NAS for iTunes library and Time Machine

[happycadaver]

Hello forum,

at the moment i have a MacPower Hydra S3 directly connected to my iMac, but i'm not content with it anymore (various reasons) and looking for a "remote" solution like a NAS.

The Hydra S3 has four internal 3TB drives installed, running with RAID 5 and is used for my iTunes library and TM backups. In addition i have a ATV3 connected to my TV. RAID 5 is not a must have, if the NAS has an internal restore solution for a faulty drive.

I'm looking for a NAS solution which is up to the a.m. tasks. Simultaneous streaming should be possible (f.e. video via ATV and music on iMac). I have already updated to Yosemite.

The NAS will be placed next to my router and connected via 1GB LAN to the network.

My main problem with the Hydra S3 was, that iTunes regularly lost the connection to the path and i had to manually renew it. In addition waking it from standby could lead to app crashes or a temporally freezed iMac from time to time.

Any suggestions? Feel free to ask if information is missing. I'm located in Germany, so only worldwide vendors like Synlogy or QNAP are suitable.

Thank you!

P.S. I already did have an Synology 213air, which was not powerful enough for streaming. But i'm open for new vendors.

 

[happycadaver]

I have an additonal question:

Is there a 4-bay RAID-enclosure available, which does have an ethernet port for connectivity?

Since i only use my drives for data storage - administration is completely done via iMac - i don't need an "intelligent" enclosure with an OS or GUI, like a NAS.

Didn't thought about this in the first place.

 

[pietrov]

You've forgotten the budget...
BTW you could consider buying a synology DS1513+ (high level budget), 5 disks or a DS415 Play.
Both of them strem very well over the air...

 

[tillsbury]

I use a Synology DS 413 with 4x3tb WD Reds (9gb usable). Streams, time machine from multiple macs, contains iTunes and video libraries. Works great. Can highly recommend. One drive failure, no downtime (hot replaced)

 

[maflynn]

I have an additonal question:

Is there a 4-bay RAID-enclosure available, which does have an ethernet port for connectivity?

Since i only use my drives for data storage - administration is completely done via iMac - i don't need an "intelligent" enclosure with an OS or GUI, like a NAS.

Didn't thought about this in the first place.

I think most NAS use ethernet. I'd not want something that is completely wireless when gigabit ethernet is so much faster

Check out Qnap and Synology, though 4 bay models can be pricey.

 

[phrehdd]

You may want to consider going to the smallnetbuilder site. They have reviews of many NAS units with testing info and their "conclusion" per unit.

There are different ways to handle iTunes on a NAS, some of us simply put our files there and do an "add to library" while in preferences checking and unchecking (ticks) the correct setting so as not to have iTunes do any moving or copying as well as ordering of files. The other approach is to set up the home location to the NAS itself.

Whatever you end up getting, you may want to try both methods above to see which one gives you the best results. I tend to go with the former rather than the latter.

Last - I think both Synology and QNAP have models that are certainly up to the task. I happen to use QNAP but have set up Synology for friends who are happy with their NAS.

 

[happycadaver]

I got an used 415+ on Ebay with warranty left for 280€.

 

[pietrov]

Wondeful happycadaver: you got it a very good price!

 

[Fl3mez]

Sorry tis may not be the place for it but if read a lot about nas (I didn't do a very good job or I wouldn't be asking this question) but I still don't get what it i still don't get what it is and how it's usfull I keep thinking that it's the booster for browsers or something so if anyone wana clarify, I don't know much about computer programming and stuff (not very good at researching #) so if you can tell me what it does without too much technical stuff that would be great thanks !