Drobo (second-gen) mini-review
By Ryan Block 
posted Jul 8th 2008 8:36AM
posted Jul 8th 2008 8:36AM
We were kind of hoping they'd get it over with and build in Ethernet (or at least WiFi) connectivity instead of continuing to charge an extra $200 for the DroboShare add-on -- that it comes without left us with some mixed feelings. But then again, this new model doesn't cost any more than the first-gen product ($500), so we can't hold it too much against 'em -- and as we found, it is a fair amount faster (and significantly quieter) than its predecessor. Read on for more.
We won't dwell much longer on the fact that Drobo still doesn't have its own network connectivity (and if we were gamblers, our money would be on integrated DroboShare whenever the third-gen device comes out), but if you're not planning on connecting your device directly to your computer, be prepared for the extra cash outlay. The upshot, however, is that the DroboShare will soon be able to host on-board applications and servers ("DroboApps") that make use of your Drobo's storage pool, potentially giving your whole setup a great deal more value. That is, assuming the developer community puts some weight behind the recently released SDK (more on that here).
If you're just in it for the speed, we found the new Drobo does deliver -- although maybe not on the same levels demonstrated by Data Robotics. Their tests show fairly consistent speed increases of over 2x on writes and between 60-100% on reads using AJA Kona. We did all our tests using Xbench, which showed more conservative improvements over the first-gen device. Using a set of four varied SATA drives, we got somewhat smaller speed increases over USB, usually in the range of 10-20%. Occasionally we got up to 100%+ on some operations (like 4k block uncached random writes) -- but on other operations the new Drobo was actually a slight bit slower (like 256k random uncached reads).
If it fits the bill for what you're looking for, the second-gen Drobo is still our favorite home and prosumer storage device in this class. The new interface and speed increases are easy to appreciate, but even if you trade those in for slower access over a network-attached DroboShare, you still stand to take advantage its forthcoming DroboApps and unusually simple auto-mounting system. And running four hot 7200 RPM drives -- which should be fairly high up on the device's thermal envelope -- the new model is indeed noticeably quieter than its predecessor, even despite the unfortunate loss of the previous model's jet engine exhaust motif. Dropping $500 on a device with no included drives (or even network access) is still pretty tough to swallow for many buyers, but the benefits of having a dynamically expandable, redundant, easy to manage storage pool are still as strong an incentive as ever to be a little spendy -- if not on a Drobo, than perhaps on a ReadyNAS with X-RAID. It's your data, after all, so treat it right.
Reviewer's note: As we mentioned when this review was first published, our unit suffered from a strange series of random, somewhat jarring reboots. Data Robotics narrowed this issue down to a pre-production power Y-connector from our early-release DroboShare. Since replacing it with a production cable we haven't seen the issue pop up again; Data Robotics assured us that they've tested their hardware and software extensively, otherwise never having seen the issue we experienced.
I understand it's probably due to how the Drobo works as "one big drive" but I sure wish it came with eSATA.
Agreed. No reason why the second gen shouldn't have it, as the standard is well over 2 years old now.
I also wish there was an 8 bay version. Damn MKV's.
How is this thing in any way robotic? I know it doesn't require manual data migration, but it doesn't do this by using a little arm to move the drives around as I initially hoped.
Robot: any machine OR mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill. (dictionary.com)
The scientific definition of a "machine" (derived from the Latin machina) is any device that is not a computer that transmits or modifies energy. (wikipedia.com)
Is this not basically a computer?
@WolfTicket
Ya, good point. Maybe the company name isn't suggesting it's a robot, but rather a Data Robot. Still just a fancy name for "Computer".
A computer is any device used to make mathematical calculations. This does include slide rulers and abacus. They are not machines. A calculator (computer) can take on many different forms in both machine and non machine.
We are nerds.
Indeed
still no eSATA...
oh well, dual firewire is good. just hope Ubuntu full supports the dual firewire.
The extra firewire port is for daisy-chaining other firewire devices. You don't connect both ports to your machine.
Great news. We've all been waiting for this.
OMFG - you left out the best news of all -- crazy deals on Drobo plus drives
Drobo plus 0 TB: $499
Drobo of two 1 TB: $899
Drobo plus four 1 TB: $1,299
This beats the crap out of Infrant ReadyNAS -- the Infrant with 4 TB costs $2,999. Instead of a ReadyNAS, I can buy a Firewire Drobo, *and* a Macbook, plus a Mac mini *and* still have $2.00 left over.
Wow.
You forget that the ReadyNAS has ethernet. The Drobo does not. unless you buy the Share addon which +$200.
the Drobo still doesn't quite "beat the crap" out of the ReadyNas. At least not yet.
Why not get the HP WHS over this? It does the same thing has gigabit ethernet and esata. Who the heck uses Firewire anymore for storage? Even camcorders have gone usb. I realize it works a little better than usb but not better that esata. FIREWIRE IS DEAD PEOPLE.
The WHS is $690 at amazon but I paid $590 for the 2X500GB version almost a year ago and it trumps the drobo in so many ways. And don't bring up the stupid data corruption thing. It is VERY minor and will be corrected soon.
So, how is paying $200 per 1TB drive a "crazy deal"? Newegg has several models for around $180, and I've seen sale prices elsewhere in the sub-$150 range.
The data corruption thing on WHS is in fact corrected.
Except you would be an idiot to spend $2800 on a ReadyNAS with 4x 1TB drives when you could get one without the drives and buy the drives separately, saving you $1200. Which basically makes it around the same price as the Drobo (if you then addon the $200 drobo share to make it equivalent to a ReadyNAS).
...but yes Netgear are ripping you off if you buy the drives with them.
Except you would be an idiot to spend $2800 on a ReadyNAS with 4x 1TB drives when you could get one without the drives and buy the drives separately, saving you $1200. Which basically makes it around the same price as the Drobo (if you then addon the $200 drobo share to make it equivalent to a ReadyNAS).
...but yes Netgear are ripping you off if you buy the drives with them.
Give me a 2 drive version for $300 that I can daisy chain together with other 2 drive boxes to make the ultimate expandable DROBO array.
This would be a bad idea, technically speaking. If you ever unplugged on the cables while the dirves were running you'd effectively simulate a 2 drive failure and lose all your data. If $300 is your threshold, though, they're clearing out the v1 Drobo's at $350 and you can have 4 bays.
I really wish this unit didn't use proprietary methods to store/stripe the data. If it dies, the only way to get your data back it to buy another one to stick your drives in whereas a regular RAID device you can recreate the array with any RAID controller. The other problem I have is the lack of network connectivity unless you buy a $200 adapter that adds nothing but a Ethernet port. Given those limitations, I think a Synology CS407 or DS508 would be a better choice. (Or Thecus if you prefer)
The benefit of the drobo way is that all four of your drives can be of any type/size. Makes it a lot easier for the average consumer to slowly build a RAID storage device. Also makes it a lot easier to recover your data later when you can't find a Western Digital 80GB 5400 RPM Clavicle (yes, I know their brand is not really Clavicle), you just stick in any drive that is larger and it will mirror it onto the new drive.
"...whereas a regular RAID device you can recreate the array with any RAID controller."
You sure are naive.
That's totally untrue. RAID standards only extend to technique, not to implementation. If your RAID controller dies, you can only run it on identical hardware (or, if you're lucky, maybe a newer model from the same company -- but no guarantees).
I'm still torn.
Love Drobo for the features it does have
Hate Drobo for what it doesn't
-REALLY easy to use. Large, ready to go capacity
There's not much middle ground.
-No network. No media server software
ReadyNAS is -exactly- the opposite on each point
Guess I'll wait longer still
yay
WTF???
Firewire 800 on the device, but the Droboshare will still only connect via USB2.0????
Am I the only one that just wants to scream at Data Robotics "WHAT??!! Are you insane?!"
USB 2.0 should be able to handle whatever is coming/going on the network, no?
Still no ethernet? I can't understand their philosophy behind this device if you're not going to make it networkable.
@ghostfish - do you really think you can take drives from, say, an Adaptec controller and plug them into a Readynas and have them work? NFW. Drobo is like all other storage arrays out there -- pull the drives and put them into the same unit.
I would never pay this much without an eSATA connection.
Someone please make a Portal Companion Cube case mod please
So what happens when the drobo itself dies (has to happen some day).
I guess you can buy a new drobe, but are they backwards compatible?
So basically you need to backup you data. Well I guess you can buy two drobos right away...
You take your drives out of the dead Drobo and put them in the new Drobo -- all you need to make sure of is that you put them in the same slots. The USB-only 1st gen and the new USB/FW 2nd gen are format-compatible. The speed ups are largely due to a newer, faster processor on the 2nd gen unit.
It's FASTER! How fast? Who the hell knows, because you never published any actual throughput, just % changes.
What was throughput before hand? What were the test drives? What is the new throughput? How long was the 1.25GB file transfer?
I am disappointed in this article. It gives no meaningful data.
eSATA--you and all five of your friends. eSATA has so many compatibility issues I am not surprised they would not include it. Who wants to buy an expensive PCI Express eSATA card when FireWire 800 will do for 95% of people? There's a reason Apple Mac Pro's don't ship with eSATA...
because eSata wasn't standardized until after the Mac Pro was developed?
DAMN.... and i just ordered a drobo on sunday from newegg that arrives today! I wish they could let people know it was coming!
No ethernet connectivity.. wtf ? I had no idea the Drobo had no ethernet, wow what a misstep.. the whole reason I would buy one would be to share it on my network. Oh well.
Network sharing is available through an add-on device.
The only reason I haven't bought a Drobo yet is because the network functionality is not built in. There is no way I'm paying $200 for a network card. I was hoping that Drobo G2 would seal the deal, but I guess not.
I am in the same boat. I just bought a link station pro to hold me over until G3 comes with gig eth and hopefully at least 5 drives.
there's no way to connect a USB WiFi dongle?
I don't fully understand the obsession here with having ethernet in the box. I'm sure there are people for whom that is the best use case but I'd rather have the choice of not buying something I don't need. Am I the only person with a Desktop PC? (Maybe that's it.) My PC can provide the networking stack just fine my desktop can provide the sharing stack just fine and when I'm using it (which is where I edit the baby videos) I don't take the performance hit of accessing things over SMB. Several NAS boxes reviews I've read show that they are fast in and of themselves, but when you access them through SMB instead of FTP you hit get overhead that cuts performance by 20%+, and even that assumes everyone has already upgraded to wired gigabit ethernet or 11n at very close range to not have a much slower connection than USB2 or Firewire. Besides, if I were going to upgrade to 11n (I'm in a holding pattern for the draft to get finalized and prices to come down), I'd probably buy an Apple Airport Extreme which has a USB port to share my Drobo from so I still wouldn't need that networking. The only question is whether the v2 is different enough to warrant upgrading... probably not but a move in the right direction.
I agree with you... desktop networking gives me a lot more flexibility, BUT I can also see the other side of the coin. People buy the Drobo 'cos they don't want the hassle of maintaining a RAID array or a server -- so why would you want the hassle of maintaining sharing via your desktop OS when something like DroboShare (or an AirPort Extreme, or a "real" NAS) can do it for you?
For me, it boils down to the fact that connecting the Drobo directly to my machine is a) faster for my primary machine and perfectly fine for the rest of the network, and b) more configurable.
If the choice is between adding cost & complexity to the base product or offering it as an add-on via the DroboShare, I favour the latter... but yes, I wish the Drobo & DroboShare were connected via a faster link than USB 2.0.
So does it still have that annoying ass 2TB cap on volume sizes that in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of the Drobo? Or was that really just a USB 2 issue?
No, firewire has it too. eSata does not.
Their tech spec page for the Drobo-2 claims 16GB.
See better Array: Thecus intros 5-bay N5200BR NAS Server
More expensive, but I want my ports damnit! Is a gigabit ethernet port too much to ask???
No ESATA??