Need new back up solution...

If it has the word "windows" or "microsoft" in it, I don't want it.

Currently using Windows Home Server which just recently took a dump on me. I have lost 4 days trying to get this back up and running and can't deal with it anymore. I was swapping server cases and in my rebooting experience, the system drive came unplugged from the SATA cable...this cause the BSOD and a registry error. So, after a 5 hour reinstall, 2 of my drives (out of 7) failed to get recognized by WHS and are now listed in the Pool as "Not Added" with no way of adding them back. I have copied all the date over to another drive that is not part of the pool so there is no data loss. WHS refuses to let me remove the drive from the system. Tells me not enough space when there is. If I physically unplug the drive, it shows up as missing but still wont let me remove it due to file conflict. Currently running CHKDSK on the 2 drives.

With that...I need something more reliable and simple. With WHS in order to get all my data consolidated back to one area, I will be copying 7 drives worth of data back over...Will take about a week.

So what I need is a file server with redundancy, accessible by both Mac and PC and accessible remotely. Doesnt have to be complicated but needs to be easy to set up and manage. Looked into FreeNAS but wondering what else there is out there? I see lots of NAS solutions with the boxes, but most are only 2-4 drive solutions. Hoping to use my current box with the 7 drives.

I have a Mac mini that I would love to set up as a server but not sure if I could utilize the current PC box as a storage area for the mini.

Bottom line is I dont want to have to manage the system...Just turn it on and have it work.

Thoughts?

Drobo Pro 8bay NAS.
http://www.drobo.com/p​roducts/drobopro/index​.php

Has windows vista compatibility sticker on the box

I would say build your own but for me building is half... I take that back, building is 90% of the fun with computers =P

Drobo is nice and Ideal but way out of budget.

themadman - I have built my own...its just running WHS software. Its not the HP hardware version.

I like building my own as well but I dont have the backend OS software knowledge to fix issues like this. From the wegotserved forums, I am not the only one who has experienced my problem, just no one seems to have a fix for it without starting fresh first.

Check out UnRaid or FlexRaid. UnRaid runs from a USB flash drive, FlexRaid runs on top of any OS.

cory1848 wrote in post #9437836
If it has the word "windows" or "microsoft" in it, I don't want it.

Currently using Windows Home Server which just recently took a dump on me. I have lost 4 days trying to get this back up and running and can't deal with it anymore. I was swapping server cases and in my rebooting experience, the system drive came unplugged from the SATA cable...this cause the BSOD and a registry error. So, after a 5 hour reinstall, 2 of my drives (out of 7) failed to get recognized by WHS and are now listed in the Pool as "Not Added" with no way of adding them back. I have copied all the date over to another drive that is not part of the pool so there is no data loss. WHS refuses to let me remove the drive from the system. Tells me not enough space when there is. If I physically unplug the drive, it shows up as missing but still wont let me remove it due to file conflict. Currently running CHKDSK on the 2 drives.

With that...I need something more reliable and simple. With WHS in order to get all my data consolidated back to one area, I will be copying 7 drives worth of data back over...Will take about a week.

So what I need is a file server with redundancy, accessible by both Mac and PC and accessible remotely. Doesnt have to be complicated but needs to be easy to set up and manage. Looked into FreeNAS but wondering what else there is out there? I see lots of NAS solutions with the boxes, but most are only 2-4 drive solutions. Hoping to use my current box with the 7 drives.

I have a Mac mini that I would love to set up as a server but not sure if I could utilize the current PC box as a storage area for the mini.

Bottom line is I dont want to have to manage the system...Just turn it on and have it work.

Thoughts?

I've used them all and I like my Drobo, but I'm getting to the point where it isn't enough. I use SuperDuper and my Drobo and its pretty hands off. I make a clone of my main drive from time to time and periodic (every day) saves of my photo/video/data drives. This way, I can just swap out the clone for the main (os) drive and keep going without issue.

Any NAS, even FreeNAS work just fine - but if you want a server I would look into the Mac mini w/ Snow Leopard Server. It's extremely easy to deploy, very expandable (Firewire & USB), server side caching speeds trasfers to USB, adds a level of security to your network shares and did I mention - it's super easy?

If you want to stay affordable, then SuperDuper! (paid version w/ scheduling) and a NAS will do you well. You could also buy a drive to clone your OS drive for added security.

I know nothing about Linux and that scares me with the UnRaid stuff. IF something were to happen like what is happening to my WHS now, I wouldnt have a clue how to fix it.

Mac Server would be ideal, but until I can find away for it to hook up to my PC box not sure if its worth it. Any way to run a PC in target mode? So a mac reads it as an external drive?

SupeDuper is something I havent thought about. Have to look into that. I have Time Machine for my mac currently, so the main drive isnt really a concern. Its all the stuff on the server I am worried about.

cory1848 wrote in post #9441201
I know nothing about Linux and that scares me with the UnRaid stuff. IF something were to happen like what is happening to my WHS now, I wouldnt have a clue how to fix it.

The guys over at the UnRaid forums are really good and their customer service seems to be top notch. But I know what you mean.

cory1848 wrote in post #9441201
Mac Server would be ideal, but until I can find away for it to hook up to my PC box not sure if its worth it. Any way to run a PC in target mode? So a mac reads it as an external drive?

How do you mean "hook up to my PC"? If sharing files is your only concern, then its easy enough to just share folders and be done with it (security via permissions only). If you're talking about things like roaming profiles, encrypted signatures/handshakes and so on, then you'll need Microsofts Active Directory running on another server - or learn how to use Samba on a Snow Leopard Server.

Again, if its just sharing that you need (no extras like security, user management, etc...) then a NAS will work just fine too.

MaxxuM wrote in post #9441763
How do you mean "hook up to my PC"? If sharing files is your only concern, then its easy enough to just share folders and be done with it (security via permissions only). If you're talking about things like roaming profiles, encrypted signatures/handshakes and so on, then you'll need Microsofts Active Directory running on another server - or learn how to use Samba on a Snow Leopard Server.

Again, if its just sharing that you need (no extras like security, user management, etc...) then a NAS will work just fine too.

Sorry, shouldnt have used the term "PC". Meant computer box really, or the hardware. May have to look into the FreeNAS route to get what I am looking for. I dont think I should have to buy additional hardware to get what I am going after and most user ready boxes out there are mostly hardware.

Might also just keep the WHS running and use it soley for redundancy backup.

cory1848 wrote in post #9448508
Sorry, shouldnt have used the term "PC". Meant computer box really, or the hardware. May have to look into the FreeNAS route to get what I am looking for. I dont think I should have to buy additional hardware to get what I am going after and most user ready boxes out there are mostly hardware.

Might also just keep the WHS running and use it soley for redundancy backup.

Try reinstalling WHS first though, upon rereading the OP, looks like you screwed up the hardware, causing problems. It'll happen again regardless of what OS it's running, and in fact, moreso if fat32, hsf+, or ext3 formatted (zfs should do fine though).

basroil wrote in post #9448801
Try reinstalling WHS first though, upon rereading the OP, looks like you screwed up the hardware, causing problems. It'll happen again regardless of what OS it's running, and in fact, moreso if fat32, hsf+, or ext3 formatted (zfs should do fine though).

After the initial screw I did do a reinstall prior to all this, I had to cause Windows wouldnt launch, just Blue screen screaming registry errors. Really the only thing that got screwed up was the SATA cable becoming unplugged while it was still powered on. That particular drive happened to be the system drive, so that was the double whammy. After that is when I couldnt get 2 of the drives to become part of the pool again. So Last night I did a clean install on a smaller drive and now in process of copying data all back over. My issue is that no matter what, Windows would not recognize those 2 drives and would not let me remove them or add them back in. That prompted the clean install. Now I am looking for something not software based. I dont want to have to deal with running updates, checking this, checking that, etc... Just want to plug it in and have it work. That is why the NAS systems appeal to me but for any 4 bay to 8 bay system, is like $400 and up. I already have a case that holds 8 drives, why would I want another? So, that prompts FreeNAS and similar solutions questions.

cory1848 wrote in post #9449598
After the initial screw I did do a reinstall prior to all this, I had to cause Windows wouldnt launch, just Blue screen screaming registry errors. Really the only thing that got screwed up was the SATA cable becoming unplugged while it was still powered on. That particular drive happened to be the system drive, so that was the double whammy. After that is when I couldnt get 2 of the drives to become part of the pool again. So Last night I did a clean install on a smaller drive and now in process of copying data all back over. My issue is that no matter what, Windows would not recognize those 2 drives and would not let me remove them or add them back in. That prompted the clean install. Now I am looking for something not software based. I dont want to have to deal with running updates, checking this, checking that, etc... Just want to plug it in and have it work. That is why the NAS systems appeal to me but for any 4 bay to 8 bay system, is like $400 and up. I already have a case that holds 8 drives, why would I want another? So, that prompts FreeNAS and similar solutions questions.

So went to a software solution, didn't like it, wanted a hardware solution, didn't like the cost, so back to a software solution ? If there's something keeping those two drives from moving, might just be a drive issue. Tried seeing if the drives could be read in a livedisk?

cory1848 wrote in post #9449598
I already have a case that holds 8 drives, why would I want another? So, that prompts FreeNAS and similar solutions questions.

I think your entire thread describes why you want another solution. Since you messed up this lot buy a packaged solution that will prevent you doing it again. The Drobo seems pretty idiot proof. Just make sure you have a good way to back it up.

I guess what I am missing is what makes the Drobo any better than say a box with a Mother board and a bunch of drives in it?