An Intel processor and 1GB non-ECC Ram provide some serious grunt for the RNDX400E, as it blasted its way past other Nas devices we’ve tested. Our test PC, Windows 7 running on an Intel QX9450 with 4GB Ram with a virtual Ram drive for transfers, showed the RNDX400E is much faster than many small-business Nas drives.
80Mbytes/sec read speeds are comfortably achieved in Raid 1
Longer bars are better
Write speeds show a big gap between X-Raid 2 and standard Raid volumes
Longer bars are better
Power consumption is pretty high with two disks, but spin down saves juice
Shorter bars are better
Netgear claims the default X-Raid 2 volume type is faster for larger sequential reads (i.e. bigger files) than Raid 5 but, with the 1GB files we tested with, Raid 0 and Raid 1 remain king. The big benefit of X-Raid 2 is extra disks can be added to the volume without the need to backup and restore existing data like you do with traditional Raid 5 arrays.
COMMENTS
NetGear ReadyNAS support
I was amused to read about all the initial setup issues you had - seems typical of user's experiences with the ReadyNAS systems.
But the real issue is NetGear's support. There doesn't appear to be any - though I note that jberger seems happy with it - maybe I've been going to the wrong places. All I could find was a user forum with endless problem reports and nearly all support coming from other users - very little visible activity from NetGear people at all.
So unless other users can say 'you get great support by going to xxxxx' I would advise against having anything to do with ReadyNAS systems at all.
Jberger - how and where did you get support?
NAS crazy
I struggle to understand the cost of even the most basic 4-disk NAS. So much so, I've just put together my own DIY 4-bay NAS based on the Atom and an ITX form case. Total cost - £200 inc VAT + delivery with a copy of FreeNAS. Not to mention it includes all the features this ReadyNAS is missing. Performs better, too.
Cost
I struggle with the cost of this unit when I can get a superior QNAP TS-439 Pro for similar or less money with all of it's features. Such a device has a lot going for it, is ready to go out of the box and is simple enough for anyone to understand. Low power consumption as well.
You need to remember that these are designed for minimum fuss, and have hot swappable drives etc. I doubt that a £200 DIY device would have equal capability with the QNAP although I'm willing for you to list it's spec and prices and prove me wrong.
I used to run an old tower as my file server etc using Ubuntu, webmin etc but got the arse with it's noise and power consumption although speed and uptime were never an issue. I wouldn't give up my QNAP for any DIY box though.
It's storage
It's storage, therefore it must be expensive.
Great NAS, too bad it gives you Bloody Knuckles
I've been bitten by the NVX as well, it's hard to imagine how stamped fan guard made it into production. It's nice that they included a handle, but why add the cheese grater style metal exactly in center of the handle.
We got a number of the NVX units in production with very good results. ReadyNAS builds a top quality product, but it is priced above most of it's competition. A low street price and less flesh hungry design would be a nice change.
To all those who compare these units with DIY JBOD units are missing the point. These units just work, are well supported and very well built business class devices.
