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Forum Discussion
ReadyNAS Ultra 2 as Media Server
Hello, I have to admit, that I'm not really a veteran on these matters, but I want to learn. The idea is to have a NAS that I can use as media server. It needs to be fast enough to not cause pro...
I'm currently using my Ultra 4 (not Ultra 4+) in conjunction with XBMC. This serves as my media centre setup. I have a MySQL Db hosted on the NAS alongside all my media, and am now serving the lot over the house using Powerline AV200 units. It works VERY well. If I were in your shoes, I'd buy the 4 required drives as a single job lot NOW. Even if you don't need the space right now.
This way you'll avoid any future price hikes, discontinuation of the model you are using, the drives will all be using the same firmware, and you won't have any worries about future expansion plans working (or not) as the case may be. And as others have said, get the WD Red's. They weren't available when I put this system together, but were I doing the same thing again now, WD Reds are what I'd go with. Seagate have had a bit of a rocky ride of late with reliability and firmware issues, but the 2x WD drives I do own, have been stellar, so I see no reason why the Reds shouldn't be the same.
EDIT: With regards Fan noise from the NAS, I've heard various people say that their NAS is noisy. I know the fans used in these things aren't made by a notable manufacturer, but I've yet to see an aftermarket fan that does the RPM's the ones installed in the NAS can do either. Yet while at boot time, it's loud, it's running at max speed until the OS loads and the system can adjust the speed. Once that happens i can only just about hear it in a dead silent room, stood right next to it. You may get a good one, you may get a poor one. The one I have is nowhere near as noisy as my desktop powerhouse (8x90-120mm fans incl. PSU).
Best of luck m8.
This way you'll avoid any future price hikes, discontinuation of the model you are using, the drives will all be using the same firmware, and you won't have any worries about future expansion plans working (or not) as the case may be. And as others have said, get the WD Red's. They weren't available when I put this system together, but were I doing the same thing again now, WD Reds are what I'd go with. Seagate have had a bit of a rocky ride of late with reliability and firmware issues, but the 2x WD drives I do own, have been stellar, so I see no reason why the Reds shouldn't be the same.
EDIT: With regards Fan noise from the NAS, I've heard various people say that their NAS is noisy. I know the fans used in these things aren't made by a notable manufacturer, but I've yet to see an aftermarket fan that does the RPM's the ones installed in the NAS can do either. Yet while at boot time, it's loud, it's running at max speed until the OS loads and the system can adjust the speed. Once that happens i can only just about hear it in a dead silent room, stood right next to it. You may get a good one, you may get a poor one. The one I have is nowhere near as noisy as my desktop powerhouse (8x90-120mm fans incl. PSU).
Best of luck m8.
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