Cheap RAID Storage

[DrSheldonCooper]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a simple solution for my storage. Basically I'm looking to have 2 external HDD which are mirrored to store my files.

I find the NAS to be too expensive as I do not need all the features that they offer. Basically just need a plug and play external HDD that has a mirrored backup.

Would an external RAID enclosure be my best bet?

I was also looking at the WD MyBook Duo. 4TB is plenty for me. And it's selling at the IT show right now at 369.

 

[tmfwy]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a simple solution for my storage. Basically I'm looking to have 2 external HDD which are mirrored to store my files.

I find the NAS to be too expensive as I do not need all the features that they offer. Basically just need a plug and play external HDD that has a mirrored backup.

Would an external RAID enclosure be my best bet?

I was also looking at the WD MyBook Duo. 4TB is plenty for me. And it's selling at the IT show right now at 369.

Get those branded ( WD / Seatate...et) Raid Solutions

Don't bother going for DIY Hotway Probox Raid solutions

Cheaper to just stick 2x hDD into your pc and use bios / windows raid

 

[DrSheldonCooper]

Get those branded ( WD / Seatate...et) Raid Solutions

Don't bother going for DIY Hotway Probox Raid solutions

Cheaper to just stick 2x hDD into your pc and use bios / windows raid

Thanks for your input. Yes when I googled, the Hotway one was the first one that came out actually. Have you had bad experiences with these before?

What do you think about the WD MyBook Duo as well? Seems like one of the cheaper ones by WD which offer this RAID
solution.

 

[Masa27]

As mention earlier, can try buying 2 internal HDD and run windows raid. I suppose this is one of the cheaper options.

 

[converse2010]

Or get a used 2 bay NAS?

 

[shiroyuki03]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a simple solution for my storage. Basically I'm looking to have 2 external HDD which are mirrored to store my files.

I find the NAS to be too expensive as I do not need all the features that they offer. Basically just need a plug and play external HDD that has a mirrored backup.

Would an external RAID enclosure be my best bet?

I was also looking at the WD MyBook Duo. 4TB is plenty for me. And it's selling at the IT show right now at 369.

I am using a NAS converted into DAS, Direct attached storage for my data backup. Never ever get WD cloud or seagate ready made RAID devices as they most of the time do not allow you to replace or upgrade the drive in future. Hotway was the first i used and have no issue. but i converted to 'NAS' is cuz in future i might want to convert it to a fully functioning NAS.

Never ever solely use a NAS as a backup. Always have an external drive as a form of another backup. You can consider either getting a NAS or using Windows RAID. however, when you change system, you cannot simply just plug and play into the new system and seeing the raid works as it is a different chipset. so, NAS/DAS is a better alternative.

 

[octacon]

I think I still see some Synology ds216se in challenge @ 189 SGD ( with membership) discount. Can get that if you just want storage.

 

[Piezoq]

For mirroring, just get a dual bay non-raid external usb 3.0/3.1 enclosure. Doesn't cost much.

Use Windows Backup or Synctoy to backup to each drive nightly. There are also many other backup software available if you need certain features.

Forget about Raid if you only want Raid 1. It's not an idiot-proof solution.

 

[tmfwy]

Thanks for your input. Yes when I googled, the Hotway one was the first one that came out actually. Have you had bad experiences with these before?

What do you think about the WD MyBook Duo as well? Seems like one of the cheaper ones by WD which offer this RAID
solution.

I have had a couple of Hotways, Probox and one more forgot name in metal case
Bought them for temp raid storage ( As in site backup )
Didn't last long and the hardware ( box ) has a love-hate relationship with me ( HArd disks fine though )

Ended up going with Synology / QNAP ( Have a couple of those boxes ) but due to Single Point of failure issues, i'm going with the Windows and Cheapo Raid card solution.

 

[tmfwy]

I think I still see some Synology ds216se in challenge @ 189 SGD ( with membership) discount. Can get that if you just want storage.

DS216SE @ Good deal. I have one of these for portable storage.
It may be slow but its perfectly suitable as a basic NAS / DAS

 

[tmfwy]

For mirroring, just get a dual bay non-raid external usb 3.0/3.1 enclosure. Doesn't cost much.

Use Windows Backup or Synctoy to backup to each drive nightly. There are also many other backup software available if you need certain features.

Forget about Raid if you only want Raid 1. It's not an idiot-proof solution.

Seriously stay away from software based sync apps that requires you to manually initiate the backup process. Or at least press the sync button ONLY when you ahve double checked what you intend to do.

Had a novice IT user who called me up and asked me to help him coz his backup was suddenly empty. After some talking, i found out he synced the empty target drive to the source drive and pressed the sync button ( it was late at night and he was tired... ). No way anyone can help him short of a full backup copy available.. Lost 15y of work....

 

[Piezoq]

Seriously stay away from software based sync apps that requires you to manually initiate the backup process. Or at least press the sync button ONLY when you ahve double checked what you intend to do.

Had a novice IT user who called me up and asked me to help him coz his backup was suddenly empty. After some talking, i found out he synced the empty target drive to the source drive and pressed the sync button ( it was late at night and he was tired... ). No way anyone can help him short of a full backup copy available.. Lost 15y of work....

Synctoy and task scheduler automates the process. Been using that combi for more than a decade. Works for me.

If not, there are more choices available than we have time for.