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Hi guys,
I've just received my new DNS-323, which I intend to use as a media network share. I haven't yet ordered any disks for the box, as I don't currently need it absolutely immediately, and I want to make sure I get enough capacity on day one to last me a while.
I intend to run the box in a RAID-1 mirror for data security, and would go for at least 500GB drives. However, I'm tempted to go large, to 750GB or even 1TB drives.
Question 1: does anyone know what the largest drive size is that's supported by the DNS-323?
Question 2: If I can go for 750GB or larger disks, cost becomes an issue, as I can get two 500gig disks for a similar price to one 750gig, for example. Is it possible to install a single 750GB disk in the DNS-323, start using it, and then add a second (matched) disk once prices have fallen? Could a Raid-1 array then be built without me losing my data?
Thanks in advance,
Aljrob
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I've got two 750Gb Seagate SATA-300 drives in mine currently. £110 (GBP) each. Not sure what the largest drive size is though, but make sure you update the firmware to 1.03 otherwise it can't see more than 649GB !
Not sure about the adding a second disk later thing though. It would make sense...
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gareth wrote:
...make sure you update the firmware to 1.03 otherwise it can't see more than 649GB !
Good tip - will the drives still work with earlier firmware (mine shipped with 1.01 according to the box), because I understand that the early firmwares cannot be updated unless there's a disk installed - i.e. can I install a 750gb drive into 1.01 firware, upgrade then reformat to the full capacity or not?
For all other viewers, any ideas about using one disk then building a RAID-1 mirror at a later date?
Thx, Aljrob
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Aljrob,
>install a 750gb drive into 1.01 firware, upgrade then reformat to the full capacity
Yep, that is how it works!
As for the later building of a RAID-1 - that is something I'd like to know as well (facing a similar situation as you are).
I assume that it is possible to install just one disk and tell the dns-323 it should format it in RAID-1 mode.
Alternatively (this is what I'd currently prefer):
Install one disk as single disk. Once the 2nd disk arrives, make a full back-up from the first disk to the second once a week (can be done in the web-interface of the dns-323).
This would save me from dataloss by disk-failure as well as me being stupid and deleting some files (RAID-1 will not save you from that).
Cheers,
Emacs
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I also have the Seagate SATA-2 750GB but would advice against them, they are power hungry, emit a lot of heat and are noisy. If you are storage crazy a better option is Hitachi 1TB, they are faster, more energy efficient and quieter- but more expensive.
Even though I have an issue with Hitachi disks they are frequent visitors in our repair centre..... The overall disk quality varies wildly between manufacturers, models and production batches so unless you have an access to this information you can only make a guess.
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Currently two 500GB disks will give you the most storage for the money.
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Aljrob wrote:
Question 2: If I can go for 750GB or larger disks, cost becomes an issue, as I can get two 500gig disks for a similar price to one 750gig, for example. Is it possible to install a single 750GB disk in the DNS-323, start using it, and then add a second (matched) disk once prices have fallen? Could a Raid-1 array then be built without me losing my data?
No.
My DNS-323 is now equiped with 2 WD Caviar SE 500GB drives.
The second drive was delivered two weeks after the first drive because of supply problems.
I first installed the DNS with one drive so I could upgrade the firmware to 1.03.
When I added te second drive, de DNS automatically configured it as two separate drives and formatted drive 2.
I see no way to change this to a mirrored configuration without reformatting (and thus erasing your data on disk 1).
Matthias Claes
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Gareth,
Where did you get the 750 gig drives at 110 pounds Sterling. Or is that without tax?
Have not seen less than 130.
Ta in advance
Biscotte
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Thiam wrote:
Aljrob wrote:
Question 2: If I can go for 750GB or larger disks, cost becomes an issue, as I can get two 500gig disks for a similar price to one 750gig, for example. Is it possible to install a single 750GB disk in the DNS-323, start using it, and then add a second (matched) disk once prices have fallen? Could a Raid-1 array then be built without me losing my data?
No.
My DNS-323 is now equiped with 2 WD Caviar SE 500GB drives.
The second drive was delivered two weeks after the first drive because of supply problems.
I first installed the DNS with one drive so I could upgrade the firmware to 1.03.
When I added te second drive, de DNS automatically configured it as two separate drives and formatted drive 2.
I see no way to change this to a mirrored configuration without reformatting (and thus erasing your data on disk 1).
Matthias Claes
Correct. If you format with only one disk in your only format option is Standard disk. If you then decide to add a second disk for raid functionality you must format the partitions for raid (clearing the data on the first disk). Make sure to backup your data to your PC if you are switching from Standard to Raid.
-Aaron
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