The Network Security Podcast, Episode 130

I think you should layer some Drobos behind an OpenSolaris box with ZFS pools containing the Drobos.  That way you get all kinds of reliability.  ;)

I agree in the sense of "less power efficient"—but not so much on the reliability.  Only because Drobo uses far less quality parts than I have in my actual backup solution—the MTBF is probably much shorter on the Drobo than the class of server that is running ZFS.  Form factor isn’‘t really an issue I guess from my perspective.  If it’s in the rack it’s out of sight anyway…  I’‘d rather have all my gear in one place than drives scattered all over the house.

Then again, your setup sounds completely different…

Heh- I wonder how many layers we could drop in with ZFS. It would almost be worth it to get a Hack-A-Day mention.

Yes- the drobo is getting moved to inside my desk, connected to the laptop (and desktop I might get later this year). I decided to stick with an external drive/backups for the server until we load it with enough content that we need to expand- then we’‘ll either go Drobo or ZFS. Heat/power are big deal the way I’‘m set up here, in large part due to the Phoenix climate. I had to install my own additional floor AC unit in the closet, and I think I’‘m going to have to call in the HVAC pros to do something more permanent (wife told me I’‘m not allowed to cut holes in roof for some reason). Hopefully solar will get more viable once Obama kicks into gear. AZ has terrible tax breaks considering we’‘re perfect for solar, and I’‘m hoping some of the more efficient tech we keep hearing about will make it into consumer panels. Would really love to go off the grid so I don’‘t have to worry as much about running all my toys.