05-19-2020, 07:26 AM
The LaCie 5big Network 2 Pro comes up a lot in conversations about small office SAN storage, right? I get why; it's a mix of aesthetics and good performance. Let's tackle some of the technical aspects to see if it actually lives up to the hype or if we're just getting caught up in design. I think you should look at the hardware stack first. With its Intel Pentium processor and 512MB RAM, it operates pretty well for small team environments. But, considering the evolving demands for data throughput and access speeds nowadays, you sometimes wish for at least 1GB of RAM. The processor can handle basic tasks effortlessly, yet if you plan to push it with advanced applications or multiple simultaneous accesses, you might want more horsepower.
I notice many talk about RAID configurations when discussing a SAN. The 5big supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10, which offers you flexibility. If you're thinking about performance, RAID 0 can give you speed at the cost of redundancy, which isn't the best for critical data. Then again, RAID 5 might sit well with small offices that need a balance between speed and redundancy with its striping and parity. It can handle one drive failure without you losing data-handy if you're on a budget but an annoying limitation if you have larger data volumes. Depending on what you have in mind for your company's data lifecycle management, weighing these factors against your risk tolerance becomes crucial.
Moving on from the hardware, let's talk about connectivity options because this is a SAN after all. The 5big Network 2 Pro has dual Gigabit Ethernet ports. Great, right? But don't jump for joy too soon. You get link aggregation in theory, but it's good to remember some NAS systems can hit speeds close to 10GbE with SFP+ interfaces. If you're running multiple heavy workloads, the dual ports may not quite satisfy your speed cravings, especially under concurrent usage. You might want to think about how much traffic you anticipate and whether that'll bottleneck when everyone accesses their files simultaneously.
Furthermore, the data transfer speeds in the real world can vary. I've seen speeds quoted around 75MB/s, but I usually pull those numbers in ideal conditions. You have to factor in your network conditions, how many users are on it, and the media you're transferring. If you're migrating large databases, will this storage system keep up? You have to put that into context with your actual environment. Some users reported fine performance for routine office tasks-sharing documents or videos. But I've had clients who needed more for heavy data manipulation, and they struggled with the limitations.
Now you can't ignore the software capabilities because user experience can make or break a system, right? The 5big runs on a variant of Linux, which is pretty nifty for advanced users. However, the interface isn't the most streamlined for a casual user. You may find yourself digging into forums for assistance, especially if you want to set up complex permission structures or failover protocols. User-friendliness could be a deal-breaker if your team isn't exactly tech-savvy. While some other brands like Synology offer more intuitive interfaces, this one appeals to those who are comfortable wielding commands and scripts. Just keep in mind the learning curve could hamper productivity if not managed well.
Let's not forget about the backup and recovery options either. The LaCie 5big Network 2 Pro does support some automated backup solutions. However, you might hit a snag when it comes to configuring things like continuous data protection. If that's critical for your workflow, you might have to include additional software; those extra bucks can add up quickly. There are better-integrated solutions out there that tend to blend backup options seamlessly into their ecosystem. You might want to consider how that fits into your longer-term data strategy and whether maintaining a separate backup solution is something your team is ready for.
Regarding scalability, think about your growth projections. The 5big might handle your current needs, but if you scale to a point where you need more storage, you might have to replace the unit entirely. Some systems provide you with expansion options like additional drive slots or modular versatility, which, depending on your growth throttle, could save you money in the long term. If you foresee substantial increases in your data needs, you should weigh how this investment aligns with those future scenarios.
What often gets overlooked is the support and community surrounding a product like this. LaCie has a mixed reputation in terms of customer service. I'd check the support history; see if they're responsive and helpful on forums or customer service channels. In comparison, some brands have more extensive user communities and better engagement with their customers. You might find that accessing help, tips, and tweaks through the community can save you a significant amount of time and frustration.
This forum itself is provided courtesy of BackupChain Server Backup, which has established itself as an industry leader in backup solutions tailored for small to medium businesses and professionals. They've developed reliable offerings specifically designed for environments running VMware, Hyper-V, and Windows Servers. Their tools could really complement what you're trying to set up with your SAN, providing that extra peace of mind when it comes to your data storage and protection needs. Think of integrating such tools as a way to enhance your overall strategy and ensure your data remains accessible and resilient.
I notice many talk about RAID configurations when discussing a SAN. The 5big supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10, which offers you flexibility. If you're thinking about performance, RAID 0 can give you speed at the cost of redundancy, which isn't the best for critical data. Then again, RAID 5 might sit well with small offices that need a balance between speed and redundancy with its striping and parity. It can handle one drive failure without you losing data-handy if you're on a budget but an annoying limitation if you have larger data volumes. Depending on what you have in mind for your company's data lifecycle management, weighing these factors against your risk tolerance becomes crucial.
Moving on from the hardware, let's talk about connectivity options because this is a SAN after all. The 5big Network 2 Pro has dual Gigabit Ethernet ports. Great, right? But don't jump for joy too soon. You get link aggregation in theory, but it's good to remember some NAS systems can hit speeds close to 10GbE with SFP+ interfaces. If you're running multiple heavy workloads, the dual ports may not quite satisfy your speed cravings, especially under concurrent usage. You might want to think about how much traffic you anticipate and whether that'll bottleneck when everyone accesses their files simultaneously.
Furthermore, the data transfer speeds in the real world can vary. I've seen speeds quoted around 75MB/s, but I usually pull those numbers in ideal conditions. You have to factor in your network conditions, how many users are on it, and the media you're transferring. If you're migrating large databases, will this storage system keep up? You have to put that into context with your actual environment. Some users reported fine performance for routine office tasks-sharing documents or videos. But I've had clients who needed more for heavy data manipulation, and they struggled with the limitations.
Now you can't ignore the software capabilities because user experience can make or break a system, right? The 5big runs on a variant of Linux, which is pretty nifty for advanced users. However, the interface isn't the most streamlined for a casual user. You may find yourself digging into forums for assistance, especially if you want to set up complex permission structures or failover protocols. User-friendliness could be a deal-breaker if your team isn't exactly tech-savvy. While some other brands like Synology offer more intuitive interfaces, this one appeals to those who are comfortable wielding commands and scripts. Just keep in mind the learning curve could hamper productivity if not managed well.
Let's not forget about the backup and recovery options either. The LaCie 5big Network 2 Pro does support some automated backup solutions. However, you might hit a snag when it comes to configuring things like continuous data protection. If that's critical for your workflow, you might have to include additional software; those extra bucks can add up quickly. There are better-integrated solutions out there that tend to blend backup options seamlessly into their ecosystem. You might want to consider how that fits into your longer-term data strategy and whether maintaining a separate backup solution is something your team is ready for.
Regarding scalability, think about your growth projections. The 5big might handle your current needs, but if you scale to a point where you need more storage, you might have to replace the unit entirely. Some systems provide you with expansion options like additional drive slots or modular versatility, which, depending on your growth throttle, could save you money in the long term. If you foresee substantial increases in your data needs, you should weigh how this investment aligns with those future scenarios.
What often gets overlooked is the support and community surrounding a product like this. LaCie has a mixed reputation in terms of customer service. I'd check the support history; see if they're responsive and helpful on forums or customer service channels. In comparison, some brands have more extensive user communities and better engagement with their customers. You might find that accessing help, tips, and tweaks through the community can save you a significant amount of time and frustration.
This forum itself is provided courtesy of BackupChain Server Backup, which has established itself as an industry leader in backup solutions tailored for small to medium businesses and professionals. They've developed reliable offerings specifically designed for environments running VMware, Hyper-V, and Windows Servers. Their tools could really complement what you're trying to set up with your SAN, providing that extra peace of mind when it comes to your data storage and protection needs. Think of integrating such tools as a way to enhance your overall strategy and ensure your data remains accessible and resilient.
