Advice for network / back up

[MrMJS]

Hello,

I am looking for the best solutions for networking / backing up....

I am currently using macOS Server on a late 2009 27" iMac with i5 processor, 24Gb memory and a new 3Tb WD Black HD. I have a 3Tb external drive attached for Time machine backups. I access this machine with two other iMacs... Basically all files are on the 09 system. The two other iMacs are loaded with Apps only. All other files are stored on the "server".

I am considering switching over to either a DAS or NAS system. I'm looking at Drobo 5n or 5Dt with WD Red drives.

1st.. The solution I am using now works fine, so perhaps I should just leave well enough along and stick with that.

2nd.. If I do change I am leaning towards the NAS 5n.

My real concern is the 2009 iMac, it's getting long in the tooth, but still works fine for what I am using it for.

Thoughts?

 

[satcomer]

Your better NAS device should be a Synology. This way it would be platform that would serve all operating systems. Synolgy also can run many Applications and be almost like a fulll Server!

 

[belvdr]

Your better NAS device should be a Synology. This way it would be platform that would serve all operating systems. Synolgy also can run many Applications and be almost like a fulll Server!

The Drobo 5n also supports all operating systems too.

 

[satcomer]

The Drobo 5n also supports all operating systems too.

Yea but with the Synology NAS it is platform dependent future proofing your network! The Synology NAS will act like a Server with all it's Apps too!

 

[belvdr]

I disagree with the concept of it future proofing your network; it's just another computer system providing services.

EDIT: I also think you mean platform independent.

 

[MrMJS]

What about justing leaving it as is currently is.. option #1 above. Is there an advantage switching to option #2?

1st.. The solution I am using now works fine, so perhaps I should just leave well enough along and stick with that.

 

[Ledgem]

Replying a month late, but the advantage in switching to something like a Drobo 5N is in simplifying your setup, and possibly clearing up some desk space. Redundancy and reducing downtime are other benefits, but you could in theory add those features to your current setup... but it would complicate things even further.

If you decide to go with a Drobo, given your apparent usage, I'd go with the 5N over the 5D/5Dt or 5C. In theory you could use the 5D(t) or 5C and share it, but then you're sort of emulating the same setup you have now, where you're relying on another computer to get at your files. If you favor one of your computers over another and tend to use it more heavily, then you might be able to justify the faster speeds of the 5Dt... but if you'll be accessing it mostly through the network anyway then you're just spending a lot of additional money for nothing.

I admit some bias toward Drobo here: I don't know much about Synology, but I just recently bought a 5C and have been really impressed with it. Everything from the toolless design (the front cover is magnetic - no screws!), the unboxing process, and the simple software remind me a lot of the Apple experience. I've been pleased with the performance of the 5C thus far, although I admit that I'm using it more for archival than heavy-duty work. I can't comment on the 5N specifically, and it operates slightly differently than either the 5C or 5D(t), but if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer them.

 

[steve123]

Pick up a Lacie 8big and a mac mini and run macOS server on it.

 

[Geeky Chimp]

I'm thinking option 1 - if it isn't broke, don't fix it.
If you've got enough Storage capacity with what you have I'd keep what you have.