I need more storage

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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Most of the threads on this have been pretty old so here comes a new one :slight_smile:

Currently running PMS on an older iMac (2012) with 4 USB drives (27 TB). I also have several other USB drives and devices (Time Machine, BD drive, etc…) to the point where my desk looks like a mad scientist’s lair. Plus, USB drives tend to fall off-line (may be the age of my iMac) so I’m concerned about adding any more drives. Questions for this esteemed crowd:

  • Recommendations for a DAS (don’t require NAS [see next question]). Cost is not a terrible constraint for me if I get quality (i.e. entry level is not what I’m looking for).
  • pros/cons of getting a NAS with PMS built in? Currently been OK with my iMac acting as PMS, and I plan to buy a new one soon with POWER :), but wondering…I had a NetGear ReadyNAS that offered plug-in features (DLNA, Music server) but was a pain in the neck to configure and manage

Thanks!

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Personally I like to use a NAS as a pure storage device and a dedicated server to do the serving. Searching through these forums there seems (to me) to be less problems this way. Also like the option of upgrading one without touching the other.

If the 27TB of storage you have now is approaching capacity I’d recommend one of the NAS units with at least 6, but probably 10 Bays. Start with 4 x 10TB drives (in raid) to give you 30TB now, add an additional 10TB drive each time you start approaching capacity again. Retain your current server iMac for now until it needs upgrading, you know it works.

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Thanks…do you have a recommendation for one that works well with a Mac?

edit: 10 Bay units are very $$$ without drives…this may not work.

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A NAS should work with any operating system

I just had a look at prices, and wow, the extra bays on an empty NAS sure do bump the price up.I have a 4 bay unit myself, but my library is a lot smaller than yours.

Perhaps look at a unit with less bays that is expandable later, with an add-on such as this: https://www.qnap.com/en-au/compatibility-expansion/

Note not all QNAP models can be expanded, mine is the model just before this was released and I missed out - do your research

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