NAS vs. NDAS

[deckeda]

I've started reading about using a NAS to serve and share an iTunes library. Seems that NDAS might have some advantage instead since it mounts a volume right on the desktop, but I haven't found as much to read about NDAS. I know you need a driver on each Mac, but that's about it.

[microchip13]

sorry, but what is a ndas?

[timg]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Dir...ed_Storage

[clay]

http://www.ximeta.com/web/technology/nda...ie1_en.php

[Silencio]

NAS can also mount a volume on your desktop. Pretty much all of them support SMB connections. Most desktop NAS units support AFP, though not all of them support AFP 3, which provides support for long file names and special characters and all of that.

[space-time]

I think on some NDAS devices, only one computer can access the drive at any time. You need to diconnect computer A in order to connect computer B to the same drive. But I could be wrong.

[M A V I C]

NDAS requires special client software to be installed to be used. Not worth it, IMHO.

[Sam3]

Only one computer can write to a NDAS drive is another complaint that I have with the above ones. Nowadays, multiple computers can read off of one NDAS drive.

I have a Ximeta, I thought it was a cool idea until I received it and I started playing with it. Currently I just use it as a USB drive. Also, they seem to think of Mac users as an afterthought. Windows gets software updates first. Mac, sometimes never.

[DavidS]

[quote Sam3]Only one computer can write to a NDAS drive is another complaint that I have with the above ones. Nowadays, multiple computers can read off of one NDAS drive.

I have a Ximeta, I thought it was a cool idea until I received it and I started playing with it. Currently I just use it as a USB drive. Also, they seem to think of Mac users as an afterthought. Windows gets software updates first. Mac, sometimes never.
Ditto to everything Sam3 said. I bought one a year ago for $40 after rebate from Frys. They say the transfer rate is faster than NAS, but I wouldn't know b/c it's being used as an overpriced USB enclosure.

[deckeda]

Alrighty then. NAS it is. Now I just to do some homework and decide which one.

Goals, as I know them:

1) iTunes/iPhoto storage and servage, about 500GB with room to grow later. I can backup to conventional FireWire drive unless there's a two-drive enclosure that doesn't cost too much.

2) Must be able to be setup ACLs on it, unless iTunes doesn't care about permissions on network drives and have the thing generally behave for two users as if it was another drive hooked to the Mac that is setup with ACLs ...

3)

Most desktop NAS units support AFP, though not all of them support AFP 3, which provides support for long file names and special characters and all of that.[/qoute]

I want this maybe?

4) Should hold a SATA drive because I already have one, and because it's the future anyway.