Requirements: "I want to be able to have our Word and Excel (actually, OpenOffice) etc files all stored in one place where any of the computers can access the files. I need separate log-ins for each employee so I can control which files they can access. I need to be able to access these files remotely too."A NAS box can be set up to serve multiple volumes, each looking to the workstations like a separate disk. Access permissions can be set on a per-volume basis (maybe even finer; I have never tried), so each employee can be given access to only the data he/she needs. Each workstation can also be given a volume to which it backs up itself. Synology has a remote FTP access feature to files. Synology also includes "cloud" software that lets you set up a private cloud that's accessible on the internet.
Requirements: "
I have less than 20 gB of data right now and that might double or quadruple at the worst. ... I want it to be RAID 5, with hot-swappable disks."With respect, why RAID 5 and hot swap?? A pair of 1TB mirrored drives, cold swappable, will last you a long time. Buy a third drive, test it, and keep it in a drawer as a cold spare. If one of the production drives croaks, down the NAS, swap the drive, and start back up. Worst case lost time a half hour, probably less. That's the inexpensive approach. With RAID 5 you'll have to buy a fourth disk drive and the office downtime you'll save if a disk fails is tiny.
Requirements: "Three people will need access to about 5 computers from time to time in the office - not heavy or constant use - and I will need to access the computers from home or on the road, weekly."Requirements: "
... an absolutely reliable backup ... "Cloud backup is the currently-popular solution. To use it, you'll need a fairly fast (= $$) broadband connection. (1 gig of data at 10 megabits/second will take well over 2 hours to transfer). An alternative would be a second NAS box stored in a fire-resistant safe, with automatic backup from the first box. Another option is a cold spare SATA drive to which you copy your NAS data periodically (weekly, maybe) and keep offsite. This is what I do with my home network except that the SATA drive sleeps in my gun safe. Lots of options here, though none are without warts.
I am using Synology as an example because that is the vendor I have and the one I am most familiar with. I chose them because they have an excellent reputation and incredibly capable software. There are others, though, and in the three or so years since I made my decison someone may have pulled ahead or be attractive to you for some other reason. Don't think it is Synology or nothing.
I have a DS212+, dual drive with (totally unnecessary) hot swap. This year's model is the DS215+. It's $400 on Amazon; figure another $150 or so each for a couple of good 1TB drives. If you just gotta have RAID 5, then look at the DS415+. $600 at Amazon. No software or client licenses to buy for any of them.
There are also lower-performance Synology boxes like the DS215J at $200 that, truthfully, would probably be enough for what you are doing.
Two other general comments:
- When you go to the six-sigma quality training they begin by teaching you that "Quality is conformance to requirements." Exceeding requirements is not added quality; it is added expense.
- One of the most expensive project management diseases is called "creeping elegance."
HTH. Standard terms: All opinions guaranteed worth price paid.
Not sure, and not an expert and don't use QB, but I'm not seeing a technological impediment. Your overall requirements are so small, I'm not seeing where the server comes in.
