AMA - Ask Us Anything About ReadyNAS and You Could Win a ReadyNAS 214!

Western Digital RED...

https://kb.netgear.com/20641/ReadyNAS-Hard-Disk-Compatibility-List

You can go to this link, select RN214 in the pull down menu.  You will see a list of compatible HDDs.

For RN214, a 2TB desktop HDD would be good.  Populate all four bays, you will get 8TB total capacity, and around 6TB to 6.5TB effective storage space, derated due to data protection redudancy.

Transcoding is a feature of individual applications, please check the application specs to understand how they handle 4K content.

voodoogts wrote:
I read the spec on the NAS that it has a full 1080p transcoding capability. Can you go over this feature? Will this effect anything if I have large amounts of 4k video content stored on the NAS?

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Different models have different performance on performning render, transcoding, streaming of 1080p video.  Most often, people talk about this feature in the context of running Plex.  If you want to play 4k video, for smooth streaming, I'd recommend a RN524X or above.

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xGurbyx wrote:

Is there any way to have the ReadyCloud Desktop app sync both ways? so far I have only been able to have copies of whatever it's on my computer but if I delete something in my hard drive it doesn't get deleted in the ReadyNAS, that makes me have a bunch of old files that I don't need anymore, I have to delete them twice, in my hard drive and then in the ReadyNAS. I'd love to have that feature, to be able to have an exact copy all the time, is that already a feature? and if not is it somewhere in the plans of coming up things? thanks in advance! :)

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Yes, there is a way to do bi-directional sync.

There are two distinct functions from ReadyCLOUD desktop app.  There is "sync" and there is "backup".  You can create a backup job where all the content in the folder (ReadyCLOUD will create the folder for you on your PC) will be backed up to ReadyNAS.  A different function is sync.  You first tell ReadyCLOUD which folder you want to sync from your ReadyNAS, ReadyCLOUD will create a mirror folder on the PC.  In the future, all material in both folders will be synchronized.   There are sufficient amount of KB articles available on this topic, with step-by-step instruction.

Any ReadyNas with the ReadyPhotos application installed can automatically backup photos on any mobile device with the companion application installed.

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StaticFX wrote:

Forgive my stupidity on this.. I could take this and just plug it into my Nighthawk Router and be able to make picutre backups from my Cell phone anywhere correct?  What other models can this be done with?  I seriously need something like this im always plugging my phone in to make backups of the pics!

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All currently in production ReadyNAS (ReadyNAS OS 6 models) has the accompanied app on iOS and Android that allows you to back up photo from your phone to ReadyNAS.  You have the option to decide if you want to run backup only when you are on WiFi (as oppose to cellualr data network).

Because each Ready NAS has the same OS on it, they all can do replication. This can be done from one Ready NAS to another or from your Smart phone to the Ready NAS.  On you phone just download the Ready Cloud app. and set up Media back up. point it from your phone to your Ready NAS and hit start.   I  was 4000 miles away from my Ready NAS last week and did this exact thing. Worked well.  30 min. to transfer 200 pictures.  Now the only question is how much storage do you need?

The device is great for surveillance. The ability to extend storage enables users to record for longer periods of time and at higher resolutions. The ReadySurveillance application is available through the Apps menu and supports a wide range of cameras that can be found at various retailers. 

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okbrown wrote:

Would using the ReadyNAS 214 be overkill  for use as a video security recorder?

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It really depends on how many camera you plan to use.  I assume that you have calculated the capacity you need to store the video.  Your only variable should be how many cameras, what resolution, what frame rate you want to support.

It is already a rumor that is leaked by Milestone.  ReadyNAS will support Milestone VMS in a few weeks.  Unfortunately, it only runs on RN422 and above.  But the software is fantastic, paired with the ReadyNAS hardware.

Hope that helps.

If anything it might be a little on the light side for video recording from cameras.  It really depends on how many camera's, How large the processor and Ram are in the Ready NAS and how much storage you need for those recordings. Example the RN214 has Marvell quad core processor 1.4 GHz  with 2 gig of Ram.... The 422 (same number of bays but build for this type of thing) has a Intel Atom C338 Dual Core with 2Gig DDR Ram.  This unit would be more compatible with Onvif type cameras and would support our newest software for NVR systems Milestone Arcus.

The ReadyNas devices use an Apache/Debian configuration running a custom OS, simply referred to as OS x.x.

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Kardano wrote:

Is there any model of readyNAS where i can see real life usagediferrence between using 7200rpm HDD drives compare to 5400rpm drives?

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What kind of "useage difference" do you want to see?  Data throughput?  It is hard to compared.  Throughput depends on the CPU, memory, OS, file system, application, etc. etc. All we know is 7200rpm is faster.  But by how much?  The difference depends greatly on the factors I just mentioned, and oh yes, file type, read/write sequencing, etc. etc.

The answer to your question is yes. Readynas devices were among the first to support Plex, but the application was removed from the list during firmware updates. To download the application, please visit the PLEX website.

New ReadyNAS hardware is released that brings different CPUs and RAM, sometimes different NICs, new software releases brings some new features. Except for the RR4360, there isn't any new unit that truly makes a difference, that brings something really new to the product line.

Are you planning on releasing ReadyNAS products that bring new features? Such as a media center version with an HDMI port and something like Kodi embedded. Or a NAS with DAS capabilities, so it can be connected directly to a computer and allow direct storage, which could be useful to a broad range of customers, from the novice to home office and power user.

Is Docker going to be natively supported by ReadyNAS? This is available on most mainstream NASes nowadays and really boosts a NAS capabilities. There are some powerful x86 ReadyNASes but no native virtualization platform to truly take advantage of their CPU.

How about Arlo? Any plan on adding support to store Arlo videos on ReadyNAS?

Will there be a new ReadyNAS OS with a revised interface, possibly with easy and advanced mode (or more control than currently)?

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greenuid wrote:

I would like to know if the ReadyNAS 214 can run as a Plex server for streaming HD movies, and if it can be recommended for that purpose.

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Yes, I would recommend that for that purpose.

But if you think that you want multiple HD streams, or 4k streams, it is probably safer to go with their newer RN420 (422/424/426/428) series.  That is based on a much more powerful CPU (Intel Atom 64-bit processor, vs. 32-bit from ARM.)

Yes, RN526X, 626X are compatible with VMware 6.0.

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Rottenweiler wrote:

Does the 214 run OS6? 

How does an ARM processor compare to Intel models?

Can you use the 10TB drives in this system?

 

Thanks.

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Simply put, Intel processors are 64-bit, ARM processors are 32-bit.  Of course, a modern ARM processor outperforms against a 2004 Intel processor.  So, you do need to look at the architecture, the speed, etc. etc.  But in general, if you are buying a new product from the same vendor, it is safe to assume that a system based on Intel processor is faster than one that is based on ARM.  

In the example of ReadyNAS, you have a quad core ARM in RN212/214.  It is still slower than a dual core Intel in a RN420 (422/424/426/428).

The size of the drive does not have any relevance to the overall performance (tiny bit, almost not noticeable).  It runs the same, slow or fast.  It is the conduit (i.e. interface) between the HDD and the mother board in the ReadyNAS that determines the speed.  Of course, the spec of the motherboard.