LaCie Ethernet Disk or Xserve Raid

[ipacmm]

I am looking to add a good network data server, so I have narrowed it down to the LaCie Eathernet Disk 2TB or an Xserve Raid (haven't decided on which size).

LaCie 2TB - $1,549

Xserve Raid - A lot more money..

So which one do you think will be better? I know the Xserve Raid will do a lot more and can be expanded in size but is it really worth the major price difference over the LaCie rack?

 

[Alistair]

Before I start, I've not had direct experience of either but do run a network of almost 200 Macs, so may have faced similar issues. What is your environment?

If you are considering the XServe do I assume that you already have some sort of Mac server? If so, what is the processor and network load on the machine? If they are not very high, would you consider additional storage for that machine either internal or external SATA2 for instance?

As I see see them the advantages of the LaCie are:
Price
Needs almost no dependancy on other servers
Adds very little load to existing servers
Can be positioned anywhere on your network


Disadvantages being
Limited to 25 concurrent users
May require more user management with a large number of users

 

[xparaparafreakx]

What are your plans for it? Xserve RAID is good for expanding later on.

 

[ipacmm]

I already have a few Xserve's so I can use one as the head node if I were to get the Xserve Raid...I am going to use it as a network storage and remote access to the hard drives. It is nice that the Xraid can be expanded but I just don't know if it is worth it...

 

[CanadaRAM]

What is the redundancy in the critical components other than the mechanisms?

I would hate like heck to run a terabyte disk array for a bunch of users, and have it run with a single, non-redundant power supply...

 

[Alistair]

What is the redundancy in the critical components other than the mechanisms?

I would hate like heck to run a terabyte disk array for a bunch of users, and have it run with a single, non-redundant power supply...

Yes, good point. I guess only you'll know how important uptime is as opposed to data protection. At our school for instance we consider some of the data fairly critical but in a worst case scenario not accessing it for a few hours while we replaced a part would not be life or death. As a result various RAID levels are in place as well as backups but generally our devices only have single power supplies. Having said that, I've only ever had a single Apple power supply go. Touch wood!

I am fairly sure that the XServe has no single common failure point (hot swap drives, power supplies and cooling modules and dual fibre connections) where as it looks to me as though the LaCie has a single cooling, power supply and network connectivity.

If you already have XServes I suspect the management may be substantially easier and more flexible when adding a new one compared to bringing a completely different architecture in. On the other hand, as you say, it is a lot more money.

 

[rreisner]

LaCie Ethernet Disk on Mac Network Issues

I have a new LaCie Ethernet Disk attached to my mac network (one powerboo, one ibook, one mini) and I constantly have issues with manipulating files on the Ethernet Disk since they are not formatted for the mac environment. If I erase and format the Ethernet Disk for MAC I will lose the embedded Windos XP.
Should I do this? Anyone else have these issues?
Thanks,
Rollis