Another option in terms of NAS is rolling your own system based off of Openfiler (openfiler.org) or something like it (the BSD-based FreeNAS comes to mind). We’re in the process of deploying an Openfiler based system over here that’s providing 21TB of storage at a total cost of well under $10k. You could go hardware raid for large storage or, for something where performance isn’t as important, you could go software raid and save a bundle. It’s also a great way to repurpose hardware that you may have sitting around as the minimum system requirements are very low.
----
Jack Kramer
Computer Systems Specialist
University Relations, Michigan State University
w: 517-884-1231 / c: 248-635-4955



> From: Jason Coleman <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Jason Coleman <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:34:26 -0500
> To: "[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] Atom Based NAS Devices?
>
> I suggest researching it at http://www.smallnetbuilder.com, they were an
> excellent resource when I was researching NAS devices for myself.
>
> The one you are looking at is too new to have a lot of info on yet.  Thecus
> is generally well regarded in the space though, but it's also at the higher
> end, cost and a performance-wise of the SOHO space.  You may try their
> forums to see if there's any early adopters of it or to check on other Atom
> based devices.
>
> Good luck!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Al Puzzuoli [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:59 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MSUNAG] Atom Based NAS Devices?
>
> We're considering the possibility of purchasing an atom based NAS. Has
> anyone researched these? What features are considered important aside from
> iSCSI support? One that looks interesting to me is the Thecus
> N4200:
> http://bit.ly/aId9Dt
>
> A favorable review can be found here:
> http://www.trustedreviews.com/networking/review/2010/02/24/Thecus-N4200-
> 4-Bay-NAS/p1
>
> Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
>
> --Al