Thread: Use of NAS for Network Storage Solution in private folders

. Hi guys,
I am looking for a network storage solution for the users to have an access to private folders which are been across our LAN so that they can also store their files on it.

Here's a quick rundown of the setup:
a) about 75 XP Workstations
b) networked making use of Static IP, NOT on a domain-- these are for the mainly part separated cloned workstations by using the Deep Freeze.
c) Probably there are about 150-200 users who are demanding for a private storage across the LAN.
d) Online storage is not the solutions for the problem given that our internets potential are also very poor due to our remote location.
e) Already having a debian samba server which is sharing up the public mounts to the LAN

Now I also looking for something which is easy to complete this job. I also know one way which is to do a samba pdc and then join a domain for it, and the users may then have all the private storage which required by them. Though in our particular situation it is overkill to go to a domain for just to do this. What is a NAS solution? Are there NAS products out which might permit me to set up the 100 or 200 individual username/password accounts to individual private folders on a NAS and users can access from across the LAN?

The cost is not a restrictive factor for buying the NAS products.... we also have a decent budget for the total solution, and the easier way.

Any suggestions are welcome.

I'd believe a server will definitely help you out, I also think that the 75 workstations are a bit much for then most of the NAS boxes.

Have you checked the device which is like the Netgear Ready NAS NV+? I’m too having the Ready NAS Duo and it is working fine in our small LAN i.e. about 20 user environments in it. For the NV+, this is what the Netgear producer is saying about the users and groups...

What is the maximum number of users and groups which are been on the Ready NAS? There is also a limit of 32,000 users and 32,000 groups, but, depending on the application, the Ready NAS will also support from 1 to 20 concurrent users on the LAN. For a large video files, the Ready NAS can also stream up to the 4 HD-quality video without providing frame drops on it. For Microsoft Office-type applications, the Ready NAS will also grip as many as concurrent users.

Hope that helps you....