SoftRAID Pro at $250 (have own drives) is too expensive compared to diskless enclosures from Synology or QNAP. Any other options?

[MRxROBOT]

Looking for a software solution that will give me RAID 5 on my Mac mini I’ve been using as a server. Soft RAID Pro does what I need but at $250… I think I’d be better off just picking up a diskless NAS enclosure from QNAP or Synology, right? Thoughts?

 

[chikorita157]

If you only have OWC enclosures, you can use the XT version, which is a bit cheaper.

I just don't trust NAS solutions since their software are insecure and susceptible to attacks such as the DeadBolt ransomware, which affects QNAP NASes along with lack of long-term support when the manufacturer drops support. You can't load a new OS on it once the manufacturer drops support and have to buy a new NAS device that is supported. That is why I prefer using a Mac mini as a NAS or building your own and use TrueNAS or Unraid.

 

[MRxROBOT]

If you only have OWC enclosures, you can use the XT version, which is a bit cheaper.

I just don't trust NAS solutions since their software are insecure and susceptible to attacks such as the DeadBolt ransomware, which affects QNAP NASes along with lack of long-term support when the manufacturer drops support. You can't load a new OS on it once the manufacturer drops support and have to buy a new NAS device that is supported. That is why I prefer using a Mac mini as a NAS or building your own and use TrueNAS or Unraid.

That’s pretty much where I ended up as well. I currently am not using any OWC enclosures. I’ve got DAS and individual enclosures + my mini as a server for backups and media. So the only solution for using my drives and raid 5 puts me at SOFTRAID, short of building my own own or going with Synology etc. That’s unfortunate but what I already knew I guess.

Thank you for taking the time chikorita157. I really do appreciate it. Enjoy your weekend!

 

[satcomer]

That’s pretty much where I ended up as well. I currently am not using any OWC enclosures. I’ve got DAS and individual enclosures + my mini as a server for backups and media. So the only solution for using my drives and raid 5 puts me at SOFTRAID, short of building my own own or going with Synology etc. That’s unfortunate but what I already knew I guess.

Thank you for taking the time chikorita157. I really do appreciate it. Enjoy your weekend!

Just remember with Synology you access to their Package Store with many third party apps that will turn their NAS to almost server status!