Network storage or an inexpensive computer running Win7?

Question

Iron

For a small office (~20 computers running Win7/8/10) a general "file dump" is required with access through the usual Windows Explorer, i.e. something that will be defined as a regular mountable network folder or network drive. At first I wanted to choose some inexpensive NAS for these purposes (around 12-18 kilorubles), but since I have never worked with them before, it confuses in the description of such devices "Easy access to via the web interface". Question - is it possible to connect the network storage as a simple folder, without any "web faces and clouds"? The second question is which disks to choose. The volume of file storage is needed in the region of 1 TB, while normal file access speeds are desirable. But you also need the reliability of data storage, more precisely, it is a priority. Hence the question - a pair of terabyte SSDs like Samsung 860 in RAID 1, or still more reliable good HDD in the ride? And the third question (NAS alternative) - can it be better to use an old system unit for file storage (something like i5 2500, H67 chipset, Win7 pro) or it is better to build an ultra-budget from something new, like Ryzen 2200G, and install some kind of distribution Linux? If Linux, then how to "share" it in the grid for Windows?

Answer 1

Do not try to compile on Windows, compile on the FreeNAS operating system (Read about the OpenZFS file system and its advantages on the Internet). It is put on a flash drive from 16 GB, put at least 8 GB of RAM (preferably 16) , you can even find a percentage of Intel Atom. Take disks for NAS, for example, Seagate IronWolf or WD RED. Already in the system you will combine them into a soft raid - RaidZ. If there are 2 disks, then they will be in the mirror, if there are 3 disks, then raid-z1 (analogous to raid5) .
The access speed will depend on your network, we currently have a gigabit network, the read / write speed over SMB is 110-120 MB.s.
There are two such mini servers. I can help if needed!

Answer 2

I recommend OpenMediaVault. Easy to set up, lots of Russian documentation, plug-ins, steering wheel from your phone.