http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com The Discussion Forums of SmallNetBuilder.com. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:18:49 GMT vBulletin 5 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2518&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:57:52 GMT Hello all, I rent a one bedrrom loft that shares a Wireless Internet connection via a Linksys Wireless-g 1348 with the main house some 100+ yards... Hello all,
I rent a one bedrrom loft that shares a Wireless Internet connection via a Linksys Wireless-g 1348 with the main house some 100+ yards away. Currently, I am using an USB adapter/antenna to stengthen the signal and data quality - up from a sparatic signal (of one bar) to a now 50+% signal and 83% quality (4 bars) connection.
My questions are:
Would I be able to obtain a better signal/quality connection if I purchased an additional Linksys Wireless Router (or something else) for my residence to connect to the USB adapter/antenna which would serve as some sort of an Access Point coonection?
Also, could I gain the benefit of getting a wireless signal to my laptop without being hardwired to the USB port on the laptop with this connection type? However, the biggest question is whether the reception quality of the signal would increase as well? Please advise. ]]> General Wireless Discussion greghar http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2518 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2517&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:01:23 GMT Hey folks, after lots of Reading i have decided against Qnap TS439-Pro and want to build a Nas from scratch. Following toughts and decisions... Hey folks,

after lots of Reading i have decided against Qnap TS439-Pro and want to build a Nas from scratch.

Following toughts and decisions are already done:

Case: Chenbro ES34069 (120W)
HDDs: 4x WD1500EADS (500GB Platter as i hope) (Used in Raid 5 SW Mode with mdadm.
1x WD Scorpio Blue 80GB (for OS)
Ram: 2x 2GB A-DATA Vitesta Extreme DDR 800 Ram (got this one cheaply secon hand)
OS: Ubuntu Server 8.04LTS (falls dieses schon ext4 unterstützt. Ansonsten 9.10 server)

The Question is: Which CPU / Board combination should i use? I would like something like the Intel Executive Series DQ45EK with an E5400 CPU.

With that Config i should have more Power ever needed for a good Raid 5 Performance. But when it comes to cooling i got a Problem:
The Heatsink supplied with the Chenbro is crap (in my Opinion). Next posibility would be the Stockcooler from Intel, which, as i read here, should fit in the Case. The Scythe Big Shuriken with 58mm height seems to be a bit too big for the case, so i will have to return it to the local vendor.

But what would be better: An Active cooling with the Intelcooler, or a passive cooling solution with the Scythe Cooler and 2 60mm Fans installed in the Front and the Top of the Case?

Alternative would be an Atom ION Platform with an Atom N330 Dual Core processor, but I'm not familiar with the Power of that Candidate for a raid 5 SW system.

Hope you could give me some advice.

PS: The NAS should be as quiet as possible. ]]> DIY KJaneway http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2517 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2516&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:59 GMT Hello, First, let me say this is a great site. I did a lot of research here before I made my purchase. I purchased a WD My Book World Edition... Hello,

First, let me say this is a great site. I did a lot of research here before I made my purchase.

I purchased a WD My Book World Edition II 4Tb NAS from Amazon ( $488.00 ) and installed it yesterday. It is not the fastest NAS, but seemed to be a reasonable compromise between speed and cost. I tested some file transfer speeds and it seems to more or less match the speeds listed in the NAS charts on this site. I am using an 8 port D-Link DGS-2208 GigaBit switch. I have a Macbook Pro and a Mac Mini ( used as media computer ) I have the 9000 Jumbo frames enabled on both macs. I have two other XP computers and they worked correctly with the new NAS as well.

My old NAS system was a pair of 320Gb Iomega USB drives attached to my USR 8200 VPN router ( Yea I still love the old gal ) so even though the WD NAS it is not up to the speed of the more expensive units it was a significant boost in transfer speed from my old system. I also needed to store files larger than what FAT32 can handle ( FAT & FAT32 are the only options in the old USR 8200 ) I am running it as a RAID 1 and will get a 2Tb USB drive to backup the WD NAS.

I was happy to see that there was a new firmware available that adds Apple Time Machine compatibility. I chose the auto firmware update in the WEB interface and it worked without a hitch. The two macs and Time Machine worked flawlessly with the WD. The new Firmware also allows for unattended downloads as well. No scheduled backups yet, but at least it added a few options.

I have a medium size mp3 music library and I put it on the NAS and enabled the iTune media severs and I could see it on the Macbook and Mini immediately. I was disappointed in that it did not seem to understand my m3u playlists I have in the shared music directory. The nNAS uses the Twonky media server 5.1 and after looking at their site, it may be a problem with this version of the server.

I anyone knows of a fix for the playlist, please let me know....

Anyway, I wanted to share my experience say thank for a great site...:D ]]> NAS Buying Advice sranger http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2516 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2515&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:22:03 GMT Sample here! (http://www.members.cox.net/albert.altech/projects/mediaslayer2br.png) Can be found here!... Sample here!

Can be found here! ]]> tipstir http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2515 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2514&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:07:55 GMT Sample found here! (http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1099/4465559/21344768/377411221.jpg) Can be found here!... Sample found here!

Can be found here! ]]> tipstir http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2514 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2513&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:10:28 GMT Hi All, Well, Im lost! Theres just so much out there to chose from! We need access points to compliment our wired set-up. I originally had... Hi All,

Well, Im lost! Theres just so much out there to chose from!

We need access points to compliment our wired set-up. I originally had looked at the netgear range-max access point but the latest model has bad reviews for reliability on Amazon.

Would we be better to spend a bit extra and purchase good routers, and switch of fthe routing, using them as access points?

The qualities I want for the access points are:

- Good range (doesnt need to be spectacular)
- Doesnt need to be n mode, g is fine
- Reliable, doesnt drop out all the time
- Not too expensive.
- just works well!!

Basically id like something that has a good reputation out there for - just working and not being a pain in the proverbial!

We will get 2 or three of whatever we choose, depending on the coverage we get.

I dont really want to get this wrong, so my question would be:

Is there any good recommendations for "just work" access points?

ANy pinters, gladly welcome!

Regards

Alan ]]> Wireless Buying Advice argint http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2513 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2512&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:53:58 GMT I'm looking to put an Intel 5300 in my Dell 640M. Certain eBay vendors state that their particular 5300 will only work in HP, IBM or Lenovo laptops. Is there any sort of BIOS locking in effect, or should any 5300 work in the 640M? ]]> General Wireless Discussion ABCarr http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2512 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2511&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:54:56 GMT I am seeking general NAS vendor advice.

I have notice many NAS distributors don't have stock on-hand and these devices must be ordered. I am concerned if I need to make a return for a defective unit I will have to pay return shipping and possibly a restocking fee (15-20%) if I am out of their 'return window' (15-30 days). After 30 days I am likely stuck dealing with a manufacturer based in Asia.

I like mail order, but these devices are a bit expensive to deal with the hassle of vendor policies.
Please advise, share experiences.
Thanks,
Z ]]> NAS Buying Advice zooman http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2511 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2510&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:46:24 GMT All, Anybody have any experience whether some of the 4HD NAS can support using their 2nd LAN port to connect directly to a second NAS as a backup... All,
Anybody have any experience whether some of the 4HD NAS can support using their 2nd LAN port to connect directly to a second NAS as a backup target?

The goal here would be to get the backup off of the main network and increase bandwidth for the backup activity. e.g. current network is 100baseT. I could run the second connection with 1GBit ethernet to speed backup.

Looking at QNAP, Synology, Thecus 4 bay units. Probably RAID 1 (src) to JBOD on target. Possibly only need 2bay target.

This is tied a bit to this thread:
http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2421

Thanks,
Z ]]> NAS Buying Advice zooman http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2510 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2509&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:23:10 GMT Hello all, I am looking for an alteranitive to my dying wrt54gl with dd-wrt. It drops packets and is extreamly slow. I am looking for a router... Hello all,

I am looking for an alteranitive to my dying wrt54gl with dd-wrt. It drops packets and is extreamly slow. I am looking for a router with high proformance and wont die in one year. I do alot of torrenting and heavy networking so i need somthing up to snuff and wont quit and burnout. I would like wireless support but it does not have to be N. I dont mind spending about 100-150 dollars if it is a quality poduct. Basicly, i am fed up with cheap 60 dollar consumer routers. ]]> Routers kidstar64 http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=2509