NAS storage advice

Hello!

I was just looking for some advice about NAS storage. Basically I have been slowly accruing a number of external hard drives and computers over several years, and quite frankly it is getting a bit ridiculous - so I thought that rationalising them all into one NAS system would be the ideal solution.

Unfortunately NAS is something I am relatively unsure on and although given some advice about which one to get, I still have a few questions.

1. I realise the point is that this is to create a means of sharing data between multiple devices, but I live in a shared house, with a shared router, is it possible to directly limit which devices can access the data? or even only use the device via cables?

2. Is there usually some form of software encryption?

3. In terms of just everyday use, film watching etc, what are the significant differences between NAS storage and external hard drives in terms of user experience?

4. what do people think of these machines?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FWURI8K/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Synology-DS213J-Bay-Desktop-Enclosure/dp/B00CDG2XHC/

I am not a high end user, just have a very large collection of music/films with too many computers - so I dont need any more power/speed than is needed to watch a 5/6gig film.

Thank you for your help!

 

Also apologies if this is the wrong section; was torn between here and accessories.

 

1. I realise the point is that this is to create a means of sharing data between multiple devices, but I live in a shared house, with a shared router, is it possible to directly limit which devices can access the data? or even only use the device via cables?

Yes it is. You can set up shares for individual users (with user-names and password) and decide what they can or can't access. You can also not do that and keep the admin password secret so inly you can use the NAS.

2. Is there usually some form of software encryption?

There is (on some NASes) but I've ever used it. The way I have it set up is I have a NAS mapped as Network Drive and on it I have a TrueCrupt container. The container is automatically mounted as a local drive on my PC. As a result it is encrypted and can be transfered to another drove or NAS if needed since it's not a proprietary encryption and it's not dependent on NAS or its firmware. Mind you, I have my SSD fully encrypted too and the paraphrase is cached so that's why TrueCrypt containers from NAS get mounted automatically.

3. In terms of just everyday use, film watching etc, what are the significant differences between NAS storage and external hard drives in terms of user experience?

NAS is definitely more convenient for notebook users. It also allows for streaming video to a TV or music to a stereo system so it's more universal. And it can be used by different users in one household (i.e. for backups)

4. what do people think of these machines?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FWURI8K/
Synology DS213J 2 Bay DiskStation Desktop NAS: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Synology and its main competitor QNAP don't make bad NASes. Although since you are not a power-user you might want to consider a ZyXEL NSA325v2 it's a fair bit cheaper and has good hardware and stable firmware (although not nearly as advanced as QNAP or Synology)

 

I've had Synology 212j (the predecessor of the one you linked) for about 2 years now and can't say enough good things about it. Synology's crowning jewel is their OS. Extremely powerful, flexible, and user friendly. Apps exist for almost anything just like android.

 

1. I realise the point is that this is to create a means of sharing data between multiple devices, but I live in a shared house, with a shared router, is it possible to directly limit which devices can access the data? or even only use the device via cables?

My setup: Synology DS213 is hooked up to my router. Also connected: 1x TV, 1x PC, plus your usual wireless devices (notebook, smartphones). Media playback on the TV from the NAS works for most codes, as for PC/notebook, usual network drive access + reliance on Media Player Classic for videos, and whatever program works for the other types of files.

2. Is there usually some form of software encryption?

Synology should have this option, but I didn't explore it since it's for home use. There may be performance drawbacks also.

3. In terms of just everyday use, film watching etc, what are the significant differences between NAS storage and external hard drives in terms of user experience?

NAS: Anyone in the same network can access, though you may want to control using user credentials.
External: Only 1 at a time, or shared out from a PC/those newer routers with USB.

 

I'm almost just repeat what @Downloads just said.

Yes. There is user administrative management. There is also a guest profile which 'could' let non-registered devices access movies/music as read-only...but only if you're feeling generous.

Yes, but I use TrueCrypt(now discontinued) and mount a virtual drive. With TrueCrypt I can access/mount the drive from an Android phone using the Android EDS application. Also one can access a NAS from anywhere in the world (security permitting) using OpenVPN which most high-level NAS provide. Note - A separation of OpenVPN server and NAS is best practice, but OpenVPN can be run directly on a NAS.

Centralised access and backup basically. Low power and always on is the other winner.

For disks I use WD 3/4TB Red as they're low power, dynamic rpm, low heat and designed for always on and idle spin-down.

I have terrestrial TV connected to my NAS too, so I can stream live TV to a connected device on the network.

Synology is a good brand. I currently use an old QNAP TS-112 with a 3TB HDD (4TB eSATA backup) which has been a solid performer for one person for many years.

As @Downloads mentioned, Synology and QNAP have a rich operating system which may take some time to get up to speed with.
It may be a better solution to find a NAS with a reduced management interface, but provides required service.
However, both QNAP and Synology have a rich set of management applications which can be used on Apple/Android phones... even check on who is logged in

 

We had a Buffalo NAS. It had some capabilities for granting different access layers for any folder. You could attach it to a DC or log in locally.