recommendation for home + home office, confused by options

I can only speak as individual Mac owner of 25 years experience...

First, it depends on your budget. If I had the funds I would choose one the ReadyNAS Ultra series. Why? These have Intel chips, with 1Gb of memory, and presently have more 'add-on' software (such as PLEX) than 'ARM' derived ReadyNAS' such as the Duo.v2 and NV+.v2 (with only 256Mb memory). However, the expectation/anticipation is that such 'add-ons' will be available for the ARM powered devices too.

That is why I took the gamble/risk in buying the NV+.v2 - not to mention the huge price reduction here in the UK (it was too tempting to pass on). A four-bay Ultra is approximately twice the price of an NV+.v2.

I have been impressed with the speed and efficiency of my newly-acquired NV+.v2. I use one of my Mac Mini's as a HTPC - and have streamed uncompressed movies from my ReadyNAS via PLEX on the Mac Mini, and then onto my Yamaha AVR and Panasonic plasma. I have recently bought an AppleTV3, and have found it more practical to use compared to my Mac Mini for movie duties. While the ATV2 can be 'jailbroken' to feature PLEX on board, and the ability to access a NAS device, this has not yet emerged on the AppleTV3. When the AppleTV is eventually jailbroken, it will be a spectacular accessory for any ReadyNAS.

For music, I stream my whole music library from my ReadyNAS NV+.v2 to my Logitech Squeezebox Touch. All ReadyNAS devices are able to download the Logitech Media Server 'add-on' software for managing your music collection. I burn all my music in iTunes and then transfer it to my ReadyNAS.

Transfer all your individual iTunes libraries on different Macs to one music folder on your ReadyNAS, and then choose the albums required for playback.

I also own an iPad and iPhone. Adding iPeng software to my iPad/iPhone facilitates control/playback of my music collection via my Squeezebox and ReadyNAS. This is a brilliant combination.

Also, I have a large iPhoto collection on my Mac. Any ReadyNAS features ReadyNAS Photo's, for sharing your picture collection across the net (with safeguards). I back-up all my photos on my ReadyNAS.

Time Machine: is selectable on the ReadyNAS. You decide the proportion of disk space is reserved for Time Machine duties, On your Mac, you determine the types of files to by backed-up via Time Machine.

I don't expect the price reduction to last forever, as USA members here indicate such a price reduction isn't available there. I intend on buying a couple of WD 2Tb drives from Dabs for my NV+.v2. The problem is, as soon as they appear they sell out before you can blink.

http://www.dabs.com/products/netgear-re ... =nv&src=16
http://www.dabs.com/products/western-di ... red&src=16

That is a superlative reply, and greatly appreciated!

I hadn't realised that there were so many add-ons to the ReadyNAS devices, though that would explain the robust community here :-)

I'm going to buy that VN+ v2, with confidence (just too good a deal).

Thanks, fellow 25-year Mac user! (1st generation Mac, preceded by an Apple ][)

I must caution you not to be too enthusiastic about 'so many add-on's' for the ReadNAS.

Alongside each description for an add-on, it will specify either 'sparc' 'x86' or 'arm'. These relate to the different processor types found in different ReadyNAS'.

You will see that currently there are far more such add-on's for sparc and x86 ReadyNAS'. So, don't get carried away in the belief that all add-on's are available for all ReadyNAS'.

A list of NV+.v2 add-on's can be found here - viewforum.php?f=147.

Even so, this list is incomplete, as items such as Logitech Media Server isn't on this list, which is available here - http://www.mysqueezebox.com/download/

It also worth noting that iTunes Server, available for spark and x86 is yet to make an appearance on the ARM platform (even though the last firmware update for the Duo/NV+.v2 was last May).

However, such factors didn't didn't disuade me from recently buying my NV+.v2.

Again, excellent information.

I originally went looking for a NAS merely to take files off a Mac that was staying awake 24-7 so that it could make these files available to the rest of the machines on the network. Any functionality beyond that is just gravy, and I'm looking forward to exploring what this box is capable of.

Thanks again!

Chas

A critically important point to add...

Not all hard-drives on the market are suitable for ReadyNAS.

If you don't use recommended drives, and something does go wrong for any reason, Netgear are adamant that they will neither offer support nor enter into discussion on such problems.

Be sensible, and only buy drives listed on the official hardware compatibility list - http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20641

Just choose your particular ReadyNAS and choose from those officially sanctioned (and different drives on different ReadyNAS' are recommended).

phew, I really dodged a bullet there!

When I ordered my ReadyNAS, I bought 2 x 3TB Seagate drives. Luckily, they are on the approved list. I need to insure that the firmware is at a certain version, but otherwise, I'm good to go (hmm, how to flash firmware is my next challenge).

Thanks once again, you're a fount of information (if you ever need info on photography and gear, I can reciprocate).

Cheers!

Chas

Don't be concerned with 'flashing' the firmware on the ReadyNAS. When your ReadyNAS arrives it is near plug and play.

Mine automatically updated the Radiator 5.35 software for itself. It will become apparent how to install add-on's one you're in 'Dashboard' (the ReadyNAS interface on your browser).

If you want some bedtime reading meanwhile, you can download the hardware and software manual for the NV+.v2 - http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detai ... umentation

chasg wrote:

phew, I really dodged a bullet there! When I ordered my ReadyNAS, I bought 2 x 3TB Seagate drives. Luckily, they are on the approved list. I need to insure that the firmware is at a certain version, but otherwise, I'm good to go (hmm, how to flash firmware is my next challenge). Thanks once again, you're a fount of information (if you ever need info on photography and gear, I can reciprocate). Cheers! Chas

May i ask what model drives you bought ?

Actually, it was the firmware in the drives that I might have to update (according to the compatibility chart to which you pointed me).

Thanks for the manual! I much prefer to read a digital version.

Cheers!

Chas

spinaltap wrote:

Don't be concerned with 'flashing' the firmware on the ReadyNAS. When your ReadyNAS arrives it is near plug and play. Mine automatically updated the Radiator 5.35 software for itself. It will become apparent how to install add-on's one you're in 'FrontRow' (the ReadyNAS interface on your browser). If you want some bedtime reading meanwhile, you can download the hardware and software manual for the NV+.v2 - http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20683/~/readynas-documentation

Hi Herbieo,

I bought two of these:

Seagate 3TB Barracuda SATA 6GB/s 64MB 7200RPM 3.5" Hard Drive
Quicklinx: 7W95WS00 | Mfr#: ST3000DM001

The Quicklinx number is a DABS catalog number, and the Mfr# is Seagate's (this is the number I used to determine compatibility with my ReadyNAS, using the link that spinaltap gave to me).

Cheers!

Chas

HERBIEO wrote:

chasg wrote: phew, I really dodged a bullet there! When I ordered my ReadyNAS, I bought 2 x 3TB Seagate drives. Luckily, they are on the approved list. I need to insure that the firmware is at a certain version, but otherwise, I'm good to go (hmm, how to flash firmware is my next challenge). Thanks once again, you're a fount of information (if you ever need info on photography and gear, I can reciprocate). Cheers! Chas May i ask what model drives you bought ?