Posted 10/26/2008 at 04:54:06pm

You don't understand what NAS storage is. 

Sure you can run CIFS on Windows or NFS on Linux ... but think about the waste in doing that.  You have to install an entire OS which runs numerous services which eat up numerous resources, which require more hardware (CPU, Memory, Video [Vista] perspectives)which requires more $$$ --get the point now?  Then there's the whole OS competing for resources vs whatever is accessing your CIFS/NFS shares.  Not to mention, since FreeNAS runs the bare minimum of services, you have to manage less in the way of OS specifics and just deal with what's required --managing the storage! 

Also, FreeNAS can run on next to NOTHING for hardware.  So, unless you're streaming hi-def vid or have 300 people leveraging the thing as a shoutcast server, this box makes a LOT of sense for utilizing some old hardware just sitting around the house.

As for Software RAID --yea I wouldn't use it either. In fact, just get yourself a decent Adaptec storage controller and go with that --avoid FRAID (F-RAID, Fake RAID) cards.    

Posted 10/26/2008 at 04:24:49pm

I can see why you might not think this is a particularly earth shattering concept.  However, you need to take a look at exactly WHO this is targeted for and the potential advantages this technology would provide.  




First, this is for the Dell Latitude line which the last time I checked is Dell's BUSINESS line.  Therefore it seems logical that this isn't targeted for home users or people who CAN wait for 30 seconds OR MORE for a PC/Laptop to boot
 


Second, it makes perfect sense to have a system in which case a BUSINESS person can show up for a meeting and instantly load a PowerPoint presentation in a span of say 10 seconds vs. having to boot, login, find, load, and run the presenation.  




Looking at this from a home perspective I wouldn't be overly excited either, but perhaps you have zero business experience as there are OBVIOUS positives having something like this in a business machine.  I can't tell you how benficial this would be for someone in sales or marketing.