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RN 204 - New user previously owned/used device
So purchased this 4 bay model, new to NAS completely to then find seemingly nothing available now for it. Managed to get and install Plex Media Server by googling but, is there any other software available for it anywhere?
Had no software install discs, just the device and 4 x 1tb drives and the power cable.
Presuming just wasted my cash and beyond using it as storage device via network (usb too, or does that require some software to connect direct and use it just as storage)?
Would have liked to get some kind of cctv setup for it as well as use for other purposes
Into photography so any good storage management beyond using Plex (installed mainly for music and perhaps movies) would be useful.
As to any help advice in regards if it is of any use as a device still.
No install disk is needed. All it contains is RAIDar, which you can download and is just a tool for easy access, a (now outdated) electronic version of the manuals, and maybe the client-side ReadyCloud, which is no longer supported. Your RN204 is one of the most underpowered ReadyNAS in terms of CPU and RAM, and using it for surveillance (which is also no longer supported for new users) was not really a very good idea even when it was supported. It's also not going to allow you to do transcoding via Plex. You will be much better off getting a dedicated micro-PC for any apps (both in terms of computing power and application choice) and then using the NAS as storage for them. For surveillance, I recommend Blue Iris, then set your NAS up as the backup location.
I'm not sure why you say you wasted your money beyond using it as network storage, as that's what it's designed to be. You cannot connect it to a PC via USB -- the USB is for backup drives and UPS monitoring.
But Netgear clearly is exiting the NAS market and we in the forum are not expecting anything major in the way of OS updates from here out. So, you may want to look for a NAS from a manufacturer who is staying in the market instead of learning to use a NAS that's already end-of-life per the manufacturer.
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No install disk is needed. All it contains is RAIDar, which you can download and is just a tool for easy access, a (now outdated) electronic version of the manuals, and maybe the client-side ReadyCloud, which is no longer supported. Your RN204 is one of the most underpowered ReadyNAS in terms of CPU and RAM, and using it for surveillance (which is also no longer supported for new users) was not really a very good idea even when it was supported. It's also not going to allow you to do transcoding via Plex. You will be much better off getting a dedicated micro-PC for any apps (both in terms of computing power and application choice) and then using the NAS as storage for them. For surveillance, I recommend Blue Iris, then set your NAS up as the backup location.
I'm not sure why you say you wasted your money beyond using it as network storage, as that's what it's designed to be. You cannot connect it to a PC via USB -- the USB is for backup drives and UPS monitoring.
But Netgear clearly is exiting the NAS market and we in the forum are not expecting anything major in the way of OS updates from here out. So, you may want to look for a NAS from a manufacturer who is staying in the market instead of learning to use a NAS that's already end-of-life per the manufacturer.
Sandshark wrote:
It's also not going to allow you to do transcoding via Plex.
I have an RN202 (just used for backup now), and found the performance was quite similar to the RN300 series, and better than the Ultras.
It can transcode one 1080p steam to 720p or SD. It might stutter occasionally with 720p, but I found it was watchable. File transfer speeds will saturate a gigabit ethernet connnection
Sandshark wrote:
You will be much better off getting a dedicated micro-PC for any apps (both in terms of computing power and application choice) and then using the NAS as storage for them. For surveillance, I recommend Blue Iris, then set your NAS up as the backup location.
ctxuk: Definitely agree here, and think that is the case with any ReadyNAS model. None have a GPU, and CPU performance is below current standards on all of them. Another factor is the Debian 8 ("Jessie") OS, which is now deprecated. That limits your options for applications, as many can't be installed on the old OS.
As Sandshark points out, a NAS provides "Network Attached Storage". If that isn't what you were looking for, then you probably did buy the wrong thing. I use mine for consolidation of my files (everything is saved on the NAS instead of on various PCs), and as a repository for PC backups. While I could run plex or some other apps on my RN526, I run them on an always-on PC instead. I'd do that with any NAS, as I think it is more flexible.
Again, another appreciated answer StephenB.
"Another factor is the Debian 8 ("Jessie") OS, which is now deprecated. That limits your options for applications, as many can't be installed on the old OS."
Exactly what is being discovered by myself now.!
"a NAS provides "Network Attached Storage". If that isn't what you were looking for, then you probably did buy the wrong thing."
Think in some ways yes and others no. Was aware it's storage use but the screens showing lots of apps led myself to thinking it could do much more, such as the Surveillance system use (now debunked).
At a point where am looking at what it can do as well as just storage because of the app features and trying to make the most out of my purchase. Feel it would be dishonest to sell it on to some person who like myself was expecting a supported working system even if not the latest from a manufacturer.
Part of my expectations on what it is able to do is based on the home screen folders - Music, Pictures, Videos and Documents coupled with apps and streaming. It does connect to my LG Plasma to play music through (in turn to my HiFi (giving away my age with that name perhaps) and suspect it could do photo's also in a slideshow with Plex but yes, just a database and storage, not really apps it seems sadly.
Some of the expectation errors my own, some the deprecated nature of it and some Netgear pages scanned far too quickly. Oh well, c'est la vie!
"Netgear clearly is exiting the NAS market and we in the forum are not expecting anything major in the way of OS updates from here out. So, you may want to look for a NAS from a manufacturer who is staying in the market instead of learning to use a NAS that's already end-of-life per the manufacturer."
Sandshark - Thank you for the honest straightforward comment here, wish that was known to myself before purchasing it.
Your answers whilst not what was wanting to hear is extremely appreciated.
As stated know very little about NAS at all and of that little it seemed Netgear one of the better companies from googling, perhaps my google was too limited as until you stated it knew nothing of them ceasing the products.
My first issue on receiving the product which is good condition but used was no setup instructs or discs so concentrated on getting it up and running which was not easy without ReadyCloud and no knowledge at all beyond my general computer use.
Had no idea at all what any included discs with the system new would contain.
It is up and running, and now the discs stay connected in raid 5 array in X-Raid while at first powering off meant having to redo the array as disc 4 was dropping out, now turning power off and then powering back on next day means it stays functional.
You already taught something to myself with the comments in regards to the USB port use although the UPS monitoring will have to be looked up, had thought would be possible to upload via usb to the router files (or is that download?)
The lack of surveillance part is frankly annoying, again, should have investigated further.
Apart from Plex Media Server the only thing managed to install so far from apps on Netgear pages is SMBplus 1.08 which then removed again as think it is not required.
Unable find anything else that installs.
Have duplicated my music from my PC though which in itself takes up almost a 1tb drive and glad to have the backup that doing so means.
A Qnap 259pro+ was also purchased used, but that is only a double bay not the 4 bay of this netgear one. It had no drives so not really done anything with it.
I realize I mixed up the 104 and 204. The 204 is more capable.
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