Don’t Get a Drobo Build a Server

Don’t Get a Drobo (Build a Server) is a post by Ian Aleksander Adams, who states:

…I’ve also recommended the Drobo product in the past. After lengthy use, I’m revoking my recommendation entirely.

Make some kind of home server out of an old shell or buy something that doesn’t use a proprietary data format. Yes, the little “storage robot” is easy, but it is also practically impossible to troubleshoot on your own. The Drobo worked (on and off), but once the warranty is out (and you can only renew – with paying – for three years), all they will tell you to do is buy a new one if your unit fails. Even if the failing unit hasn’t accidentally destroyed your data, the hard drives and all your data are useless until you give in and buy a new unit.

Instead Ian recommends to just build a small tower server and set it up with either Amahi, Ubuntu, or Windows Home Server, because as Ian states:

When the damn thing dies (and it will), you can figure out what part to replace or at least access your drives

Ian’s post is available here.

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