NAS comparision

Litscool on 07/11/2016 - 11:58

Hi All,

Want to buy NAS but very new to this field.

I have two NAS in mind, QNAP 453A and Synology 916+.

Use:
1. I want to use it to install Win Servers on VMWare, I am MSDN memeber so have win licenses.
2. For storage & remote access
3. IP cameras

Questions:
1. Do I need any other licenses apart from Win to install vms?
2. Can I use hybrid raid on both, I know Synology has it's own raid where i can have one or two disk only for now and add more later, it is possible with Qnap
3. both comes with some free licenses, any idea about additional cost for extra licenses
4. Which one is better for remote access and mobile apps

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Computing

Comments

  • CLoSeR on 07/11/2016 - 13:16

    I use a Synology NAS and I find it easy to use and reliable, will try to answer your questions.

    Use
    1. Don't think Synology have an app to support VMWare, best you ask them directly if it's a feature you must have.
    2. For storage and remote access it's great, no problems there.
    3. By default Synology DSM with Surveillance Station will support 2 network ip cameras, if you need more you'll need to purchase additional licenses.

    Questions
    1. I don't think Synology supports VMWare
    2. Synology Hybrid RAID is great, I'm currently running in a 4 disk setup. Not sure about QNAP.
    3. Surveillance station licenses for Synology are around $80 for 1, or $260 for 4.
    4. Synology has arguably the best software, I use all their mobile apps on Android.

  • sane on 07/11/2016 - 14:07
    +1

    I run UNRAID, which has the advantage over the above boxes that you can buy and spec your own hardware, or indeed use something you have lying around. Given you are going to want to run virtual machines, that can be very useful since you'll need the CPUs and memory.

    It allows you to run VMs via KVM as well as Docker containers. Most apps are installed as Docker instances, though there are plugins for things that are close to the RAID storage aspects. One of those apps is Zoneminder for IP cameras etc. VMs for Windows, Win Server, OSX, Linux, etc. all work, and I think you can run VMWare if you must.

    The RAID implementation allows you to start off with just one disk if you want, adding extra data disks and extra parity disks, as you feel like.

    • itscool on 08/11/2016 - 11:45

      Thanks sane.

      I never knew that there are OS like FreeNAS and UNRAID, I am looking into it now and seems it is huge field out there.
      If you don't mind can you tell me what motherboard and processor you have on your UNRAID?

      • sane on 08/11/2016 - 13:44

        Personally I've run am HP Microserver for ages now, since VMs aren't a need. That's an old 1.3Ghz Athlon. However others have run much bigger servers, Xeon seem popular.

  • CyberMurning on 07/11/2016 - 14:07

    i have no idea what is vmware but yes syno support. there is a logo next to the unit lol…
    and just google Synology VMWare give you lots infor

    http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/detail.php?deviceCa…
    https://www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/virtualization_VMware
    https://www.synology.com/en-global/knowledgebase/DSM/tutoria…

    • CLoSeR on 07/11/2016 - 14:20
      +1

      Op's question indicated to me he wanted to install VMWare Windows Servers on the Synology NAS, the articles you linked are for using Synology NAS as VMWare storage.

      Need more from OP I guess.

      • CyberMurning on 07/11/2016 - 14:45

        ok sorry i have no idea about vmware stuffs

        • itscool on 08/11/2016 - 11:45

          Hi Guys,

          Thanks all for helping here.
          Regarding vmware question by dragonindespair and CLoSer, someone told me i can host vms on NAS but could not find any info on their site regarding that. Yes i am aware about NAS can be used as storage.

          Also just wanted to confirm that $80/sur. camera is one off right?

          Thanks Guys

  • itscool on 08/11/2016 - 08:36

    Hi Guys,

    Thanks all for helping here.
    Regarding vmware question by dragonindespair and CLoSer, someone told me i can host vms on NAS but could not find any info on their site regarding that. Yes i am aware about NAS can be used as storage.

    Also just wanted to confirm that $80/sur. camera is one off right?

    Thanks Guys

    • CLoSeR on 09/11/2016 - 10:57
      +1

      My understanding is it is a permanent license, but that's only if you need more than 2 cameras.

  • maxsdadda on 21/11/2016 - 14:17

    Agree with above. I believe the license for cameras is permanent to THAT SYSTEM. Qnap and Synology have similar free camera licenses.
    I'm currently helping a friend set up on his qnap now. His only came with 2 licenses free. Mine comes with 4.

    I ended up going the QNAP route and don't use 1/10th of it's potential… but love it.
    Easy to use, easy to set up. Small, quiet, fast etc. I currently run an arlo camera system but looking to go hard wired in the near future via the qnap.

  • AlexG on 24/11/2016 - 23:01

    NAS noob here… on the NAS topic, what are everyone's thoughts on SSD? SSD's like these fail less, produce no noise and much less heat but price per MB is many times higher. Way of the future though? Any ideas on if there are better deals around? I need probably 4TB total, to set up a back up and mirror.

    • the frost on 25/11/2016 - 12:50

      I find physical hard drives are better for NAS rather than SSD. Are you using it for 4K video? 1080p/5.1ch media streams fine over 802.11g using 7200rpm drives (and I haven't tested 4K video, etc.), so unless you're using it for 4K it may not be worth it.

  • itscool on 11/01/2017 - 14:01

    Guys,

    Any idea which one is better Synology 916+ vs Qnap TS-453A

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