Is it really that much to ask for?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
So I've been keeping my eyes open for a cheap but somewhat flexible NAS solution. Quick rundown of my requirements:
- Stores data
- Allows always ready backup (usually this translates to RAID 1 mirroring)
- Allows connection via SMB, so I don't have to install software from a hardware manufacturer (this is my best known method for not getting weird errors)
- Plugs into wired Ethernet
- Expandable
- Free (or at least cheap)
Other products tend to be a couple hundred dollars more expensive and include a bunch of stuff that is nice, but not necessary to a consumer, or in my opinion, to a small business (<10 employees, probably retail, not a lot of discretionary funds). I'm going to give it a little time and then go get the Buffalo or SimpleTech.