What virtualization platforms/disk image formats are supported?
I've been retiring old computers by imaging the drive and storing it on my NAS so I can dig around inside if I need to recover something; being able to instead run them as VMs on the NAS instead sounds attractive. While I'm not planning on replacing my current server for another ~18 months, this feature is making QNAP look really attractive and (assuming it doesn't cause problems in the short term) switching my archival images to a format it can use sounds appealing.
Awesome and timely article. It seems like the HS-251 could be a cost-effective combo NAS and HTPC, depending on how it actually performs. Can it handle running Windows 7 or 8 in a VM? Looking for a way to foobar2000.
Neat, but I think its hamstrung by CPU / RAM. Don't know the pricing for sure but based on previous prices for ARM/Atom based solutions, getting only a celeron and up to 8Gb makes it close but no cigar compared to either a HP NL54 or a home built rig.
And lets face it, anyone interested in virt is going to be in the enthusiast crowd, and more than capable of building their own NL54 and/or custom rig.
Unless their pricing is very good - which, if going by previous pricing for atom / ARM based models - is not even in the same car park (let alone ball park) of the grunt you'd get from an equivalent custom build.
For customers who want virt, click-click-click it-just-works is going to be less of a draw hence less willing to pay the premium IMO.
Why buy expensive QNAP or Synology, when there's intel NUC or cubietruck, where one could have a full-blown windows/linux. In fact, you get for ~140$ a NAS with a single-core 1 Ghz Marvell, 128-256 RAM, where cubie for 100$ has 2 GB RAM, dual-core 1 Ghz ARM, NUC - dula-core atom x86, other platforms - even celeron etc. etc.
So, how, exactly do you fit 4x3.5" drives in a NUC or a Cubieboard? Oh, that's right, you don't.
I used to run a home server, either Windows Server 2012 or FreeNAS. How I use a cheap Synology (213j) that stores all my files, serves my media, runs my SQL database fro XBMC, runs NZBDrone, NZBGet, Transmission, DNS, DHCP, Crashplan, and a few other things. All on a weedy single core CPU that fell out of a microwave. The good thing about it is, it just works. I never need to look at it, it just runs happily on a shelf in the hallway. It does all that using less than 20W, which is a hard ask for a homebuild server.
I spend all day at work up to my elbows in server hardware and Windows and Linux server OS, when I get home I just want something that works, which my low-end consumer NAS does.
Thank's for your post, I have been looking at setting up my own HTPC and tossing up between these QNAP and NUC's. You post makes a lot of sense, so I think rather than fork out a bunch for one of these shiny new QNAP's that do look great and are an all in one package I think I will go along the lines of purchasing NUC and then setting up a cheap NAS with no lights and whistles.
Jozzy, what equipment you ultimately decide upon is a very subjective process. Everyone has certain objectives they want to accomplish, and a budget limit to accomplish said objectives. For myself, as stated above, I want to have the dual function of a backup-NAS and HTPC. Being fanless and quiet too, this is perfect (for me).
Completey agree, ValleyForge. I own the Synology 1513+ and also want something that just works. There are a lot of geek types that like to do their own BYO type of systems. But is seems those types are in it more for the tinkertoying aspect of a NAS rather then using it for what it is designed for. Namely, serve. Currently I back up to a second smaller 2-bay Synology (DS213) which I am now seriously thinking to replace with this HS-251. In addition to replacing my DS213 as a fallback, secondary NAS backup roll , I gain the plus-alpha of being able to place it in the fronteoom as an HTPC device as well. Does double duty.
Checked it out at Amazon U.S. Price: $549.00 USD as of July 2, 2014 @ 11:35 AM
Any plans to review these units? Especially the HS-251; I'm really interested in buying one but noone has reviewed it yet (not even on Amazon) so I'm holding off my purchase until one arrives.
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DanNeely - Friday, June 13, 2014 - link
What virtualization platforms/disk image formats are supported?I've been retiring old computers by imaging the drive and storing it on my NAS so I can dig around inside if I need to recover something; being able to instead run them as VMs on the NAS instead sounds attractive. While I'm not planning on replacing my current server for another ~18 months, this feature is making QNAP look really attractive and (assuming it doesn't cause problems in the short term) switching my archival images to a format it can use sounds appealing.
isa - Friday, June 13, 2014 - link
Awesome and timely article. It seems like the HS-251 could be a cost-effective combo NAS and HTPC, depending on how it actually performs. Can it handle running Windows 7 or 8 in a VM? Looking for a way to foobar2000.Grit - Friday, June 13, 2014 - link
I'd love to see a rough release date. I'm ready to purchase a NAS and the TS-451 seems like what I'd want. Did they give pricing?wintermute000 - Friday, June 13, 2014 - link
Neat, but I think its hamstrung by CPU / RAM. Don't know the pricing for sure but based on previous prices for ARM/Atom based solutions, getting only a celeron and up to 8Gb makes it close but no cigar compared to either a HP NL54 or a home built rig.And lets face it, anyone interested in virt is going to be in the enthusiast crowd, and more than capable of building their own NL54 and/or custom rig.
Unless their pricing is very good - which, if going by previous pricing for atom / ARM based models - is not even in the same car park (let alone ball park) of the grunt you'd get from an equivalent custom build.
For customers who want virt, click-click-click it-just-works is going to be less of a draw hence less willing to pay the premium IMO.
roman.md - Saturday, June 14, 2014 - link
Why buy expensive QNAP or Synology, when there's intel NUC or cubietruck, where one could have a full-blown windows/linux. In fact, you get for ~140$ a NAS with a single-core 1 Ghz Marvell, 128-256 RAM, where cubie for 100$ has 2 GB RAM, dual-core 1 Ghz ARM, NUC - dula-core atom x86, other platforms - even celeron etc. etc.Valleyforge - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link
So, how, exactly do you fit 4x3.5" drives in a NUC or a Cubieboard? Oh, that's right, you don't.I used to run a home server, either Windows Server 2012 or FreeNAS. How I use a cheap Synology (213j) that stores all my files, serves my media, runs my SQL database fro XBMC, runs NZBDrone, NZBGet, Transmission, DNS, DHCP, Crashplan, and a few other things. All on a weedy single core CPU that fell out of a microwave. The good thing about it is, it just works. I never need to look at it, it just runs happily on a shelf in the hallway. It does all that using less than 20W, which is a hard ask for a homebuild server.
I spend all day at work up to my elbows in server hardware and Windows and Linux server OS, when I get home I just want something that works, which my low-end consumer NAS does.
Jozzy - Monday, June 30, 2014 - link
Thank's for your post, I have been looking at setting up my own HTPC and tossing up between these QNAP and NUC's. You post makes a lot of sense, so I think rather than fork out a bunch for one of these shiny new QNAP's that do look great and are an all in one package I think I will go along the lines of purchasing NUC and then setting up a cheap NAS with no lights and whistles.Recommendations are welcome!
tokyojerry - Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - link
Jozzy, what equipment you ultimately decide upon is a very subjective process. Everyone has certain objectives they want to accomplish, and a budget limit to accomplish said objectives. For myself, as stated above, I want to have the dual function of a backup-NAS and HTPC. Being fanless and quiet too, this is perfect (for me).tokyojerry - Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - link
Completey agree, ValleyForge. I own the Synology 1513+ and also want something that just works. There are a lot of geek types that like to do their own BYO type of systems. But is seems those types are in it more for the tinkertoying aspect of a NAS rather then using it for what it is designed for. Namely, serve. Currently I back up to a second smaller 2-bay Synology (DS213) which I am now seriously thinking to replace with this HS-251. In addition to replacing my DS213 as a fallback, secondary NAS backup roll , I gain the plus-alpha of being able to place it in the fronteoom as an HTPC device as well. Does double duty.Checked it out at Amazon U.S. Price: $549.00 USD as of July 2, 2014 @ 11:35 AM
Eqweytr - Thursday, July 24, 2014 - link
Any plans to review these units? Especially the HS-251; I'm really interested in buying one but noone has reviewed it yet (not even on Amazon) so I'm holding off my purchase until one arrives.edward1987 - Thursday, September 8, 2016 - link
What do you think about New TS-251A and TS-451A DAS/NAS with SD card slot?