I want to upgrade my computer so that I can better use my old Synology DS1618+ as a cloud server. Running plex for example. What do you recommend for hardware configuration? Processor, RAM and etc. I have become quite obsolete. LOL Dell is my preferred vendor.

Hi there - I am looking to purchase my first NAS system which will primarily be used to store photos and videos that I take while traveling, as well Office documents and PDFs. I have started to dabble in video editing, but I do that locally and then just upload the final product. I am thinking about the Synology DS220+ with two WD Red Plus drives (8TB each, mirrored) and I'm curious what your thoughts are on this setup? Too much? To little?

Hi. Thinking about purchasing a NAS, but I'm really not sure if I really need one. I would be the only person accessing it and my computer is a iMac 2009, OS 10.12.6. A NAS environment seems pricey and so I was looking at the DS220+. My main reason for wanting one would be to have a Plex server to access my large 4k files, which I already run on my Mac, and to just be able to store everything in one central place instead of having several external hard drives on the go. Maybe I should just buy a large external hard drive and don't bother with a NAS. I would appreciate any advice you could offer. Thanks.

Hi - I am looking for a NAS that has the ability to direct connect an HD and make BU of it - Or connect to a MAC with USB for faster then WiFi transfer of files to the NAS.

All help is very much appreciated.

I came from the Synology camp started with DS101J, then DS213. Currently I'm using a Terramaster F2-423 because I did not like that Synology is moving towards a closed system.

I am currently running quite a few containers and trying to look for a solution to do photo/video backup from phone. Loaded open source Immich but my F2-423 will slow to a crawl and eventually crash. Once I removed Immich everything is back to normal. Seems like I've hit the limit with what the N5105 can do.

Thus, I'm looking at mobile CPUs with TDP 15W and came across Aoostar N1 Pro on Aliexpress that came with Ryzen 5 5500U and 2x2.5Gbe ports, m.2 and 2x3.5 bays.

I've checked the 5500U and it is a couple of years old. But could this be my replacement for Home Server?

I'm also wary of the Terramaster F2-423, after a firmware update my 16GB ram stick is now rendered useless (following Synology's footstep?) and every firmware update is a gamble (just look at their forums...).

I need to implement a NAS solution for my BD/4K collection. I used to buy more discs and my collection is probably about 7GB-8GB. Streaming services have slowed my purchases but with 4K likely to take up more room, even if that is slowly, then I think I should have some expansion room. I've been leaning towards a 4Bay Synology solution. I've not decided if I'd run RAID but Synology's solution seems very good for long term upgrading. But I want to keep my options open and see what you'd recommend. In the past I also looked at ASUSTOR since I have an ASUS router. QNAP, I'd probably avoid solely due to their recent issues.

Hello there. I saw your 4K Plex test on the F2-423 and how the CPU was quite high. I'm new to Plex and NAS but I was wondering if there would be any advantage to transcoding the media with Plex beforehand, I will want to watch when not at home and for family with slow internet speeds, and then adding that media to the NAS?

Many thanks in advance and please keep up the good work you do.

Pete P.

Hi,

Just in case you haven't yet noticed yet.
Qnap "release the asain" model ts-466c, which probably will become the ts-466, and hopefully soon be released.
https://www.qnap.com.cn/zh-cn/product/ts-466c

Sorry for contact through this form, could find any other way.

Cannot access Plex. "plex not authorized"

Hello! I've been watching your Youtube channel and greatly appreciate the information you share. I'm living in a, RV/Travel trailer, or what I believe you'd call a caravan. My space and power is limited. The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen 2 looks perfect for my needs, but would the Flashstor 6 be better considering road bumps and vibration?

Thank you so much!
Lee