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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Data Robotics releases Drobo Pro
Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 4:59 PM on 04.07.09 |
| ->> wow looks really nice. It has a price tag to match as well! 1200 to start. |
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Michael Clark, Photographer
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Santa Fe | NM | USA | Posted: 6:00 PM on 04.07.09 |
| ->> Nice but it is still only connected by Firewire 800! No eSATA connection - very strange. |
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Stephen Brashear, Photographer, Assistant
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 6:08 PM on 04.07.09 |
| ->> Actually, I think it uses Firewire 800, USB 2.0 or iSCSI (gigabit ethernet). Correct me if I'm not seeing something right. |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 8:26 PM on 04.07.09 |
->> iSCSI, FW800 and USB2
Up to 12TB of storage (after overhead) I don't think the price is too bad. If you need that kind of space. As they say to, you can loose up to 2 drives in this version, and sill kick on kicking. |
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Max Simbron, Photographer, Assistant
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 2:35 AM on 04.08.09 |
->> Theres a Customer Loyalty Program too. Current Drobo users get 200 dollars off a Drobo Pro.
Sounds interesting because then it falls in line with the pricing on 2 Drobo's, but can rackmount, and requires only 1 cable and power source, which I like.
I like the Drobo a lot. It's required very little maintenance, it's a nice package, and while it's not too fast (I have a v1), it's only serving as a mirror, so I need reliability much more. |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 3:18 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> Just to update.... I just tried to order one of these.... Still 4 weeks until they're in stock. You can also purchase through Dell.com once they hit the distribution channel.
Sucks because I could use 2 of these NOW!! Oh well. |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 3:43 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> You know, one thing that has me concerned (and others I've spoken to as well) is the data format used by Drobo.
What are peoples thoughts on the seemingly proprietary data format used by Drobo? Once you head down this path, I would think you are pretty well locked. It doesn't appear to use any of the industry standard RAID formats at all. I suppose we always need to migrate our data at times, but what happens if Drobo goes away? (and I'm not in any way suggesting they will or could be...just 'what if')
For those using them, is this not a concern?
For those who have chosen to pass on by, was this any influence at all? |
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Max Simbron, Photographer, Assistant
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 4:25 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> Mike,
I'll give you my personal answers:
1) I understand the proprietary format is an issue, but really... are a set of raid 0,1,5,6, or 10 disks going to work independently anywhere outside of their own raid environment? You would have to stay within the same model and company no? What if that unit is no longer made.
Plus, as a backup to my files, drobo is never the only copy of my work. It is in fact a simple copy. If anything were to happen, I would simply copy all my files back onto it. So why is it simple? Because its maintenance free. I've spent less than an hour in almost 2 years, which includes setting it up the first time on a windows and mac platform, upgrading it from 4 500gb drives to 2 1tb and 2 500gb drives, and regular dusting of it. the time saved is more valuable to me than the extra cost over competing models.
I have a v1 drobo, and I know I can upgrade to a v2 simply by reinstalling the drives from the old one to the new one, or even to the new drobo pro. If it doesnt work for some reason, while I would be annoyed that it didnt live up to its promise, I'd also not worry because I have more than one copy of my work. In fact, this allows me to use the Drobo only for copies rather than as a project drive. I'll admit, the v1 is fairly slow (more so on PC, on my mac it's gotten a bit spry).
If Drobo were to go away as a company, that could pose problems for continued use, but not current use. Our drobos won't blow up immediately. We simply have to prepare a strategy for moving files onto a new server. Since it's only a second copy of my work, and I have online storage as well, I could simply format the Drobo and leave it to be an insensitive file holder, basically a big temporary drive. an exit strategy from the current hardware and services is normal for any business. I host my files with Photoshelter, and so far I'm happy, but I know I could and how to leave if need be. Same with my Drobo, my Mac, my Dell laptop, my home, etc.
So far though, drobo has been around a few years and keeps coming out with new products, so there's no death watch.
And photographers seem to like them. I first heard of the drobo when I read reccomendations by peter krogh (the DAM guy, so he sorta knows this stuff), and I've read on Scott Kelby's blog that he uses them as well. I know a few people who trust terabytes of work to it.
All in all, while people can worry about this or that, to be completely honest, the drobo just works. when it doesn't anymore, I'll be prepared.
Max |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 5:22 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> Mike I gotta go with Max on this one. I'll be throwing one of these on my server as soon as I can get it here. It will augment a RAID array in my server. Nothing is static when it comes to data. So in the end I'll have files on a drobopro, a 'standard' windows array, and DVD's. Plus off site too.
I'm also looking at putting one of these at either my in-law's or a buddy's place hooked up to a cheap laptop. Then I can just drop in and throw an external HD on the laptop to update my off site backup.
Max quick question.... How is the air flow around the drives? I spoke to someone at Data Robotics today and expressed a concern that having this running 24/7 will generate some serious heat. I'm not seeing how the drives are actively cooled. I was told that there are 2 fans in the Pro so I'm assuming that when the cover is closed that the fans will draw air over the HD's.
Also anyone interested MicroCenter has the 2tb drives on sale. Just grabbed mine. |
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Max Simbron, Photographer, Assistant
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 5:58 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> Eric,
I use the green drives, which seem to run a lot cooler than normal. This may also contribute to the slower performance.
But I have kept it on for months at a time. I heard, and can now confirm that if the Drobo feels it is too hot, it will turn itself off.
I know this because I moved its location recently, and also left a OWC laptop drive that serves as a Time Machine backup on top of the Drobo. Those little drives run VERY hot.
Hot enough to force the Drobo into its danger zone. I figured this out by leaving the drive on top of the Drobo purposely, and watching it go from normal operation to helicopter loud fans, to shutoff.
I let it cool off. Unplugged and plugged it back in. Back to work.
If you think about it, circulation between drives isn't all too important to the drives: most computer configs have drive bays in cramped spaces with nothing blowing air between them, rather around them.
2 years in july, and my only worries are whether I want a v2 for cheap, or a Drobo Pro. Either way, when it does decide to go tits up, my original v1 Drobo will get a viking funeral for its excellent service. |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 8:20 PM on 04.13.09 |
->> Thanks for the feedback guys. It all makes sense, and I'm really just trying to look at this from all sides. (probably over-analyzer as I usually do )
The comments about the excessive heat do have me a bit concerned. Heat kills components faster than just about anything. |
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