Is NAS the right long term solution for home network?

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helpmehelpu

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Hi!
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and saving me pain in the future ($, mental, physical, etc.) :))

My pain point
I cannot access and edit large files, mainly RAW images, fast enough over my shared folders on my PC and external HDD via my WiFi. PC is in sleep mode and needs to wake up. Sometimes shared folders on PC will not show on my Macbook even after PC is awake unless I restart the PC. Wireless Printer is the same.

My goal
Access files from any machine in the home and from any room without sluggish experience. Also, print over my wireless printer without having to restart my printer or any machine.

Current situation
I am a photographer and have a lot of personal and clients' photos, which are on my desktop PC (config below). However, I don't work on my PC often since it is in my basement. I feel I am wasting the space. I want the flexibility to work from anywhere in the house.

Here's my setup
PC

  • ■CPU AMD|PH II X4 955 3.2G AM3 RT
    ■MB ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX AM3+ R
    ■MEM 4Gx2|GSKILL F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR
    ■HDD 1.5T|HITACHI HDS723015BLA642
    ■CASE IN WIN| DRAGON RIDER R
    ■PSU RAIDMAX | HYBRID2 RX-730SS 730W
    ■VGA ASUS EAH5770 CUCORE/2DI/1GD5
    ■TP-LINK TL-WDN3200 Wireless Card
    ■Win 10


External HDD (for backup)

  • ■WD 4TB My Book (currently used)
    ■Western Digital WEWDH1CS1000 1TB My Book Home Edition Triple Interface External Hard Drive (not used anymore)

Networking

  • ■Google Fiber (up to 1000 Mbps up/download)
    ■TP-LINK Archer C9 Router
    ■TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT
    ■TP-LINK AV1200 Powerline Adapter
    ■No Ethernet (Need to figure out how feasible it is to wire the house without making a mess)

Machines

  • ■PC running Win 10
    ■Macbook Pro Late 2011
    ■Lenovo Y50 running Win 10
    ■iPad Air 2
    ■iPhone 6s
    ■Samsung Note 4
    ■Apple TV
    ■Firestick
    ■Chromecast
    ■Printer Canon MX870 wireless

Questions

    ■How to setup a very good (if not great) home network?
    ■Can I upgrade anything above to serve my needs (edit photos from any machine from anywhere in the house without pulling hair over network issues)?
    ■Is NAS (Synology DS416play + 2 Seagate Ironwolf Pro 6TB in RAID 1 setup) the right answer?
    ■What's the best solution between $300-$1000?
    ■I am considering to replace PC with NAS and replace 2011 MBP with 2016/17 MBP.
    ■Backup is also important


Please help me decide. I understand technical stuff although I am not a networking expert. I dug 1 level deep into NAS and RAID levels in last 2-3 days :))

Thanks!
Dharmesh


 
Solution
USAFRet
If you have a router that outputs standard ethernet signal vuia RJ-45 ports, I can't see how the MOCA does not work.

It does not care about satellite, Dish, or however the signal comes into the house. It just cares about what comes out of the LAN port on the router.

If your PC can use it, the MOCA devices can use it.
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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First problem is WIFI. Large files from shared folders on WIFI is going to be unacceptable.
A NAS can be co-located with your router so that at least part of the path is ethernet.

Why two 6TB and RAID 1? The NAS is a 4 drive capable device. Are you thinking of expanding in the future ?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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A NAS, by itself, is not your answer.

A whole better setup, of which a NAS may be a part, is what is needed.

1. WiFi. Everything that can be wired, should be wired.
2. Your current PC. Rather lacking, and in the basement. The single worst place in the house to connect to via WiFi.
3. Your proposed NAS setup, but we can go into that later.
 
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helpmehelpu

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@kanewolf - If I can co-locate my NAS and have a wired connection to my router then I will do that. NAS may be in my entertainment center since my router and modem location is in my basement behind the TV. I know it's crappy but I cannot change it unfortunately. Will NAS in the entertainment center cause wifi connectivity issues? I may have to test.
You are right. I will be expanding in the future. Right now 2 6TB drives should be plenty. I have noticed that on an avg I have 1 TB of data (images, videos, etc.) collected in a year. It may increase but not decrease as my photography grows.

@USAFRet - Assuming I can have a wired connection between NAS and router what do you recommend? WiFi is an issue and I don't know how to solve it without installing ethernet across the house.

Thanks for taking time to reply.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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No, the NAS box in the entertainment center will not affect your WiFi situation.
That's where I have mine.

I have a Qnap TS-453a, and it can do HTPC duties all by itself. HDMI direct out to the TV or receiver.

But your larger issue is of trying to do all your image editing via WiFi, from a poor location in the house.
Time to consider laying some ethernet, and maybe a couple of access points around the house in better locations.
 
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helpmehelpu

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That's a powerful NAS storage :)

I am not sure if ethernet is going to be possible. That would be ideal. Do Access Points need to be ceiling mounted? Can I connect Access Points to Powerline Adapters?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Access points don't need to be ceiling mounted.
Yes, you can plug an access point into a powerline adapter. Some powerline adapters are also WiFi sources.
 
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helpmehelpu

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Awesome! My powerline adapters are wifi sources. Will my WiFi improve if I add access points? Considering Ubiquiti https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-802-11ac-Dual-Radio-UAP-AC-PRO-US/dp/B015PRO512/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496847336&sr=8-1&keywords=unifi+ap+ac+pro
or
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-LR-Networks-Enterprise-System/dp/B015PRCBBI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496847406&sr=8-1&keywords=unifi+ap+ac+lr

Bigger question is will these improve my Wifi since I already have Powerline Adapters?

If I cannot install ethernet throughout the house what's my best option/setup?

    ■ Keep Desktop as-is and only upgrade internal HDD. Then use Windows file sharing to share files.
    ■ Replace Desktop with NAS (wired to the router) and add access points and/or more powerline adapters.
    ■ Bang head on the wall :))


Thanks!
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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If you already have powerline networking and they are already WIFI enabled, adding more access points may not improve performance.

Do you have unused coax cabling in the house? MOCA networking could be an option if you have unused coax. Paying a professional low voltage cable installer may be the best answer. They can get etherent cables into places you never thought possible.
 
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helpmehelpu

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Cool, you may have saved me $$ :D

First time I have heard about MOCA. I will check it out. Will you please briefly explain how that works to make sure I pick the right location as I have a few unused coax locations?

I will get some estimates from a professional low voltage cable installer. I was struggling what they are called :)

More research to do :)

So once I figure out this ethernet vs wifi, what's your recommended setup to achieve my goals?

 
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helpmehelpu

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Thanks! I will check it out.

@USAFRet and @kanewolf

Please let me know if this would be the right solution

    ■ Install ethernet (directly or via MOCA) around the house as much as possible.
    ■ Replace PC with NAS setup (Synology DS416play and 2 Seagate 6TB Ironwolf Pro @7200 RPM and 256MB cache).
    ■ When editing, connect laptops to ethernet (via MOCA).
    ■ Connect all media devices like Apple TV via ethernet.


 
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helpmehelpu

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Guess what. I have DISH and Actiontec MOCA adapters don't work with satellite. Nowhere I could find if Actiontec was even compatible with Google Fiber. MOCA is mostly ruled out.

My 2 powerline adapters, which I thought were Wifi capable are ethernet only (probably why my wifi sucks in upper level rooms).

Called a few places to give me an estimate to install ethernet. Let's see.

I'm now looking into Eero, Orbi, or Google Wifi instead of buying wifi ac powerline adapters.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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If you have a router that outputs standard ethernet signal vuia RJ-45 ports, I can't see how the MOCA does not work.

It does not care about satellite, Dish, or however the signal comes into the house. It just cares about what comes out of the LAN port on the router.

If your PC can use it, the MOCA devices can use it.
 
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