I Built a NAS: One Year Later. EVERYTHING I Learned and the Mistakes

Jimmy Tries World19 minutes read

A NAS setup like the Synology ds1821 plus can enhance digital organization by offering robust storage options, including drive arrays for speed and redundancy. It is advisable to combine different Ethernet speeds for efficient data transfer, utilize a mix of dongles and switches for cost-effectiveness, and establish a backup strategy involving external drives, cloud storage, and off-site services for data security and accessibility.

Insights

  • NAS setups offer a versatile and robust solution for digital organization, allowing for drive configuration, application hosting, and central storage for various media and smart home controls.
  • When considering NAS setups, factors like network speed compatibility, drive configuration, and backup strategies play crucial roles in optimizing performance and ensuring cost efficiency, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning and balancing storage needs with future expansion considerations.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of a NAS setup?

    A NAS setup serves as central storage for various digital content like YouTube footage, photos, and smart home controls, allowing for easy access and sharing between devices. It can also run applications like Plex server, home assistant, and home bridge, consolidating smart home functions.

  • How does NAS improve digital organization?

    NAS allows for configuring drives into an array, combining them for increased speed and redundancy. This setup offers robustness beyond external hard drives or cloud storage, providing a more efficient and organized way to store and access digital content.

  • What is the difference between gigabit Ethernet and gigabyte speed?

    Gigabit Ethernet, common in devices, differs from gigabyte speed, requiring a 10 gigabit Ethernet card for faster data transfer. Upgrading to 10 gigabit may involve additional costs for compatible network switches and computers, but it can significantly improve data transfer speeds.

  • How can video editing on NAS be optimized?

    While video editing on NAS is efficient for file transfer, it may suffer from latency and slower random read/write speeds compared to SSDs. Solutions include consolidating data on large SSDs for editing, using cloud storage for backups, or setting up a separate all-flash NAS for current projects.

  • What is the recommended approach for setting up a NAS?

    Starting a NAS journey should involve choosing a smaller NAS model like Synology DS923 Plus, prioritizing buying the largest drive possible, and considering the number of drive bays for future expansion. Opting for a 4 or 6-bay NAS, using 20 terabyte drives for redundancy, adding SSDs for fast storage, and prioritizing hard drive size over larger NAS models can ensure cost efficiency and future-proofing.

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Summary

00:00

"Enhancing Digital Organization with NAS Setup"

  • A NAS setup significantly improved digital organization, altering approaches to external hard drives and cloud storage.
  • The Synology ds1821 plus, an 8-bay NAS supporting 10 gigabit Ethernet, offers robustness beyond external hard drives or cloud storage.
  • NAS allows configuring drives into an array, combining drives for increased speed and redundancy.
  • Gigabit Ethernet, common in devices, differs from gigabyte speed, necessitating a 10 gigabit Ethernet card for faster data transfer.
  • Upgrading to 10 gigabit requires compatible network switches and computers, adding to costs.
  • A mix of 10, 5, and 2.5 gigabit Ethernet dongles and switches can provide faster speeds where needed at a more reasonable price.
  • NAS serves as central storage for YouTube footage, photos, and smart home controls, facilitating easy access and sharing between devices.
  • NAS, essentially a computer, can run various applications like Plex server, home assistant, and home bridge, consolidating smart home functions.
  • Video editing on NAS, while efficient for file transfer, may suffer from latency and slower random read/write speeds compared to SSDs.
  • Solutions include consolidating data on large SSDs for editing, using cloud storage for backups, or setting up a separate all-flash NAS for current projects.

12:49

Effective Backup Strategies for NAS Users

  • External hard drive can be stored at a family member's house for backup, while online services like Backblaze can handle automatic backups from NAS.
  • A combination of both methods is recommended for important and less frequently accessed files to save on storage costs and ensure off-site backups in case of disasters.
  • Starting a NAS journey should involve choosing a smaller NAS model like Synology DS923 Plus, prioritizing buying the largest drive possible, and considering the number of drive bays for future expansion.
  • Opting for a 4 or 6-bay NAS, using 20 terabyte drives for redundancy, adding SSDs for fast storage, and prioritizing hard drive size over larger NAS models for cost efficiency and future-proofing.
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