Storage Help (NAS+Media Streaming+RAID+Automatic Backup)

Aloise wrote:

1. Which would be the best way to connect my BACKUP NAS? a) By also connecting it to the router via GBit Ethernet port (DATA NAS----GBit/Eth-----Router-----GBit/Eth-----BACKUP NAS) b) Wirelessly (is it possible? Latency would be probably an issue...) c) Directly to the DATA NAS via GBit Ethernet port using crossed cable? (Router------GBit/Eth------DATA NAS-----GBit/Eth X------BACKUP NAS) d) Directly to the DATA NAS via eSATA port? (Router------GBit/Eth------DATA NAS-----eSATA------BACKUP NAS) e) None of the above... :(

A.

Aloise wrote:
2. If I choose RAID6 for DATA NAS with 4x4Tb HDDs, in the future, is it possible to install a 5th or 6th HDD on the fly... so that RAID6 automatically rebuilds the array now adding 2 new disks and also without the need to connect a BACKUP NAS to manouevre data on the rebuilding process?

Yes.

Aloise wrote:
3. How complicated (or easy, depending on your point of view) is it to configure RAID6 (DATA NAS) and JBOD (BACKUP NAS)?

In OS4, the RAID6 configuration process requires checking two boxes and clicking OK. Maybe three boxes, actually; I forget.

In OS4, configuring JBOD is very slightly more complicated: After checking a box or two and clicking OK, you have to launch the NAS web interface and click OK there to set the size of each volume.

I assume that OS6 makes the process no more difficult than OS4.

Aloise wrote:
4. If I choose RAID6 for DATA NAS with 4x4TB disks, I would have a total net amount of 8Tb of space. In this case, is it enough to have just 2x4Tb disks (JBOD) on my BACKUP NAS or should I install the exact same physical amount, independently of logical amount (net anount of space)?

2x4TB would be enough to hold a complete copy of all the data on your main NAS. There's no need to install more drives in the backup NAS unless you wanted to store additional data there.

Aloise wrote:
5. In terms of I/O, 4Tb on a single HDD sound for me like "too big" for a fast throughtput/performance. Would it be better to use 3Tb or even 2Tb HDDs instead?

No. The maximum sustained data transfer rate of the ST4000VN000 is 180 megabytes per second. The 3TB version of that drive also does 180MB/s, and the 2TB version is slower, at 159MB/s. See page 11 of the product manual: http://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/product-content/nas-fam/nas-hdd/en-us/docs/100724684.pdf

Aloise wrote:
6. In addition, how can I map BACKUP NAS (JBOD) to get data from DATA NAS (RAID6). ReadyNAS comes "from factory" with this feature or should I install some software like SyncBack Free?

SyncBack Free is a Windows application designed for backing up PCs; it is inappropriate for the ReadyNAS, which runs Linux.

The ReadyNAS has built-in backup functionality that is almost certainly sufficient for your needs.

Aloise wrote:
7. I surely won't be using RAID on my BACKUP NAS. JBOD sound like the way to go, but are there any other reliable options or JBOD is really the best pick?

Your choices are a) RAID or b) JBOD. If you surely won't be using RAID, your only option is JBOD.