Question about home NAS setup
Question about home NAS setup
Hey there, I'm trying to find a home NAS backup option. I need to store my photos, some documents, and about 20 movies on one device. I want to connect it to both my computer and mobile devices. Also, I'd like to back up the data to cloud services such as Amazon or Google. Right now I'm considering WD My Cloud devices—they seem to cover most of what I need, but I'm not sure how they handle moving data to Amazon S3 or other providers. I know they support Amazon S3, but I'm not sure if it's the best choice for my budget. I currently use Amazon Photos for cloud backups, but I'm open to alternatives if they're more affordable. I'm also thinking about purchasing a QNAP or Synology NAS and setting it up myself. My main concern is noise—my previous ASUSTOR NAS made loud spinning sounds, so I want something nearly silent. Any experienced users could help me find the right solution? Thanks!
I’ll check Synology or QNAP for the better options. I believe Synology supports B2 and it’s more affordable than S3. You can compare S3 and most other providers’ prices online. The noise from HDDs depends on the type you use, but you could hide them in a quiet place. Some drivers are quieter than others, though there’s no straightforward way to tell which are silent or loud.
I'm well-acquainted with QNAP products since I use and manage them professionally. I appreciate the variety of options available through HBS for backing up data to different services. Regarding noise, brands that are often praised for quiet operation tend to focus on vibration dampening and sound insulation. If you need a device that can be placed quietly in a closet, it would be ideal to choose a model with strong isolation features, especially since you're limited by space and proximity to your internet modem.
After reviewing the numbers, it seems manageable. With less than 150GB for photos and documents, adding a few movies would push it to around 200GB. A 500GB or larger SSD would work well, especially with cost-effective options like WD Blue drives. Using a QNAP or Synology NAS with an SSD should keep things running smoothly. This plan looks feasible.
It closely resembles FreeNAS and offers support for EXT3, EXT4, ZFS or BtrFS. It backs up RAID configurations 0, 1, and 10 by default. You can connect via FTP/SSH, Samba/CIFS, NFS, Apple protocol, and with the OMV Extras plugin it also handles additional features such as NGINX web server, MySQL Server, DLNA Server, BitTorrent client, multiple backup methods, DNS server, and PXE boot. Setting it up is straightforward—just download a ready image, load it onto an SD card, and start it. After launching, access it through a browser and customize your settings. There are many YouTube tutorials available. The main challenge was keeping the USB drive powered off while sleeping; I resolved it by turning off OMV’s built-in power saver and using an app named hd-idle. After a single configuration change and reboot, it worked. I also run Pi Hole alongside OMV without problems, providing network-wide ad blocking. For better performance, consider using an active cooling case for your Pi 4, especially since they tend to get hot. I keep mine in a cupboard next to my bed; when the drive is asleep, it remains silent, though you’ll hear it when accessing it.
For the limited space that seems like a solid option. The single bay units perform quite well, though they’re not as typical. You might prefer a higher-end model for quicker processing since there’s no clear link between brands and noise levels. Some drives are nearly silent, while others are quite loud. I believe high-RPM models tend to be louder, but there are exceptions.
You're considering whether to go with a 500GB or a 1TB WD Blue SSD for your Synology DS119j NAS. With your current storage needs—about 290GB already on your photo library and a few documents—you're weighing the benefits of the extra space against the cost difference. The extra 500GB might seem valuable, but if you mainly add photos and occasional files, it could be worth it. Still, the $65 premium for the larger drive is a big factor. What do you think?