NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
ReadyNAS Device Compatibility List
ReadyNAS Device Compatibility List can be found here. Edited March 27, 2009.
I like the WDC Reds (I am using 9 WD30EFRX in various ReadyNAS at the moment, plus 1 WD20EFRX and 1 WD60EFRX). I've heard good things about the WDC Red Pro line, but they aren't on the NAS HCL yet, and I'm not sure I need the higher performance anyway.
Seagate VN might be just as good, though I had a run of bad seagates several years ago (multiple models) and decided to switch to WDC at that point.
My general advice is that over the long term you are usually better off going with fewer/larger drives, and leaving slots open for future expansion. Replacing a working drive with a larger one is expensive when you figure the cost per TB gained. A corollary is that when you do replace a drive with a larger one, you generally want to get the biggest new drive you can afford (taking compatibility into account of course).
For instance, going from 3 TB to 4 TB would requires replacing 4 drives at $160 each - costing you $213 per TB gained with RAID (with a 3 TB gain).
Going from 3 TB to 6 TB would require replacing four drives at $260 each, costing about $115 per TB gained (with a 9 TB gain).
If you have an open slot, then inserting a new 4 TB drive would only cost you $160 - $40 per TB gained (a 4 TB gain, assuming at least 2x4TB to start with).
Of course if you have a use for the drives you are replacing, then the economics changes.
Seagate VN might be just as good, though I had a run of bad seagates several years ago (multiple models) and decided to switch to WDC at that point.
My general advice is that over the long term you are usually better off going with fewer/larger drives, and leaving slots open for future expansion. Replacing a working drive with a larger one is expensive when you figure the cost per TB gained. A corollary is that when you do replace a drive with a larger one, you generally want to get the biggest new drive you can afford (taking compatibility into account of course).
For instance, going from 3 TB to 4 TB would requires replacing 4 drives at $160 each - costing you $213 per TB gained with RAID (with a 3 TB gain).
Going from 3 TB to 6 TB would require replacing four drives at $260 each, costing about $115 per TB gained (with a 9 TB gain).
If you have an open slot, then inserting a new 4 TB drive would only cost you $160 - $40 per TB gained (a 4 TB gain, assuming at least 2x4TB to start with).
Of course if you have a use for the drives you are replacing, then the economics changes.
NETGEAR Academy
Boost your skills with the Netgear Academy - Get trained, certified and stay ahead with the latest Netgear technology!
Join Us!
