Drobo gets dev community and SDK beta: run UPnP, BitTorrent, and any other servers you want
by Ryan Block 
posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 2:54PM
The DroboApps themselves are compiled for Linux, stored on the Drobo, added via drag and drop into a simple directory on the file system, and run on the Linux-based DroboShare hardware (meaning you won't be able to take advantage of DroboApps with a bare Drobo). Exciting stuff for the storage geeks in the house, especially those looking for some of the extensibility of Microsoft's Windows Home Server platform
Filed under: Storage, Networking
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taylor @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:58PM
Wow, i might buy one now! :)
-Taylor
Danakin @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:03PM
OMG, it all comes down to price...
Danakin @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:15PM
on second though...screw this..."I would rather just use a real computer and have full control of everything" - Bob
j_g_puff @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:45PM
Well, that and the 'choice' of NTFS, FAT32 or HFS+...
BluesK1d @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:26AM
Yeah seriously. You are looking at something like at least $700 (with 2 decent drives) for an array that can only pump 22 MB/s according to their website. If they could speed it up to close to that of the speed of the slowest drive the value would increase. The bottom line is if I am paying $500 for a redundant BYOD (bring your own disks) system, it had better be quick and feature an eSATA connection.
team.amahi @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:05PM
A much more cost effective option is to use the open source home networking offering from www.amahi.org -- use your own hardware, and get all that Drobo offers (and more!)
DefPo3t @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:03PM
I'm sorry engadget but the people that will develop for this will more than like devolop add one for vlc before itunes. But I willing to wager both will get done
Blackstar @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:19PM
Don't forget ZFS.
Neil @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:13PM
Drobo's aren't cheap and if you also need additional hardware to use whatever software people develop for it you're looking at a lot of money. Hopefully the cost will come down given a bit of time, but right now it's too high....right now it might make more sense just to use an old computer as a linux server, that will be able to do all Drobo is hoping to be able to do.
team.amahi @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:04PM
Use your own "old" hardware --take a look at http://www.amahi.org -- open source software for running your home netowrk (with all the functionality of Drobo and more!)
KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:13PM
Still not what I want for my storage needs.
(no wifi, no HDMI out, and no big teats)
Getting close though.
Ben @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:28PM
Why would you need HDMI out for a data solution?
Chad @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:30PM
"no hdmi out"
WTF? it's a NAS that can stream to your PS3 which does have HDMI out. It sounds to me like what you want is a TIVO. Here, get one of these and a Popcorn Hour and viola!
KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:13PM
Still not what I want for my storage needs.
(no wifi, no HDMI out, and no big teats)
Getting close though.
Derek @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:18PM
Not only do you make a stupid comment, but you make it TWICE!
KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:52PM
I made the comment just for you Derek, and I had to post it twice because as everyone knows you never understand anything the first time.
tservo24 @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:19PM
I think $750 for a Drobo with 2x 1TB hard drives sounds like a pretty darned good price actually. Sure you could always DIY for cheaper, but I hope you enjoy living in your home built house with your kit car. I like nice homes and sweet cars. I REALLY hope someone develops iTunes! That would be friggin' awesome. VLC is a great idea too.
Is anyone reading this good enough to port Rsync over to DroboShare? I could use it to sync the Drobo I have at home and the one in the office without the need for the computer in the middle.
aestheticstorm @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:28PM
"home-built house"? *head explodes*
Johnny Unitas @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:29PM
How many of these stupid "My Drobo is so DOPE!" threads are we gonna see? The Drobo is OKAY as a straight up drive, but as an NAS (which is where all storage is headed) its a failure.
First, the ridiculously overpriced Drobo (it's BYOD, dontcha know) doesn't even support network access outright. You have to buy the network access attachment (pictured as the little platform in the picture). Then you have the fact that, becuase it's USB only, that device only takes a USB 2.0 connection... yes, that's right, your sweet little Drobo is inherantly network hobbled by the bandwidth limits of the USB port.
Basically Gen 2.0 of this thing might be okay, but there are plenty of better options on the market that do MORE and are cheaper. Take a look at the Synology DS-207+ if you're interested in a device that has uPnP, an iTunes server, a web server, bittorrent, is LAMP based, Raid 0/1/etc.
TheChaz @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:55PM
I totally agree. Another good option is the Qnap TS-409.
http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=86
It's cheaper than the Drobo, has gigabit networking built in, and supports BitTorrent, iTunes, and 360 / PS3 streaming out of the box.
mabhatter @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:12PM
I want to see this for Apple Time Capsule. It's got all the things you said Drobo misses, it's got wireless routing, 1Gb lan, and a SATA drive. As a backup solution it's only "nice" but if it could library and stream my itunes folders, they'd make a huge killing... (hint, Apple TV without the live computer connection to watch shows not on the HDD.)
David @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:10PM
I second Johnny Unitas opinion.
morcheeba @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:59PM
Chaz - The TS-409 isn't cheap, either - in fact, it's $100 more than the drobo ($599 vs $499 bare). It has the built-in ethernet (which I wish the drobo had), but my wireless also connects to USB drives.
The drobo is much more flexible with drive configurations, which will save money in the long run because I can buy whatever drive is the cheapest per GB at the time I need it.
later_g @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:50PM
Drobo is not just less expensive in the long run, in my case it is less expensive in the short run, too. I have several older smaller drives that my media is split across (a 160GB, a 250GB, and a 300GB) so I'm going to get one (just waiting for the wife's final approval!) with just one other 750GB drive. Voila, 710GB of protected space for $449 + $99 = $548. Now its true that's because I had these drives around, but who here doesn't have an extra SATA drive or two? As far as I understand the RAID options, I couldn't have reasonably made use of these small drives because the smallest drive in the array limits the size. And I don't really feel the need to get the Droboshare since I have an HTPC that's always on that can host it. I guess that's an issue for some people, but even with the DroboShare you may be better off with Drobo if you have drives lying around.
simplisticton @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:53PM
On what planet is the TS-409 cheaper than the Drobo? Only if you add in the totally optional DroboShare (which isn't a requirement; the Drobo plays quite happily with any USB-equipped router to provide networking).
Besides, I couldn't find anything on QNAP's website that said unequivocally how much storage you'd have if you were to use, say, 1x160GB, 2x500GB and 1x750GB drive in the TS-409 (but based on what I did read, you'd be either limited to 480GB in RAID-5 or 1.9TB with no redundancy in JBOD mode). With the Drobo you'd have 1.1TB of usable storage no matter what with single-disk failure tolerance.
Harbinger @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:46PM
Still not getting how this beats the Qnap 409 or Synology hardware.
yelohbird @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:54PM
The D-link DNS-323
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=509
is cheap, available, and already highly moddable into one of the servers above, with an active dev community:
http://wiki.dns323.info/
Johnny Bravo @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:15PM
The 323 is cheap, but doesn't have anything near the level of capabilities of the Synology or the new Netgear Duo (or other products like it). If you need something basic, the 323 is mature (its 2 years old), but if you want something that can replace a server the 323 aint it.
-ju
rektide @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:29PM
"doesn't have anything near the level of capabilities of the Synology or the new Netgear Duo"
Looking at the wiki that was linked, it looks like you can access the linux install on the D-Link unit. If you have linux access, you can do whatever you want. Its capabilities far exceed the limited pre-pack you get from any other router. Running a bittorent client? Sure. Running UPnP media server? Not a problem. Running an IRC client? Why not!
HRW @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:43AM
Robert is right, cheap & you can do whatever you want with it. Very active and competent development community with very good prepackaged apps by Fonz.
Yaphi @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:56PM
I just bought my Drobo today! This is great news.
BlowURmindBowel @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:03PM
Yeah! Nothing like hurrying up to wait!
As much as i hate to admit it this really isn't that compelling compared to a MS Home Server based solution (like that HP box that just came out that is actually cheaper... I think? hrm, maybe not after you add equivalent storage but still for what you get!)
Apreche @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:01PM
I'm still waiting for a new drobo with built-in network support at a non rip-off price.
will @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:14PM
ditto. the USB linked ethernet add-on doesn't do it for me.
Bill @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:05PM
*blah*
Buy a ReadyNAS and be done with it.
rektide @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:30PM
"doesn't have anything near the level of capabilities of the Synology or the new Netgear Duo"
Looking at the wiki that was linked, it looks like you can access the linux install on the D-Link unit. If you have linux access, you can do whatever you want. Its capabilities far exceed the limited pre-pack you get from any other router. Running a bittorent client? Sure. Running UPnP media server? Not a problem. Running an IRC client? Why not!
Matt @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:32PM
I Agree with Apreche network support should be built-in, I also Agree with Johnny Unitas, its way over priced, and i would also like to add, power consumption to the list, how much power are you pulling with it on 24/7 with both the drobo and it's nas device running
jimmy @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:01PM
The beauty of the Drobo isn't that it's a NAS or a Raid enclosure. The beauty is that it adds all your drives (not multiplying the lowest capacity drive like Raid) and it always is redundant within itself. You can pull any drive at any time (even during streaming from the device) and replace it. It tells you when drives are full, and lets you know when drives are ready to go bad.
I don't have one, but once they get this whole streaming to iTunes and PS3 worked out, I'll get one and pack it with 4x 1TB drives to hold all my movies and music, and never worry about backup again
michas_pi @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:10PM
Isn't the network attachment not even gigabit?
Also, I'm not getting one until it supports at least FireWire 400.
antiautomation @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:14PM
I want this to be amazing.
Distortedloop @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:12PM
I'd sure like to want a Drobo, but I just don't see the value. Yes, I get the "any size drive you want" business, but it's relatively expensive, doesn't do ethernet without another expensive add-on attachment, and doesn't do eSATA, so for my needs it's too slow and too expensive.
Real RAIDs are much less expensive with eSATA or gigabit ethernet already built in, and I don't see myself hodge-podging or cobbling together a Drobo by adding different sized drives in increments. C'mon, who really does that?
John Wheelis @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:23PM
For someone like myself, who is not very well versed in the art of networking, this seems like it might be the way to go. I took the advice above and looking into the QNAP TS-409, but not having local tech support really scares me. I like the features of the TS, but don't want the head ache. I just wish someone could make networking easy.
dr0p @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:07PM
Good news, but still too pricey for me.
KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:07PM
@Derek : I made the comment specially for you and I had to post it twice because as everyone knows you never understand anything the first time.
@Neil & Chad
Ok now I explain you:
My dan-elec "soSmart" is connected via HDMI to my big plasma which is not in the same room as my 2 desktop PCs.
But is also connected via WiFi to those PCs and also to my laptop (when is within range) so that I can back up HDs nd store data at the push of a button.
It is also connected via WiFi to my broadband modem so that I can also use itto directly browsw the web, or see web TV and videos or listen to web radio, directly from my 60" plasma.
It's not perfect., but it's the best for my needs
eb @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:15AM
Why would you need all that crap on a NAS? Thats why you have a computer.
Dustin @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:18AM
eb,
there is a point to this.. not everyone wants to have their computer on all the time. Also, some of us use laptops and want to take them with us places. If you're going out, and your [husband/wife] is streaming a movie, are you going to leave the computer there or stop the movie? How about downloading some files? Cancel? Plus, this gives the opportunity to access your files remotely anywhere, anytime, since it's always on.
don't be shortsighted. I have a linux NAS and it's amazing what I'm NOT tied to.
el @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:56PM
I actually like the Drobo better than the ReadyNas.
The Drobo is cheaper, plus it can take drives of different sizes and still do redundancy. I have two ReadyNas boxes and they make an unbelievable amount of noise. Don't get me wrong, the ReadyNAS' do their job, but given a choice, I'd get the Drobo + NAS component which runs at about 600$CDN as opposed to the 800$+ of the ReadyNAS. I think the one place where the Drobo loses out is in the data throughput. But I generally use it for streaming movies, which seems to work fine.
That said, one thing I would change with the Drobo is the ability to manually turn it off with a hardware button.
Virtuous @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:08PM
Most computers in use today don't have Firewire or eSATA ports. In a RAID setup if 1 of your drives fails and you can't buy an identical new drive you have to replace both of your drives. You'll be stuck copying your files from your old drive to 1 of your new drives before you can resume RAID.
Robert @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:02AM
The TS-409 rules and does everything this box says it will do but doesn't yet. who knows when half of this stuff will actually materialize.
neurosceptic @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:02PM
I only realised recently after getting the DROBO I don't really need a RAID type solution - especially thiers. With the droboshare, there is NO password protection for individual users, so anyone who has access can delete anything. That's deleted across the array, no way to get it back. The droboshare is thus s**t. Good for one user only... how is that sharing...
Perhaps the comminity can do what the makers cannot and make this work properly.