Synology DS418 (warm) - $465

carniver wrote: ↑ Not really, 720 doesn't have 7 bays

davidqbp wrote: ↑ a nas feels like something i should have and I want, but I don't know what I'd use it for anymore.

carniver wrote: ↑ Ability to run VM/docker sounds cool, but I don't feel comfortable running services on my NAS. The celeron processor is weak and I don't want to risk running docker containers that could compromise my personal files. YMMV

carniver wrote: ↑ Ability to run VM/docker sounds cool, but I don't feel comfortable running services on my NAS. The celeron processor is weak and I don't want to risk running docker containers that could compromise my personal files. YMMV

kevinkuo wrote: ↑ Dell also has the QNAP TS-473-4G on sale for $899, if anyone is interested in a higher-end AMD-based model.

Also, it looks like both models are available through "Dell Technologies For Work" as well as the normal consumer site. 6% Rakuten (instead of 2% on the consumer version) and AMEX currently also has offers for Dell for Work (2 bonus MR per $1 on my Cobalt). Are there eligibility criteria for ordering through the "For Work" version of the site?

Crichtonfan wrote: ↑ I run nextcloud docker (along with other services) on a pi that serves as a home file storage server along with a media server. Everything I run on it is using docker. What do you mean by compromise? Genuinely curious.

SuperNaut wrote: ↑ If you are going to drop this amount on a QNAP buy a model where the CPU can be upgraded, this one is soldered and not upgradeable.

carniver wrote: ↑ Compromise as in possible security flaw. Docker is not as secure as VMs, it's kind of a glorified deep chroot. We joke about how when we're given docker access, we can use privileged mode to turn it into root access.

WeeWee wrote: ↑$ 200 is not worth 418 to 420+, I guess the "+" line has more features. that's the reason I get the 720+. it is a 2 bay unit, but it can expand to up to 7 unit with expansions

aouniat wrote: ↑ I've seen many NAS threads and although some people were not happy with the amount of posts recommending custom built NAS, I ended up listening to them. I just couldn't justify the premium prices for these boxes given the mostly underpowered/limited hardware. So I built a MUCH powerful Synology NAS at a fraction of the price.

I'm an average tach-savvy person and the main reason that made me take this route is Xpenology. It's the same DSM software that comes with Synology NAS, but you get to run it on a normal PC hardware!

For the hardware, some people prefer to buy servers from ebay because they are dirt cheap and can accommodate a lot of hard drives, but I didn't go that route. Servers are big and not really power efficient due to their old Xeon CPUs.

I wanted something compact, quiet, and power efficient. I ended up buying a Dell Optiplex Mid Tower 3050 with i5-6500 CPU. TDP is 65W but on idle it should be around 30W. The CPU can be swapped with a i5-6500T or any of the 7th Gen intel CPUs. The 6500T or 7500T CPUs have a 35W TDP and 18W idle.

The mid tower can easily fit 3 SSDs and two 3.5" HDD, but I'm going to cut the 2.5" rack from the side to make it wider so that it can fit two extra 3.5" HDDs. A total of four 3.5" HDDs is enough for my use, & I'm pretty sure there's a way to make it fit more. Anyways, any hardware could run Xpenology, so the Optiplex only serves my needs in this case.

The intel 6500 is double the performance of the Celeron CPU in the more expensive Synology 920+ and supports up to 32Gb RAM (it came with 8Gb DDR4). The Synology 920+ comes with 4Gb RAM and has a maximum memory capacity of 8Gb (to me that's a joke when factoring the price premium).

I paid around $250 all in for the Optiplex (ebay). I bought an extra Intel dual nic pic-e card which is totally optional for $20 (from ebay) to do link aggregation, and a SATA controller pcie x16 card that supports up to 8 SATA HDDs for 20$ (kijiji). This way I don't have to worry about limited SATA connections from the motherboard.

Total cost ~ $300.

The Optiplex is very compact yet has a respectable room for upgrades. Here are the motherboard specs:
https://optinethawaii.com/DELL/Dell-Opt ... -Sheet.pdf

Crichtonfan wrote: ↑ Nice! How do you put the additional hard drives in? Strap them to the case through some means? This sounds like a better route as I am thinking of eventually upgrading my pi server to better hardware.

aouniat wrote: ↑...although some people were not happy with the amount of posts recommending custom built NAS...

tvisforme wrote: ↑ Usually, the frustration with custom-built NAS posts in NAS threads is due to a small subset of builders who always trash Synology, QNAP and other pre-built units as a "waste of money" while ignoring both the benefits of pre-built and the drawbacks to self-built. (Obviously, your post isn't one of those!)

carniver wrote: ↑ Man, 12% CB just for today, sweetens the deal further!

WeeWee wrote: ↑ Agreed, been there, custom build my own a while ago, try the hacksynology DSM too. if you have time and your data had the second backup already, go for it, also the downside is if you don't have good knowledge you may end up frustrated or worst lost all your data.

I guess the high price tag of Synology and QNAP is not just for hardware, also need to factor in the customer support, software system already been tested out and less bug than the open system.

PS: on a side note, those boxes are not really for performance by given the cheapest laptop will have better performance, you will really need to look into what you do with those NAS boxes and determine what you hardware or model you need.