Choosing Between NAS and Internal Storage for Backup: A Comprehensive Guide

The decision between Network Attached Storage (NAS) and internal storage can be quite complex. In this article, we will explore various aspects to help you decide the best solution for your storage needs, specifically for back-up purposes.

My Personal Experience with NAS and Internal Storage

I recently went through a similar decision process for backing up images on six PCs, including one server. Initially, I considered a NAS as an ideal solution for storage. However, as I delved deeper, I realized that both the complexity and cost were increasing. Additionally, NAS devices come with their own operating systems, which can be a learning curve for some users.

In the end, I opted for an internal hard drive cage to accommodate hot-swapping disks for disaster preparedness. I utilized three 2TB Western Digital internal drives, each partitioned into two areas to accommodate the backup storage needs of each PC. I swap out the drives weekly and store them in a different location to ensure safety in case of disasters such as fire or floods. This setup has been working seamlessly for me!

Exploring Other Storage Options: SAN and Direct-Attached Hard Drives

Beyond NAS and internal storage, you might also consider expanding your external storage to SAN (Storage Area Network) or using direct-attached hard disks. In a short answer, we advise against using either NAS or SAN. Instead, opt for directly attached hard disks. Here’s why:

Cost-effectiveness: Directly attached hard disks are incredibly affordable, especially for budget-conscious users. Easier Maintenance: Using a server allows for replacement of faulty drives, which is a straightforward task for even a child to perform. Independence: You have the flexibility to maintain the drives without relying on external experts, who may not always be available to you.

Advantages and Limitations of NAS over Internal Storage

While NAS offers advantages such as expandability and multi-device sharing, there are also limitations to consider:

Expandability: Multiple drives in a NAS can be combined to create larger storage pools. However, this might require more technical knowledge and is limited by the physical space and available connections on your NAS device. Security and Reliability: Some NAS devices offer RAID as a solution to protect against drive failures. However, RAID is not a replacement for proper backups. It’s important to still maintain regular backups. File Storage Options: Commercial NAS devices typically come with basic storage options, often RAID. For more robust and flexible storage, you may need to use Union File Systems (such as Btrfs or ZFS) instead of traditional ones like EXT4. Interestingly, Btrfs support is more recent even for commercial NASes like Synology. Most commercial NASes use EXT4. Performance: Most off-the-shelf NAS devices are known for being slower than using internal disks. They are often very basic computers, and prices under $200 are likely to result in something less than a smart phone. This could lead to slower photo storage times.

Alternative NAS Solutions

If you still want a NAS, consider using an old, second-hand computer with a Linux distribution that supports NAS solutions. For instance, using Open Media Vault (OMV), you can achieve a setup comparable to industrial NAS systems at a fraction of the cost. OMV is actually more capable than most commercial variants.

For a Linux workstation with four drives, I’ve achieved a total of 6TB with three drives using Btrfs and MergerFS, and the other one is an SSD running EXT4 and the system. For my NAS, I used an old computer with 8 drives totaling 18TB and running Linux. Specifically, it runs NAS-specific Linux called Open Media Vault (OMV).

Considering the cost and flexibility, using an old computer and installing OMV on it is a viable and cost-effective alternative to off-the-shelf NAS solutions. It offers a setup that can rival even industrial NAS systems costing thousands of dollars.