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Questions about backup and changing the RAID on my setup
Right now I have the NETGEAR ReadyNAS 516 6-Bay Network Attached Storage Diskless (RN51600-100NAS) and I'm using 3x3TB WD Reds in RAID 5. I use it for storing my media and streaming it via WIFI to my...
I'm not sure why the RAID level makes any difference to the HTPC. RAID should be completely transparent to any devices accessing your data over the network.
The value of RAID redundancy is that is that it keeps your data available through a routine disk replacement. Your backups are what keep your data safe. The 8 TB SMR drives are a cost-effective backup mechanism. There are some cloud backup solutions which are also affordable (CrashPlan being one). You could augment your local backup with one of those services - that might eliminate the nuisance of transporting drives off-site.
If you decide you don't need RAID redundancy, then I suggest jbod (each drive its own volume) instead of RAID-0 (one volume spanning all drives). RAID-0 is fragile (if any drive fails, the entire volume is lost).
If you need a single volume spanning all disks, then I'd go with XRAID single redundancy (either RAID-1 or RAID-5). RAID-6 does offer more protection during disk replacement, but it also reduces the volume size. There's no "right" answer on single/dual redundancy - it boils down to personal preference/risk management.
You're right, the enclosed is actually a little bit cheaper on Amazon than if I were to use the dock. I only have the 3x3TB right now so 8TB will be enough for awhile and I can always buy more.
My last question I guess would be which RAID to choose, if any for my NAS. Having it in a RAID 0 makes things simple for accessing the files from my HTPC and such. Is it possible or even a more prefered solution to not have them setup in a RAID, that way when 1 goes down I just have to fill that 1 HD up with the data that was lost?
I'm not sure why the RAID level makes any difference to the HTPC. RAID should be completely transparent to any devices accessing your data over the network.
The value of RAID redundancy is that is that it keeps your data available through a routine disk replacement. Your backups are what keep your data safe. The 8 TB SMR drives are a cost-effective backup mechanism. There are some cloud backup solutions which are also affordable (CrashPlan being one). You could augment your local backup with one of those services - that might eliminate the nuisance of transporting drives off-site.
If you decide you don't need RAID redundancy, then I suggest jbod (each drive its own volume) instead of RAID-0 (one volume spanning all drives). RAID-0 is fragile (if any drive fails, the entire volume is lost).
If you need a single volume spanning all disks, then I'd go with XRAID single redundancy (either RAID-1 or RAID-5). RAID-6 does offer more protection during disk replacement, but it also reduces the volume size. There's no "right" answer on single/dual redundancy - it boils down to personal preference/risk management.
JBOD sounds like my best bet. Lets me add on bigger HDs in the future so I don't have to stick with just 3TBs.
Thanks for the replies everyone!
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