I've read the reviews but I'm still confused as to whether I can use this just as a NAS. Can I use it without the pcie card just over a GB network?
1430413
Unfortunately no. It only has e-Sata connections on the back. So you have to run it through the raid controller card.
1430414
Nope, it's a disk enclosure with a pci-e card. Nothing network related about it at all.
1430415
No, it has no Ethernet or wireless connection of its own, only e-sata so it needs the card and a computer.
1430416
No you cannot. This is not a NAS, you cannot use it as a NAS, it has no ethernet port. Think of it as a box with an external drive connected to your PC except in this box you can have up to 8 drives and configure them in some RAID class.
1430417
It needs an esata interface. Lots of them (especially the ones built into motherboards) are buggy or don't perform well. So I have an addon card.
1430418
This is not a NAS it is a RAID so no you cannot use it without the card unless you hook it to a computer with other external sata ports. It does always require a system to work.
1122973
How do you have this hooked up to the unit? If USB, make sure that you don't have an internal drive in the unit. If Ethernet, have you logged on to the NAS? Have you shared the shares? - Does the AIOS have the permissions to see them?
1611104
This is diskless - just be sure to get HD's that are made for NAS (Seegate ST4000VN000, WD WD40EFRX, etc) do not use energy savers or spin down disks, it will cause havoc on your RAID integrity. So plz do read what drives are supported and are recommended. I put the ST4000VN000, in all of my devices, works great.
230091
No. You can use the built in "software RAID" that windows 7/2008 etc provide. But the card itself doesn't contain RAID. It's strictly a card for adding SATA ports. So, if your motherboard supports RAID, there isn't a reason for this card unless you just need additional SATA ports, or if you need a card that provides faster SATA connections than what your motherboard supports.
1451883
This is a set it and forget it NAS. Needs not be re-imaged. And for the price you will pay for this unit, you are better off buying a used case, sticking 4 4TB drives in it and getting a USB flash drive and calling it a night. Thats what I did using Synology's free version of their NAS and sofar its working great. Over 150 days up. I sold this unit last year with over two years of trouble free service. The only reason I sold it was because it was too small for my growing needs. So to answer your question. Not sure. But its also not needed.
1745370
The maximum amount of drives that I was able to hook up without any other cards is 3... An SSD for the OS, 2 HDD for storage. I'm not too familiar with RAID setups, but I think you may need a separate RAID controller.
663715
Use the Non-raid drivers. Don't bother using the PCI-e cards raid. It's complete garbage. If you're using Linux, use mdadm and LVM, if you're using windows use either the Dynamic Disks Strip or Storage Spaces. I leave the drives in Legacy mode using the mentioned driver, DrivePool to put them all together, and SnapRaid for backup. I gave up on any sort of raid a long time ago. There is NO way to get the data back should you loose a drive (raid 1 case.)
1993988
I have 4 x 6TB drives, 4 x 5TB drives driven by this card. There is no issue. I have no clue what post from t4d is about. Don't believe such non-sense. Enterprise networking is my bread and butter.
1292123
Hi Carlos, I use an usb external HDD (1T) as storage, never try with nas, for me is an awesome software , I have 4 cameras continually recording.
1160255
This card doesn't actually do RAID (it's all done in software) so there is not really any restriction in how you can use it. For instance I used mine with 4 drives connected to this card and another to the on-board controller, for a total of 5 drives in the array.
2259009
I use it into a NAS as it is designed to run 24/2h every day. But it should work into a desktop, provided this desktop runs an operating system able to handle 4 Giga bytes disc drive. But in such conditions it is perhaps a bit luxuous to use such a powerfull device.
700392
This card is not capable of Hardware RAID configurations. If you were previously using your motherboard for that functionality then you will lose it when you move over your hard drives to this card. If you still want to keep some form of RAID then you could look into Software RAID. Windows 7 has this functionality built in. Just keep in mind that Software RAID does not perform as fast as Hardware RAID and I don't recommend it unless it's your only option or you just need it for data redundancy. Remember to back up your data if you are going to try and setup a Software RAID on your existing drives! Good luck. This card is not capable of Hardware RAID configurations. If you were previously using your motherboard for that functionality then you will lose it when you move over your hard drives to this card. If you still want to keep some form of RAID then you could look into Software RAID. Windows 7 has this functionality built in. Just keep in mind that Software RAID does not perform as fast as Hardware RAID and I don't recommend it unless it's your only option or you just need it for data redundancy. Remember to back up your data if you are going to try and setup a Software RAID on your existing... » Read More This card is not capable of Hardware RAID configurations. If you were previously using your motherboard for that functionality then you will lose it when you move over your hard drives to this card. If you still want to keep some form of RAID then you could look into Software RAID. Windows 7 has this functionality built in. Just keep in mind that Software RAID does not perform as fast as Hardware RAID and I don't recommend it unless it's your only option or you just need it for data redundancy. Remember to back up your data if you are going to try and setup a Software RAID on your existing drives! Good luck. « Show Less
184227
Price?? This is cheap compared to my Synology NAS that I use for shared storage. This particular device is great for network storage or as a backup device for a 1:many scenario. It is not difficult to setup, just read the documentation. I have had mine running now for 2 years without a hiccup. If you have problems call tech support up. The tricky part is understand one has to claim a volume before one can use it.
399560
yes you can. I am currently running two of the 4 TB NAS drives from Seagate and I left the others empty. The device is scalable in that way however you will need to backup data on your current drive if you later want the added performance or redundancy of adding it to a RAID array.
1824429
It is not really a NAS in my estimation since it is really for working on large files across a network. Additionally, the RAID element of it is not really terribly "safe". I returned mine and got a Drobo instead for the hot-swappable no data loss aspect to it. I run a busy multimedia studio that, in addition to other services, offers photography and video for our corporate clients. I use the Drobo for this purpose and it works great with 5 people accessing the Drobo 5N.
1028214
Hey Taylor, I am currently running 4 4GB WD drives and almost the same config as you for FreeNAS. I decided on 1333 Mhz memory since the price wasn't that much different. I have 3 of these sytems running ESXi 5.5. Great motherboards IMO.
2062748
All NAS manufacturers recommend a list of hard drives to be used with their NAS. But I have been using hard drives from WD only but different models. I am using on my own risk and you certainly need to do it on your own too.I use exclusively for audio and video in my network (no documents or backup). Green drives with 5400 is OK for me to stream 15GB HD movies.