn't think I would need things like the express card slot a year ago and preferred the smaller size. I would still probably hook it permanently to the iMac that is always on the desk, always on, and I can access from home thanks to MobileMe's Back to My Mac. So when I'm at school during the day I can just hook up to the network and access everything.

I first I feigned at the price of Drobo, but I looked around and realized it is actually reasonable. It's just the 4 bay vs 8 bay. Does 4-bay and convenience make up for not having the ability to upgrade as much in the future?

the 4bay is a pretty good one, I havent seen anyone on any forums with an 8bay, just the 4bay. The 4bay supports up to 16TB, which should be enough for your stuff. I think its a lot better then the thing your looking at, because drobo isnt jbod, like the enclosure. I think drobo does a combo of like RAID1+5? It does beyondRAID, which is better than Raid 5/6. I'd get a drobo.

 

[Tholian]

If you want to use a traditional RAID I would look at Quattro from Buffalo. I have set-up several and find they work well, have good connectivity options, have good workmanship and excellent technical support. But I do have to say the technology in the Drobo looks cool, though I have never used one.

 

[ChrisA]

You are comparing a Drobo with a bare metal box with a power supply inside. It's not a fair comparison. Of course the metal box is cheaper.

Have you loked at performance. I don't know what you are storing. maybe you have a video camera and you are editing? Does all the data need to live on a fast drive or just some of it?

Either way before you jump in and buy something think about how you will do backup. The backup job is not going to be easy or cheap.

I doubt you will be able to get away with just one "box" when you concider backup and performance needs

 

[xlosltove777]

If you want to use a traditional RAID I would look at Quattro from Buffalo.

I'm gonna look up some reviews, from a quick glance it looks like a nice and affordable option.

You are comparing a Drobo with a bare metal box with a power supply inside. It's not a fair comparison. Of course the metal box is cheaper.

Have you loked at performance. I don't know what you are storing. maybe you have a video camera and you are editing? Does all the data need to live on a fast drive or just some of it?

I just need this for safe and organized storage of my iTunes library, speed is not really needed. The little video I handle can be done on my iMac or Macbook and then when Im done stored on whatever solution I choose.
And while I do know that Drobo is more advanced than the Sans Digital solution the Sans digital does have a RAID controller and the sort, so its a bit more than a metal enclosure. I feel like I don't actually need the additional features that Drobo has over a traditional setup, I just feel like it might be simpler to manage.

 

[xlosltove777]

If you want to use a traditional RAID I would look at Quattro from Buffalo.

One question that I didn't find any definitive answer about the Buffalo RAID. Say one drive does die, I can use any 1TB drive that I can get and plop it right in. Or are they as specific as need to match manufacturers and/or model?

Sorry if it seems like a stupid question, I only have an brief knowledge of RAID, no first-hand experience.

 

[JesterJJZ]

And while I do know that Drobo is more advanced than the Sans Digital solution the Sans digital does have a RAID controller and the sort, so its a bit more than a metal enclosure.

Seems like there are some issues with the Sans unit.

Cons: - Ships with a bios (from 2006) that causes me some serious issues. Would lock up the computer within 2-3 minutes. In the first 24 hours I had the thing I don't know if I have ever sworn and screamed so much at my computer in my entire life.
- Ships with a very annoying blue LED fan
- Very slow. It may support 3Gbps SATA but it sure doesn't perform like it. Transferring from one drive within the enclosure to another you will get ~ 50MB/s. Transferring from the enclosure to a drive outside you'll get ~ 70MB/s - 100MB/s. Even with a 5-drive RAID0 it is't any faster than a single drive.
- eSata cables aren't very secure. It would be great if they would lock in to place. Don't even bother with other eSATA cables and they won't work at all.
- Doesn't work with ICH10R, ICH7, Jmicron RAID. You are pretty much stuck with the silly Sil3132-based eSATA card that is provided with it.
Manufacturer Response:Thanks for your comment.

Please contact tech@sansdigital.com for lockup problem. Unless fail drives are used, it should not happen. The unit BIOS is shipped with the latest release. The bottleneck of the performance is on the PCIe controller card. The performance of RAID 5 is ~35MB/s due to the bundled controller card. Since the bundled PCIe controller card is only 1x, the overall performance will max at ~150MB/s. TR8M-B requires support for Port Multiplier so some of the controller does not support the unit. As long as the controller support Port Multiplier, the unit will work. With upgraded controller, you can have ~350MB/s in RAID 5.

I'd do some more research on it.

 

[nanofrog]

You could combine a non PM enclosure such as this one (uses 4x eSATA ports @ 1per drive) attached to a 4x eSATA port card (example) that's Mac Compatible. Please note the 4x cards are 4x lane PCIe, and the this and the enclosure are faster than a PM solution.

Fast and simple.