Sys Admins...Need cheap(ish) storage for multi-uses...NAS or iSCSI SAN?

[pc_load_letter]

Hi folks,

Wanted to get some thoughts and input on a storage solution I need for my department here on campus.

We currently have a mish-mash of jbods that hang off our servers for storage (primarily backups) that are all from various vendors.

I utilized StarWinds free iSCSI software to turn some of the storage into a poor mans iSCSI SAN and truth be told, for free software, it works pretty good.

Anyways, we are bursting at the seams and I want to get something that would allow me to retire all of our jbods.

I am thinking a hardware based iSCSI SAN from Aberdeen Inc. I can get a nice 2U, 24 bay device with 24TB for around $7200.

Alternately, they offer Windows NAS boxes for less money. I can get 24 TB of raw storage for around $5600. The campus has a pretty sweet licensing deal with MS so I can get Windows Storage Server for next to nothing.

I have messed with FreeNAS and while it is nice, not sure I want to go that route.

Anyways, anyone have any thought? Storage would be used for backups, databases, perhaps host some HyperV guests.

Thanks in advanced for your input.

[NYT]

whats your budget?

[pc_load_letter]

whats your budget?

Ideally, under 8k. Looking for best bang for buck.

[NYT]

Ideally, under 8k. Looking for best bang for buck.

best bang for your buck would be a storage array server more than likely running some sort of open source application.

i usually want a hands off option so i will typically pay more.

i would look at this if i had your budget.

https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/RS3614xs

[hi_desert]

This ...

best bang for your buck would be a storage array server more than likely running some sort of open source application.

i usually want a hands off option so i will typically pay more.

i would look at this if i had your budget.

https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/RS3614xs

[pc_load_letter]

Some Synology models look nice (https://www.synology.com/en-uk/products/)

Anyone have any experience with Drobo? Their enterprise product looks good.

[dscoduc]

There are several NAS solutions out there like Synology, Thecus, and Drobo which make great solutions. You could build a server and use Windows/FreeNAS/etc but the fit and finish on the NAS solutions out there are really hard to beat...

[NYT]

Some Synology models look nice (https://www.synology.com/en-uk/products/)

Anyone have any experience with Drobo? Their enterprise product looks good.

drobo is garbage.

[pc_load_letter]

drobo is garbage.

Thanks! Probably not going that direction. Heard a couple horror stories from some other guys on campus.

[NYT]

remember to get a san or nas with some sort of smart scsi. best would be two controllers with the scsi config on both, good would be one controller with config on drives and controller.

dont get a cheap one unless the raid config is stored in two locations. drobo doesnt do this at least from my experience.