Rackmount NAS for photo editing (Photoshop) and time machine backups

Totally Mac based.

Deal with large layer files (Photoshop mainly) average 500mb plus? Kept mainly on an external 8Tb (4Tb Raid).
We also have various libraries of images kept on externals. Images that are still on our machines that need offing! Database system for images and art sold (Filemaker Pro). 

There’s probably 8-10Tb of files flying about at the moment, so need something that can be expandable as we’re only going to have more and bigger files!

We really need a central server that we can store everything on once we’ve finished them. Access off-site. Back up Macs. Maybe ability for clients to access certain files offline to download.

We’re in the process of moving and thought it would be an ideal time to sort this. Want it rack mounted as we’ll be getting a gigabit switch and phone system installed for the cupboard as well.

Want something that is reliable, run in RAID for safety and is expandable. It will mainly be used for transferring/backing up, so doesn’t need to be blazing fast. Won’t be working directly off of it when using large files!

Once you are moving you should consider 10GbE switch and CAT6a cabling. It is not that expensive as it used to be- it might add 100-200 to the total bill. Soon everyone will have to move to 10GbE as 1GbE is dying out due to its lack of speed. You also don’t need NAS with powerful CPU to be able to work on a 10GbE network. You could work directly from the NAS but even if you decide not to- transferring raw files to your editing computer will take much less time. Also, backups will be finished much quicker.

As you are not working on video projects you don’t need to get a NAS with a transcoding engine- this will also reduce the cost.

For an 8-10TB solution, you would be fine with a 4 bay rack in a RAID5 (one drive failure) or RAID6 (two drive failure) setup.

I would recomend TS-453BU with a 10GbE card bought seperately (around 100 single LAN or double , dual SFP ) or if you want 10Gbit ports built in than 31x or 32x series (comparison)

You can expand these NAS with UX-1200U-RP/UX-800U-RP expansion enclosures.

If you want a smart switch – cheapest seems to be buffalo Buffalo BS-MP2008 – 

Simple 10GbE without link aggregation could be Qnap switch QSW-804-4C

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