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[veehb]

I've spent a lot of time on this and other Forums and User's Comments on Vendors sites.  I have a network at  home with three computers running XP SP3, one running Windows 7, an iMac and a MacBook. I also want to network my DISH HDTV Receiver.   I recently set up my recently upgraded Windows 7 computer to be the file server and back up for my home network.  I installed a new SATA Hitachi 1 TByte drive to do the backup.  I'm using a 1 TByte IOMEGA USB drive to backup the iMac, but can't share it with the MacBook.  I should have bought a networked backup disk instead of the External USB drive.

Trying to decide if it would be better to buy a DNS-321 and let it handle the backups for my system, freeing up the Windows 7 computer for other tasks.  I could put the Hitachi drive in the DNS-321 and maybe even the IOMEGA (taking it out of the case.  I believe it has a Seagate 1 TByte SATA drive inside.

I still have a few unanswered questions.  I've seen some of these addressed, but don't have a good feeling on them as I've seen some conflicting information on some of the topics.

1.  Seems to be difficult to make the MAC Time Machine handle backups on the DNS-321.  Has anyone been able to do this successfully?

2.  If the Time Machine won't work, I assume I can use other incremental backup software and that it will give me a reliable backup for my two MAC computers.  Both are running  the Leopard 10.6X OS.

3.  What is the best backup software to use on these computers.  I'm currently using QWest One-Care backup on the XP machines, but it won't run on the Windows 7, so I'll need to find a good backup system for it  It would be best to use the same backup software on all of the computers.

4.  I've read posts from those who have lost their entire DNS-321 system and have not been able to recover the date on the drives as they can't be read on their computers and that the EXT-2 and EXT-3 used here is different from that on standard Linux systems.  Although someone reported being able to read these drives on his Linux system.  Would like someone to clarify this for me.

5  I have a Dish Antenna HDTV system with an Ethernet connection on the receiver.  Is it difficult to stream HD movies between this server and my Dish system?

6  I'm running a 1 Gbit network with Wireless routers (g) and DSL modem (5.9 Mb it).  Some day I'll upgrade to n routers.  I also have switches taking CAT 6 ethernet cable to each location. But, I understand that the full capacity of this (1GB it)  won't be reached.  I do understand that it is fast enough to stream HD movies and also to keep up with the backups.

7.  Several have suggested that I need another backup for this system.  That even if I configure it as a RAID 1 system, I should have the data backup somewhere else.  What is suggested, another 1 GByte system on another computer, another DNS-321 system, or ??  Has anyone tried using Carbonite or other on-line backup systems to backup the DNS-321?

8.  I'm interested in sharing iTunes files between my various computers.  I've seen some comments that there have been some problems in doing this.  But I believe that it works.

I probably have more questions, but these will help me with the purchase decision.  I'm also considering the DNS-323 as it would be nice to share a printer on this system.  I understand that the 323 also has a faster processor and hence faster internet speeds.  Is that right?

Thanks,

Vee

[gunrunnerjohn]

First off, I'd go for the DNS-323, with the current firmware to be formally released on Tuesday, you'll have a somewhat flexible USB port that can handle printers, mass storage, or other USB devices using the SharePort utility that will be available as well.

I don't do Mac stuff, so those questions I'll skip.

3. I use Acronis True Image Home www.acronis.com for image backups from my individual systems to the DNS-323.  I also use Beyond Compare www.scootersoftware.com for data folder synchronization.  Those two handle most of my backup and synchronization chores.

4. You can read at least the EXT2 drives on a Linux system.  You should be able to read the EXT3 drives as well, but I've heard folks saying that's a problem.

5. Don't know about this.

6. The DNS-323 will be a bit faster than the DNS-321, which is another reason to select it.  For either of these boxes, realistic transfer speeds will be somewhere in the mid teens for mb/sec reading and writing.  Enabling jumbo frames will help, I use 4kb frames.

7. RAID of any level is NOT backup!  RAID-1 is merely a method of protecting yourself from a disk hardware failure and offering increased availability.  A software glitch, malware, or simply errant fingers can quickly delete your files from both RAID-1 volumes, never to be seen again.

8. I don't use iTunes, so I can't comment on this.

[veehb]

Thanks for the reply, Gunrunnerjohn

I hope others will reply, especially those with MAC interface experience.

I'm now very interested in the DNS-323, especially if the USB 2.0 port will let me share a USB External Drive through that port.  I haven't seen anything to indicate that it will, but you mentioned a new firmware update coming on Tuesday that will allow it to "handle printers, mass storage, or other USB devices using the SharePort utility that will be available soon". I'd like to know more about this, as I believe this might let me network my IOMEGA 1 TByte external USB drive through that port.  That is very exciting.

Where can I go to learn more about this?  I'll check the DNS-323 and Shareport Forums. 

Thanks for the suggestions to try Acronis True Image Home and Beyond Compare.  I'll check out both of them.

If Linux can read the EXT2 formated drives, then I don't see the concern some have shown here about losing the data if the DNS-321 or DNS-323 has a catastrophic failure.  Looks like it would be possible to recover the data that way, if all else failed.

I'll also look into using jumbo frames.  In reading the posts here, it looks like lots of folks are using 4 kb frames.

Yes, RAID-1 won't protect the data, but does protect against a failed disk drive.  I'll find a way to backup the data somewhere else. 

I may have asked too many questions on the same post.  (learning my way around here).

Would appreciate some comments on using Time Machine on this server and also if anyone has tried using Carbonite for off-site backup.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I used to use Carbonite, and I currently use Mozy.  Both work pretty well and are very similar in concept and execution.  Mozy will give you an unlimited account for $54/year, which seems like a pretty good deal.

If you wait a couple of days, the final 1.08 and the SharePort utility should be available so we'll both know more about it.  I have a printer connected to my DNS-323, so unless I can use a USB hub and connect a USB drive as well, I won't be using that port for mass storage.  FWIW, it's worked flawlessly for my USB printer, and that's the capability I really need.

[veehb]

Carbonite is $55 per year.  They are both advertised a lot on the radio. Why did you switch to Mosey?  Good to know that they work with the DNS-323.  This seems to be a great backup solution.

I just spent an hour reading the DNS-323 Forum and did see mention of 1.08 coming out "soon".  I didn't see a lot of detail as to what it includes.  There is a special Beta of 1.08 that fixes some problems with MAC OSX 10.6.  Wonder if that will be in the 1.08 release?  Are the release notes out yet for 1.08?  I need to do more snooping on the web site. 

It  would be great if it will support a USB hub and also support different USB devices, as I'd like to network a printer as well as an external drive.

Is Shareport a new product?  Or is this an update to an existing product?

[gunrunnerjohn]

I haven't looked at Carbonite pricing, so I wasn't aware it was the same as Mozy.

Let me clear up a possible misconception.  Mozy or Carbonite doesn't work directly with the DNS-323, however you can run them on a network connected machine and backup the DNS-323 files and folders.

The release version of 1.08 is supposed to be posted on the D-Link site tomorrow.

I haven't personally used SharePort, but it's a recent addition, don't know how long it's been around.

[veehb]

Thanks for the clarification.  Yes, I was aware that Carbonite ans Mosey run on a PC and back up the mapped drives as well as the local connected one.  Seems like a great way to backup the NAS and also have off site storage at the same time.

Looking forward to seeing the announcement on the firmware update on the DNS-323, hopefully tomorrow.

I just looked at the Netgear ReadyNAS Duo RND2110.  A little more than the DNS-323, but includes a 1 TByte disk drive.  Seems to be more up-to-date technically.  It has three USB ports and supports USB external drives and multiple printers on the USB ports.  I'm sure it compete with the DNS-323.  Anyone familiar with this one?

Being a nubee here, maybe I'm not supposed to be asking about competitor's systems on this Forum.   

[gunrunnerjohn]

Don't know anything about it, and I can't find any benchmarks, which makes me a little nervous.

[veehb]

You probably have seen it under it's more generic name: ReadyNAS Duo.  It is a two bay NAS, made by NETGEAR.  It supports two SATA drives, is hot swappable, 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0 Ports.  Very similar to the DNS323 but more USB Ports, more memory and faster.   

There are several models being sold today:
ReadyNAS Duo RND2000 (Diskless),
ReadyNAS Duo RND2150 (1 500 GB Disk),
ReadyNAS Duo RND2175 (1 750 GB Disk
ReadyNAS Duo RND2110 (1 1000 GB Disk),
ReadyNAS Duo RND2210 (2 1000 GB Disk). 

Here are a couple of links to see the specs, forum, etc.: http://www.readynas.com/ ,
Http://www.netgear.com/Products/Storage/ReadyNASDuo.aspx?for=Home+Networking.

It is reviewed by SmallNetBuilder with performance comparison charts at:  http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30462/75/

Prices start at about $210.00 after discounts at DELL for the diskless model.  The RND2110 is $270 after rebate at DELL.

In reading the NETGEAR FORUM, they seem to be having about the same problems that D-Link is having with release of firmware updates, compatibility issues, etc. 

Just see this as an alternative worth looking into.  I need to do more study and comparisons.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'm not sure I see performance for this box making me want to buy one over the DNS-323

[veehb]

You have a good point.  May not be worth the extra cost.  I need to see what additional capabilities are added to the DNS-323 with the new firmware.