Discussion on:

Do you really want to install a network server in five minutes?

Our network is constantly evolving to meet business needs so it's hard to see how a product that sacrifices flexibility for ease of implementation could be an advantage. Even if the need was scoped accuratly and the product was a 100% match who cansay if that scope will still be accurate in 6 months time? I'm not overly familiar with the SNAP product so I don't know how much configuration can be done after the 5 minute install but if an evaluation showed that there was any compromise to flexibility with the product then it would be unlikely that I would purchase it.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if anything promises to require zero effort / skill to install, then it probably isn't suitable for a network which I'm trying to run to a high standard (including security etc). How can a "plug-and-pray" device anticipate both my current and my future needs? As for web-based configuration, this adds even more problems to securing the damn thing from anyone who wishes to reconfigure...

Out of the box plug and play solution nevers work precisely as you need them to. After all, what are the chances that some developer locked in a room hundreds of miles away, who has no concept of your organization's needs, happen to create procedures that fit your systems!

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if anything promises to require zero effort / skill to install, then it probably isn't suitable for a network which I'm trying to run to a high standard (including security etc). How can a "plug-and-pray" device anticipate both my current and my future needs? As for web-based configuration, this adds even more problems to securing the damn thing from anyone who wishes to reconfigure...

We have a small Snap farm, and once the box is plugged in, I can testify that it only takes 10 minutes or so to fiddle the settings to make the Snap behave exactly as I want it to. The browser-based management interface works very well, and is simple to use.

I agree, we purchased a rack mountable snap server and it only took about 10 minutes to have it installed and running on our NT based system. I have also found that my back up runs faster. I have been backing up over the netword from another windows based scsi system, and my back ups were taking several hours, but with the snap server the time has been greatly deminished.

We have a snap server and purchasing 3 more . The install is easy and post install management of it is great.

Not only did it install and set-up in less 5 min. I was able to configure it in less then an additional 5 minutes. I have gone in a couple of times to change and tweek it a little when the need was there and that was also easy to do. This is the perfect solution for space. I also have moved the critical files that people need to access to this little workhorse and when the server is down the office is not. You can set security manually or have it use the same security that you have setup inNT. This may not be the answer for everyone but if all you need is storage space this is the way to go!

It all becomes a factor of ease of system design. If your network only needs static fileserver storage - then the Snap Storage Server product is adequate. If you need more control, such as SQL or remote access, or maybe even multi-platform database support, then your needs change. I strongly recommend hiring an IT consultant that you can hold accountible to the network design that he professes to be able to support.

Jim Bolinski
Advanced Computer Solutions
jim@acs-service.com

When you consider the lifetime of a server, the installation time required when it is first purchased is surely not particularly relevant. If I were installing a new server I'd set aside a day in the expectation that it would probably take only about half of that. When you look at a day in the roughly 3 year lifespan of a server it makes little difference if you cut that quota down to five minutes. It means that you have 3 years, 7 hours and 55 minutes rather than 3 years of spare time.

Also how often do you install a completely new server? Surely most of the time they're a replacement to an exisiting machine, or at least a complement to it, meaning the configuration of the new machine is what will take the time.

I recently installed a Snap Server 1000 on my network because I needed extra storage space and, since our company is small, we don't have a large IT budget to add RAID to an existing server. I went through the default installation, then went back tomodify the security. The GUI was very intuitive and easy to navigate. The GUI will even warn you of potential security risks when applying NT security rights. Not only did I get a fast install, but it still took me less than an hour to get all my security in place.

Unfortunately, the decision makers are seldom those that know the "insides" of the relevant issues.

The hype of "easy and quick" will lure many to this type of solution.

I think it would be wise to look beyond quick and easy. The Redmond products have the most security flaws of any platform and should be considered accordingly.

Quick and easy does not come without risks.

Seems to me that everyone is missing the point. According to my interpretation of the comments you all have changing requirements for network storage? Other than the need for more space what are those requirements? Servers like the SNAP are solely for network storage needs. They are not replacements for application servers which I agree require a lot more configuration.
But to handle space for users and shares I would gladly use a 10 minute setup. It isn't so much the time factor as much as the ease of installation and maintenance.
Just my take on things.

We have a SNAP server being used for user files, mp3's, games, etc. It would never replace my PDC or store secure files but it is excellent for what it is being used for.

Does anyone desire a product where you must trade off a difficult install vs. difficult maintenance? I haven't used the named product, so I really can't say where it fits into the spectrum.

I tend to believe ease of installation and ease of maintenance should go hand in hand. I don't see how to separate the two in a real product.

We need products that are both easy to install and easy to maintain. I am not interested in anything that only addresses one or the other of these issues.

I think the point was that the Snap serves both sides of the installation coin (hardware install and software setup) very nicely. The point that I saw Mr. Artner make, was that Quantum is questionably touting the wrong side of the coin. I think itis the hardware install that lures many, especially at the business-size level that these products are primarly aimed, toward a purchase. In fact, the Snap servers are so low-cost, they could even fall into the impulse-buy category. Obviously if you need a primary network server running apps, controlling domains, or doing anything outside of the realm of the NAS device, the Snap is the wrong tool to buy. But most upper-end suits won't know that. Therefore it probably will create some consulting work by simply knowing the in's and out's of the Snaps. I can easily invision a call from someone, "I bought this Snap server and I can't run our database from it like we could our old server..." I dunno, just my $.02.

Ben

I agree with Ben on the issue of the wrong people buying and trying to run a network with the easier tools. Though I haven't seen the SNAP product, I'm sure it's more of an issue of the right tool for the right job. Buy it for the wrong job and now us IT's have more work to do!

We are running a Snap 4000 server and installation was very fast and easy. You must use thier administrative tools for all security options but access and use is also easy to understand and implement.

I think that their advertising promotions lack an important feature of it being OS independant and that you can store many types of files on the one box; UNIX, Netware, Mac, Windows.

But it is not perfect. There are limits to the number of concurrent users and their drive failure replacement options I've reviewed need improving but for the amount of disk and RAID options for the cost, makes this a great NAS system perfect for data storage.

I saw the Snap ad just this morning, where they compare the installation time of their machines to an OS installation. Not a very realistic comparison for many reasons:

1. Their ad considers plugging in and turning on the device to be the installation time. I can probably match that time with a real computer, although setup and configuration are obviously more.

2. They don't talk at all about configuration time for their box.

3. This thing won't do what an OS will do. Little things like run programs, etc. An OS takes more, but it does more, too.

Overall, it is a pretty transparent, weak marketing campaign for anyone who knows anything at all about networks.

I've installed the snap on our network. The ease of installation was quite refreshing(no notable problems at all for a change) BUT security sucks on the SNAP. You cannot format the SNAp in NTFS(that I've found yet anyways) Security leaves the file structure on the SNAP wide open. This sucks. Backup software needs to be changed to network software. The Seagate Exec software that I used is now useless. Easy to install but be prepared for major changes if it doesn't fit your network structure exactly.

Great little gadgets, for a webfarm, and if cost is no issue. Problem with these little servers is that they cost more than a properly configured PC and are much less flexible. Another issue is the need for a boot server. I can build and launch anew PC with NT Server (or Linux) in a matter of a couple of hours without the configuration headaches for about half the cost. So why would I bother?

I don't know... 5 minutes to a server? Not a chance. Might work for some small company that doesn't want to mess with all that "networking junk", but for a large corporation that has custom requirements and custom setups and custom everything, aninstant server just can't hack it.

Brian Lusk

I recently added the Snap 2000 to my network. I run a dual NT\Novell system that seems to change almost daily. I have had no problems configuring the server as my needs have changed. In fact, it has proven to be my most reliable file storage server. It never goes down, has a ton of utilities, integrates with our NT/Novell security and can be customized on the fly to suit my needs. If you need to have more control over the customization of the server then you didn't need a file server to begin with.

From the tone of most of the replies, as usual, you network geeks would climb a holly tree naked to get to "design" and "customize" and "configure" and "integrate" to your little hearts' content. If you've got plenty of time and money, go ahead. For the other 80% of small business network administrators, we just want more storage. SNAP-style servers are just what we need. And if it's on the network side of the firewall, what's all this mumbo jumbo about "security"? We're talking about 5 minutes worth of configuration any way you look at it. According to all reports by people who have really touched one, it is easier to change these things than NT/Novell ever thought about. Take a deep breath. Relax. Admit it. Now, doesn't that feel better? Have a nice day ...

NAS is great for the very basic need of file storage. It's not fast, it's not all that secure, and it's not a replacement for a file server. But to add immediate storage, great!
Now, just because something is on the network side of the firewall doesn't mean you should neglect security. Something like 75% (I don't have the stats in front of me, but I'm close) of "hacking" comes from inside your firewall.... Don't let firewalls lull you into false sense of security.

My problems with NAS: Hard to replace failed drive, slower than a comparable SCSI system, and no granularity on the security. I can deal with most of this, however and use SNAPS.

This unit is not capable of being secured due to its web based utility. I returned mine after I found the flaws. Invest in a real server.

The idea of a plug and pray network drive is great, for a few situations. Like a networked home, or an office with only a few computers and no internet connection. Unfortunately, most of these devices are priced out of reach for the above environments.
As for a corporate environment, give me a break! I'm supposed to believe that the built-in web-based config utility is secure enough, and robust enough, to keep up with a staggering number of network enviroments? Who do they think they are fooling? If the price was right, I might consider it at home, but never as an appliance I could count on as an enterprise solution.

We have a couple of Qubes at work. I think they are better-suited for a small network that can't afford a skilled administrator. They sit in the corner, hosting websites quite efficiently. This week I helped set up HP OV on a NT 4.0 box to monitor my routers and page me if there's a problem. Next week, I'll get NT to start the coffepot! I am evaluating a very nice packet-filter firewall this month. One complaint: no documentation, how do I create filters?! It installed in under 5 mins with the default settings, which are OK for an end-user. How do I allow UDP packets from my routers for HP OV? It's a great product, but if I can't tell it to do what I need it to do, it's useless to our operation. I hope that this isn't where the industry isgoing.....

OK, I don't know about the rest of you, but when I get a new piece of equipment I don't want to have to sit down with the manual and read to find out how it works for the next 2 days before I can plug it in. What I normally do is plug it in and readthe questions as they come up. If I don't know the answer to a question, I look it up then.
Now, as far at the marketing goes, I think they are doing a good thing with the marketing. Every time I read in a magazine that you just plug it in and it is up and running, it makes my mouth water. I just added the last 2 drives to one of my Netfinity servers this last weekend and when I need more storage, you bet I will be getting one of the SNAP servers.
I understand that after you get the system set up you can change just about anything via the web based interface. This tells me that no mater where I am at on my network I can make changes to the SNAP server. I don't have to be at my desk or at the server. This is another feature that makes this product good. I have multiple sites that I have to take care of and I don't want to have to jump in my car every time I need to make a change.

Overall, I think this is a good idea. The days of having to be a rocket scientist to set up a networkare gone. I think the products should fall in line with that.

I agree--the emphasis in the field is becoming "do it fast" not "do it right".
I want vendors to offer me choices, not
idiot-proofing.
It'll come back and bite us in the end!
jim j
st. paul

After experiencing the joy of trying to sell management on new storage for an existing server, let alone a new server, the Snap drive seemed like nirvana to both myself and to them. After getting a low-end model approved, I couldn't be happier. Itis truly a no-impact device. We have Novell, NT, and Solaris servers. Our clients run TCP, IPX, and since we still have Macs, Ethertalk. The Snap drive accomodates all without hassle.
As far as changing the setup, I've had to change settings only twice. I used the Web interface; I also check status using it. EVERYTHING has worked exactly as advertised.
I've seen ads for Linksys units, all priced REALLY low. Anyone have any raves/flames? I'd like to know.
JC

Our experience has been two failed Snap! servers in as many months. Hardware failures are the LAST thing that should happen to any network. Consequently,we no longer use these servers.

With the culture these days, people really want a quick deployment. Not as fast as five minutes, but a day would be considered optimum. Anything faster than that on the infrastructure, would have a diminished return. With a quick deployment system someone can actually see if the system is compatible, then he/she can customize it according to their satisfaction.RB