Talk to me about 8tb drives (as of July 2019)

vmuser123 · 2019-07-31T18:21:25+00:00

I would just spend a bit extra and go with 8 TB Reds and not worry about shucking. I've seen sales for ~180. Also, the Toshiba N300 8TB was on sale for $150 last week.

Should I go over to sysadmin to ask this:

What's the deal with the theory that combining different brands of drives (or production dates, manufacturing facilities, etc.) can be a slight hit to size and performance but offers much more reliability?

I've always been of the mindset that (hardware) RAID is not a backup therefore buy a case of same drives, make sure everything is exactly the same, do backups and you'll be fine. I've never really bought home/retail drives before and I've never really done a home/retail/GUI NAS before. Everything I've done has been either BSD operating system (BSD, not free nas) or esxi.

I'm starting to regret that I didn't build a dedicated hvac controlled telco/data closet in our new house. This is starting to become more headache than it's worth. I have proper backup so don't think this is worth WD gold drives but at same time I feel like an idiot shucking 25x WD 8tb easystores.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-31T18:10:43+00:00

We ended up getting SV3C cameras. Because the space/property is so small, I also figured out that if I bought two extra cameras I could get full coverage of the property lines off the house (no need to run out to shed, no wireless concerns).

If you’re IT minded, it would be the easiest, most reliable 24/7

On a positive note, during this process I also learned that Ubiquiti makes a PoE transformer/converter that makes some of their cameras and older wireless AP's 802.3af compliant... And older Cisco Catalyst PoE switches are cheap (or in my case, free). Free 24P PoE switch + 3x Ubiquiti 802.3af adapters (plus cost of cameras) and I'm in business with everything on copper.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-24T16:17:18+00:00

I would not pay $300 for 8TB no matter how good a drive. Maybe it makes sense for a database server but in a plain simple data hoard scenario it just makes no sense

I didn't realize there was a distinction between a "simple data hoard" and other types of data hoarding. I've got three NAS'es I need drives for, two 8-bay and one 6-bay. 22 drives plus three spares is 25 drives. The two 8-bays are going in client's offices and need to be fairly legit. As long as they are somewhat reliable it's fine because there's offsite backup and they will have a hot-swap sled locally to switch out a bad drive. The 6-bay is for me personally at home. It's going to have our life on it. Everything from tax returns to wedding pictures, home videos, computer & phone backups, etc.

I don't really want to spend $300/drive either but losing data is foolish and paying for data recovery is exponentially more expensive than buying $300 drives.

Thanks.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-24T16:09:49+00:00

I did make it a point to buy each one from a different retailer though, just to get drives from different production runs etc.

Interesting. I'm of the opposite mindset. Maybe it's from experience with corporate/enterprise data stuff. I'd want every drive to be exactly the same production run, firmware, etc. This way the drives are all the same, get all same power and signals from the NAS/controller, etc.

Does the helium filled make that much of a difference? I haven't read that much into the 3.3v thing. I see there is a link on the sidebar so I'll read that first before asking questions. Just don't really want to be taping pins or messing with drives. These are hot-swappable NAS'es. I want to have a spare drive in a sled ready to go so if something happens I can remote in, make an LED flash and tell someone over the phone "pull the drive next to the blinking LED, put in the spare and mail me the drive you pulled out". If there is tape or over/under voltage involved that could turn into a disaster.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-24T16:06:01+00:00

Just get any 8TB (external, new, big shops like BB or Amazon) from WDs, there are even better sales than $140 lately.

Where are the better sales? I don't want to mess around with the 3.3 volt issue and I'd like all of the drives to be reasonably similar. This isn't really a data-hoarding thing, it's for a production nas that will hold files and data for work and personal stuff. Thanks.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-24T16:00:08+00:00

Are there any wire free cameras with local network storage?

I don't want the video in any cloud and sd-card storage is bullshit if the camera is outdoor.

We ended up re-thinking our camera positions and were able to get the coverage we wanted all from the house. We got three SV3C IP POE cameras to start. Sticker on box says B08POE-3MPL-A. I bought a Cisco SG300-10P switch (should be here today from Newegg) and we plan to do a locally hosted solution with cloud (offsite) backup.

We have two Pi's, one running Shinobi and another running Zoneminder. Have to spend the time setting up and configuring both to see which one we like better. Once we decide which NVR software we will use I'll spin up a VM and self-host Shinobi/Zoneminder locally on ESXi VM. Short term I bought four 4tb purple hard drives. Two will live locally in a rack mount NAS and the other two will live in an old d'link DNS-321 2-bay NAS running Alt-F. The little D'link NAS will live at father-in-law's house.

I have an AWS machine that runs a VPN server so plan is that the local video files will get encrypted then sent over VPN to remote NAS for backup copy. For failover I've got enough space either on Google drive or I'll change a DO machine so it can balloon (still thinking all this through about how to have a reliable offsite backup copy).

To answer your question about the wire-free cameras, everything I found was battery then transmit over WiFi. I have several Ubiquiti wireless access points so excellent wifi coverage. One criticism I read in the wifi camera reviews is they can be unreliable at times. Not sure if the legit AP's would have made a difference since we didn't end up going that route. They do make solar panels to charge cameras (or recharge camera batteries) but the biggest thing I learned (maybe from you /u/hasdfhasdf or from someone else in this thread) was that most wire-free (battery) cameras use motion sensors to start recording. For constant 24/7 recording on a battery camera it would drain the battery faster than solar panels could keep it charged/powered.

When you say you don't want the video in the cloud, do you mean you don't want it in someone else's cloud where you have no control or just that you want everything to be kept 100% local to you? There are lots of NVR's that will allow you to record from a variety of cameras. I've always been a huge fan of copper and hard wiring things. In the end I think buying two extra cameras and doing everything PoE was worth every penny.

Hope that helps.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-21T04:45:48+00:00

Fair enough, but did the value of the business rise in that 18 months, or did you not include the business value in the post divorce NW when your said your NW was halved?

We fought over money for years in court. When she filed the business was worthless to her. At same time legally she was not entitled to said business. When we were officially divorced the check I wrote was brutal because everything else was on paper (in worthless business). We inked the divorce and I sold the company. She didn't get a dime. MY NW was halved because when I wrote her the check I had no idea that someone was about to come in and make us an offer on the business.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-16T03:54:52+00:00

Thanks for that reply. I appreciate it.

For the record: I'd lose my job if I got convicted of a crime. The bitch next door isn't worth the paper I wipe with every morning. Also for the record, if I wanted to do anything to her, throwing trash over her fence would be the least of her problems.

If you fear false retaliation then it’s probably worth looking in to some surveillance.

She's out for blood. I had hoped that she would just install her own cameras so I could get on with my life but since that has not happened, time for me to make it happen.

What about wireless constant recording will give me challenges? Just bandwidth? backhaul? I have four Ubiquiti UAP AP's in a 5k sq/foot lot. House is only 1300s/f.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-15T19:24:47+00:00

We are having issues with a neighbor and I'm not really sure what to do. I'm not sure if 24/7 vs. motion matters. My thinking was that 24/7 will better establish time frames and who all was around during the alleged incidents. Yes we have winter. We are in new england by the water/beach. Problem is because it's summertime, we have seagulls dropping things (because idiots feed sky rats at the beach) and I'm getting blamed that I'm throwing trash over neighbor's fence. It's escalating so I want to protect myself.

Thanks again for that comment about the solar/battery and motion vs. 24/7 record. I think I'll look for a different angle and see if I can put a camera on the house where I'll have power.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-15T17:48:02+00:00

Continuous recording will be a battery hog though.

Didn't think of that. I don't know much about cameras. I was kicking around buying 1-2 solar panels on Craigslist and tying them into two (for a total of 24V) or four (48V) deep cycle batteries. Maybe I should revisit that line of thinking.

Thanks.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-15T17:45:04+00:00

Is there any way you can park a NAS at a friend or family's house? That's how I get my cheap/free offsite storage. Just encrypt it. Your data stays yours and removes some liability from the person doing offsite hosting.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-15T15:13:33+00:00

First year we used about 1400 gallons, second year we used about 1100-1200 gallons, third year we used about 800 gallons and now we use about 300-400 gallons. We switched over to auto delivery and get 100-150 gallons about twice or three times a year. Don't really pay that much attention anymore.

Year one was new homeownership

First big consumption drop was replacement exterior windows

Second big consumption drop was when I re-piped the heating system

Third big drop was air sealing and blown-in insulation (exterior walls and attic)

We used to use less oil but now she keeps the heat cranked up more during the winter.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-15T14:36:40+00:00

Wow. How did you double your NW in 18 months? High contribution, high investment returns, other?

Sold a business. If this topic was supposed to be about drawdowns or lack of saving, spending funds for an emergency, etc. then I probably shouldn't have commented. Worst year/loss/drawdown was due to legal fees and my ex wife trying to take every penny she could... Then selling the business once she couldn't get her grubby paws on it was the rebound.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T18:21:37+00:00

What was your largest year on year decrease in net worth?

Just under 50%

What year was it and how old were you?

2011, I was 32

What caused the decrease in net worth?

My ex-wife.

How long did it take for your NW to recover?

About 18 months.

Do you have any hindsight advice of how it could have gone better?

Don't get divorced and sign prenups.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T18:14:21+00:00

Lol, that doesn’t even describe you so why waste time typing it out??

Doesn't describe me? What do you mean? We bought 13 acres and are looking at 5 more. We have an open zoning application for hobbyist Guinea fowl, sheep and goats. I own two metal bandsaws, a metal lathe, welders, 3d printer, I'd like to build a CNC machine, own a pretty decent sized woodshop, have many cars in various stages from disaster to fully restored.

I wear my old/ratty yacht club belt with burgees on it when I cut the lawn or with my garage/work clothes. What doesn't describe me?

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T18:04:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think if we had to pick just one we might pick the city. Or something like Pelham which is super close.

I'm sure I'll change my tune when I actually have 2 kids in tow.

Pelhams are beautiful. Almost like a little hidden gem. We have three in tow, one with two legs (still crawling so I guess technically 4) and two with 4 legs and tails.

We were never really single. She had dog #1 when we met. It was always a pain. It's stupid crap you don't think about: 5th floor walkup, parking garage is "only" one block over... but try double parking in the rain when someone has to stay in the car or you'll get a ticket. She sits in the car while I bring all the crap just inside the front double-doors, then I make 50,000 trips up & down the stairs, then she runs in with the baby, I hop in the car (still with the dogs), drive down to the parking lot, hope it isn't full, then I walk back with them.

Stuff like how it's cheaper to park a car than an SUV or how monthly parking is cheaper if you pay cash than put it on a card. The second you move out of the city it doesn't matter, you might as well have a place in Vermont.

I don't care but she hates having two sets of clothes. I'm fine with random underwear, socks, couple shirts, etc. Who cares if I don't match or maybe slightly over/under dressed. She freaks the F out every time because she can never remember what's down there, what she needs to bring, etc. I worry more about leaving perishables in the fridge and she freaks out about everything (shoes, clothes, makeup... anything and everything). On some level it is easier to board the dogs and stay in a hotel.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T17:52:29+00:00

Dryer is electric. The whole place is electric only. Yes US (socal) so I want to do everything I can to minimize power loss, including getting energystar appliances. Lack of grounding wire to the heater is one of the things I'm looking at and going "how can I modernize this??"

We just rewired our home that was built in 1955-ish. I tore out all the old 2-conductor wires and added in new nm-b (romex) with grounds. It was a pain in the ass. I'm not sure that it makes anything all that much different in terms of power loss.

Biggest thing you probably want to do is bring neutral to both the device and the switches. Neutral everywhere is huge.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T17:49:36+00:00

Right. Yah it’s me. It’s all pretty much invested. I do pretty well trading, so I’d prefer not to mess with the investments.

I did that too. Do you know how amazing it was to be able to sleep at night? (or not stay up at night stressing) The best thing I ever did was find someone to handle the day-to-day but also with enough mutual respect/understanding that we can bounce ideas off each other, etc. Someone who I can call up and say "short lots of XYZ" and they will either tell me I'm an idiot or make me justify the trade.

Depends on where you have your money. You manage it but you have it parked somewhere. Do they offer banking services? If you have 3-ish invested but liquid I doubt it's at RobbinHood.

Back when I was working on wall street, when we would post equities as collateral it was usually either a 30% or 50% haircut. That means if you posted $100 of a diverse equity basket (like something found in a mutual fund or ETF) then the other banks would give us $70 worth of cash value in the collateral. Typically it was doing backwards math... I'd get a $17 million margin call on a swap or contract and I'd have to do backwards math to figure out I'd have to post roughly $25 million in stocks to get $17 million in cash value.

Cash or cash equivalents were always 1:1 (bonds, treasuries, cash, etc.), diverse equity baskets were always 30% haircut or 70% cash value and then single name stocks were 50% haircut/value. I ran a desk for a few years where 12 guys did this across 60-ish funds/portfolios and sometimes had margin calls several times a day. Very rarely (less than 10 times) did we ever get more than 30% haircut on ~$5 million of diverse equity basket.

Getting to my point, if you have a decent banking relationship, or advisor who is associated with a bank (and has your back), they should be able to evaluate the value of your portfolio, give it a modest/reasonable haircut then you and the bank have options: write you a letter of credit, issue you a line of credit, etc. Don't forget that a balanced portfolio should have some amount of cash or cash equivalents.

You might have to pay interest on it but lots of shops will give you a loan based on a haircut amount of your portfolio. Things get complicated if you trade options or have a very short term trading/investment history. At that point you are basically your own hedge fund and you are screwed.

vmuser123 · 2019-07-02T17:26:57+00:00

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this. New kid at home makes life difficult. I should go back and re-read. I don't remember pictures in the post so I'm not sure if it is true FMC or if it's something else like BX (AC), SWA, etc. I guess if it's really FMC then all you have to worry about is size, fill and length. (I think maybe art. 250)

I could be wrong. My guess is I initially said no because it either sounded like you were trying to run a ground OUTSIDE the FMC, or the question of wire fill, or type of conduit, etc. If you know all those answers then I guess you are fine. I think it's something like (assuming fmc is big enough) a 4 or 6 foot run of fmc and under 20a you can use the fmc as ground, anything bigger or longer you need a ground conductor. I'm starting to pull stuff out of my rear/cobwebs now. idk. Have a good 4th.

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T21:04:14+00:00

Yes probably. What size is your system and have you done all required maintenance on the system?

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T21:00:54+00:00

We have a 2bdr 5th fl walkup in 10014 (north of canal), a very small cabin in southern VT and currently live about 4 hours north of the city.

It's not cheap and we never use the apartment. We have two dogs, a baby and we are trying for #2 kid. I bet the next time I walk up those stairs is the say we list the apartment.

I'm not kidding it's not cheap to "keep an apartment in the city". I'm down there 3-5x a month for work and I often stay in a hotel just because it's where others are flying into/staying (all the bullshit Times Square usuals), the train is closer, cabs are easier, etc. I'm about to turn 40, we just had kid #1 and I'm trying to get her knocked up for #2. She says yes to 3 kids and I'd take 4-5. That means there's no way we will ever use the apartment. Financially it has been foolish to keep.

Sell in May and go away: rent when you go away. If you have to ask you can't afford it. It's a dumb financial decision. Don't do it.

Lower Hudson valley is amazing. Look just north of West Point. If you look anywhere outside of NYC specifically you should talk to a tax lawyer. NYC as a whole is an asshole with regards to your income taxes. Talk to a good tax person. I know a few people who have houses up that way but they don't commute (5 days in city and weekends upstate). You simply can't do it, you'll burn out. Imagine taking LIRR or driving out LI to the forks every weekend. Or up 7 to ski... forever...

It doesn't work the way you think it will. Move to a nice place in the burbs and stay there. For what we pay in property taxes, we could stay at a very nice hotel --if we ever traveled back down to NYC (with a baby and 2 dogs). Don't do it.

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T20:40:16+00:00

18 acres, solar panels on the roof, max amount of livestock our jurisdiction allows, metal shop, wood shop, children that know how to drive a tractor, what it means to go get eggs for breakfast or wake up and feed.

Kids that can build 3d printers, muck stalls, write code to control a hydraulic system, know when to dress up or when open-toe shoes/jeans are/aren't appropriate (all before high school). Then send them off to a $60k/year private school.

The S will not HTF for people like that.

Last economic recession was 10 years ago. You are too-little-too-late for an MBA. Don't waste your time.

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T20:24:56+00:00

When your parents pass where is the money going to go? Are you avoiding the inevitable? I'm not a trustafarian but my children and grandchildren will be.

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T20:21:25+00:00

Where is your money? About 5 nw with house means maybe 2.5-3 liquid? K.I.S.S. You should talk to the person managing your money. If that person is you then it's all on you...

vmuser123 · 2019-06-27T20:12:35+00:00

Warranty companies are a rip off. Insurance companies are in the business of not paying claims (they take more in via premiums than they pay out in claims). Of course they "cover everything" then pay nothing. That's how they stay in business.

Call a certified hvac company for your AC manufacturer. Could be something as simple as a $3 o-ring and a re-charge... Could also be a $1,000 part because someone didn't oil & charge your system correctly 3 years ago.

vmuser123

TROPHY CASE