Why Windows Home server instead of NAS (like LaCie 2big Network)?

[Aloke Prasad]

I'm thinking about getting a NAS for my home network.

Why would someone buy a MS Windows Home Server (like the HP MediaSmart
Server EX470) instead of, say LaCie 2big Network? (let's ignore the
current bugs in the OS for the moment).

http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/GG795AA%23ABA?
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=10953

With the Mediasmart server, I get 500 GB of storage for $600. With the
Lacie, I get 500 GB Raid 1 (two 500 GB drives) for $400.

The Mediasmart has 3 expansion slots and USB ports to add storage. The
Lacie 2big has USB ports as well, and more importantly, has RAID 1
capability.

Other than that, all features and capabilities are similar between the
two, as far as I can tell.

Am I missing something? Why would one buy any Windows Home server
system when cheaper NAS systems do the same for less? Is there anything
that the MS Home Server systems offer that, say 2big does not?

Aloke

 

[Rod Speed]

I'm thinking about getting a NAS for my home network.

Why would someone buy a MS Windows Home Server (like the HP MediaSmart Server EX470) instead of, say LaCie 2big
Network?

More future.

(let's ignore the current bugs in the OS for the moment).

With the Mediasmart server, I get 500 GB of storage for $600. With the Lacie, I get 500 GB Raid 1 (two 500 GB drives)
for $400.

The Mediasmart has 3 expansion slots and USB ports to add storage. The
Lacie 2big has USB ports as well, and more importantly, has RAID 1 capability.

Other than that, all features and capabilities are similar between the
two, as far as I can tell.

Am I missing something?
Yep.

Why would one buy any Windows Home server system when cheaper NAS systems do the same for less?

Because the GP system has more future.

Is there anything that the MS Home Server systems offer that, say 2big does not?

Yep, more future. Much easier to put bigger drives in later etc.

 

[Aloke Prasad]

More future.





Because the GP system has more future.


Yep, more future. Much easier to put bigger drives in later etc.

Ok. So, to summarize:

MS Home Server:
Pro: Expandability
Con: No RAID; more expensive for the initial storage capacity.

Lacie 2big:
Pro: RAID 1; Cheaper
Con: Not expandable cheaply (maybe one can put larger drives instead
of the one's supplied by LaCie?)

Is that it?

Aloke

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

Ok. So, to summarize:

MS Home Server:
Pro: Expandability
Con: No RAID; more expensive for the initial storage capacity.

But you can add software raid and if you use a different platform, that can trivially have RAID.

Lacie 2big:
Pro: RAID 1; Cheaper

Initially anyway.

Con: Not expandable cheaply (maybe one can put larger drives instead of the one's supplied by LaCie?)

Is that it?

Nope, the other alternative that should be considered is doing it yourself.
Not a shred of rocket science required and it can be even cheaper.

 

[Eric Gisin]

Ok. So, to summarize:

MS Home Server:
Pro: Expandability
Con: No RAID; more expensive for the initial storage capacity.

Nope, Home Server replicates files if you have 2+ drives.
Microsoft support for 3-5 years via Windows Update.

Lacie 2big:
Pro: RAID 1; Cheaper
Con: Not expandable cheaply (maybe one can put larger drives instead of the one's supplied by
LaCie?)

Do they publish their support schedule?

 

[Aloke Prasad]

Nope, Home Server replicates files if you have 2+ drives.
Microsoft support for 3-5 years via Windows Update.

Do they publish their support schedule?

I don't think Lacie (or other NAS vendors) will provide any more than
firmware updates, as needed.

I have been reading up on WHS some more.. and it looks like an
interesting product if future expansion is a desired feature.

Will WHS work with non-Windows clients, like if I have a Mac as well as
windows (XP) systems on my network?

Aloke