NAS

Network Attached Storage is a computer connected to the network.

In the past its only function was to store and share files over the network.

Today it comes bundled with a lot more functionality.

Compared with a PC a NAS is:

• lower on power consumption,
• produces less noise (go for a fan less design if you need a real quiet one). This of course depends strongly on the model.

 

Dropping HD prices makes RAID an affordable solution.

RAID is about high availability, not to be mistaken for a backup.

NAS or external Hard Disk

An external HD is the easier of the two. Just connect it to your PC and you are up and running. A NAS is adding another computer to your network. You have to make shares, add users and give the users access rights to the shares.
A NAS can be placed anywhere, out of sight and out of hearing.
If you use an external HD, noise might be an issue.
An external HD is only available when the PC is on, a NAS is available to all devices in the network.
In case of streaming audio, a low power NAS is probably more convenient and more frugal on energy  than a PC with an external HD.
In case of multi room audio or multiple users, a NAS is the way to go.

Functionality

File server

This is the original use of a NAS. A cheap solution to allow users to read/write/share files over the network.

A lot of people struggle using a NAS.

They plug it in and then what's next?
If you want to access files (file sharing) on a NAS over the network you have to do 3 things

1. make users. This are local users only known to the NAS. Often this is a Linux box.
2. make shares. This are the folders you are going to access (to share) over the network.
3. add users to the shares and specify their rights. User X is allowed everything, Y can only read, Z is not added to the share so can’t access it.

On your PC connect to a share using the credentials of one of the NAS user’s you have created. Windows allows for multiple connections but with one specific user only.

Multi media server

They come in many flavours.

• UPnP compliant multi media server.
  This is the industry standard for multi media.
  Check user forums before you buy. A lot of UPnP software is very buggy and/or cracks under load. Mature products like TwonkyVision don't have these problems.
• SqueezeCenter
  A must if you use Squeezeboxes.
  Check if it is possible to install SqueezeCenter.
  Check the performance. SqueezeCenter has become quit big. 256 Mb RAM and a 500 MHz processor is probably a minimum.
• iTunes server.

In general you have to configure the server a little.
You must tell it where it can find the audio.
The server process listen to the network using one or more ports.
If you run multiple media servers on one NAS check that they use different ports.

Download

Support for download through BitTorrent, FTP and HTTP

FTP-server, Webserver, MySql

All you need to host your own website.

Ripping

If your MP3 player can be used to make a phone call, why not let your NAS do the ripping.

 

Vortexbox

Open source NAS, ripper and music server.

You can download the ISO and install it on an old PC.

 

Features

• Convert an old PC to a CD ripper / jukebox / NAS in 15 minutes.
• Based on Fedora so it’s easy to modify.
• Automatically tags all files from online music database.
• Automatically downloads the cover art.
• Automatic sharing of file to SMB (Microsoft) file shares.
• Automatic re-indexing Squeezebox Server  after every CD is ripped.
• AppleTalk – for OSX or Bonjour for Windows.
• DAAP – Automatically shares all MP3s for streaming to iTunes and Roku Soundbridge.
• NFS – For Linux boxes and almost anything else, Solaris etc.
• DLNA – ushare pre-installed to support DLNA players, XBOX 360, etc.
• Easy installation of mplayer for AlianBBC support.
• Good support for Sonos.
• Works well as a backend server for XBMC (XBOX Media Center) running on XBOX, Widnows, OSX, AppleTV, or Linux.

You can buy a box with Vortex installed.