Recommendations for a two disc NAS with gigabit network connection

[#1]

As per the title as I am looking to replace an XP computer with a laptop with SSD which will be connected to an external monitor and possibly an external keyboard and want to use an external hard drive with the second as a backup for the first

Of  course I may well be going down the wrong track altogether

Title fixed

[#2]

Do you actually mean NAS in the title?

I know budget is a huge consideration but I'd go for a QNAP or Synology type device. Not only do you get the storage and the redundancy from the RAID (assuming it's configured that way) but you can install Apps to manage security cameras, DNS, Media Servers so you get more value for your money.

[#3]

+1 for Synology. I've been running a 4 bay one for years.

[#4]

I may be missing something but both suggestions are a NAS (network attached storage)

[#5]

What is a 2 disc NAT?

[#6]

I intended to ask about a 2 bay NAS into which I would install two drives - probably 2TB each

[#7]

@DaveyH - I run one of these.

[#8]

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@Oldjim wrote:

I intended to ask about a 2 bay NAS into which I would install two drives - probably 2TB each

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And that's what I provided in the link a 2 disk NAS, so I'm a bit confused as to this:

@Oldjim wrote:

I may be missing something but both suggestions are a NAS (network attached storage)

[#9]

Ah, it was a typo!

I was going to add +1 for QNAP as that is what I have alongside an older WD Mybook Live Duo.

[#10]

Would this be a good time to mention a cheap and cheerful raspi with 2 usb drives plugged in? 

[#11]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@DaveyH - I run one of these.

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The downside to those is the Atom C2xxx series bug that bricks units using that chip family (across all manufacturers).

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/06/cisco_intel_decline_to_link_product_warning_to_faulty_chip/

I actually skipped getting a Supermicro board for my home server using that chip and am glad I did. Went with a second hand Xeon system. Uses a hell of a lot more power, but it's a hell of a lot more powerful too. Synology's response to the bug back when it was found, wasn't too good I don't think either. Kind of "we're not seeing problems, so problems don't exist". But it's a bug that will eventually brick everything with affected chips.

[#12]

That was something I was unaware of @Anonymous so thanks for bringing it to my attention. As soon as Plusnet fix the routing issue I will raise this with Synology myself it will be interesting to see what they have to say.

[#13]

I am involved with a Hospital radio station, and we use a Synology NAS to hold our audio. It sends an email each month with a status report, and it still reports zero problems. Make sure you use a NAS-grade drive (eg WD reds).

As others have said, the Synology also lets you run many other things on it: we use the VPN and the DNS server.

There is an emulation of the web interface you can try on their website.

There's quite a range of products.... different interfaces, different CPU / RAM.... they have a comparison too to help.

[#14]

Talking about emulators, a QNAP one can be found here.

[#15]

I've been using a QNAP TS-212 for a while.