I ended up purchasing a Promise NS4600 and have to say I am completely satisfied with it. While the initial cost for NS4600 is a bit higher than the Drobo (about $430.00 street cost), the cost is actually less expensive than when adding the cost of the “DroboShare” to the Drobo for network access since this option is already built in and with other options far superior in the SmartStor NS 4600.

The setup is about as tough as your answering a few basic questions trough a very simple well written application accessed through any browser that will build the raid for you, and while your RAID is permanent after being built, if properly planned in advance you should not have to worry about your data again with the exception of fire, water damage, or theft. Very important data should always a have triple redundant backup if possible; First Copy: your working file, Second Copy: flash drive or other external HD, and the Third Copy: permanently burned to CD/DVD/Blue Ray and stored off site; another choice is to also store your information off-site through one of the new “Off-Site Storage” networks, but this a matter choice, especially when security may be an issue.

The following link will take you to Promise Technologies site to read about this products features, which I have tested most of for myself; http://www.promise.com/product/product_detail_eng.asp?product_id=211

Good luck with whatever device you eventually choose.

After contacting the Data Robotics technical support line (the makers of the Drobo) on three different occasions for three different issues, the final solution was always to reformat my RAID. The time and effort to copy data back and forth across multiple hard drives (obviously my 4TB Drobo RAID is bigger then my individual drives) gets old really fast, especially at the speed at which the Drobo copies even through the “DroboShare” (which in itself works very well). Let me not forget to mention that the support hold time can be longer than most, and when someone eventually comes on the line, though pleasant and will run through a very thorough checklist of troubleshooting methods, if they can not find the solution will tell you someone will call you back; but unless reminded no one will. I waited over a month, I called back twice to remind them of my issue only to have to go through some of the same troubleshooting before the person would conclude that yes my problem needed to be escalated to level three support. Another week later, I have to say a very nice person in level three support, tells me how they understand how frustrated I must be and will try to help, but in the end cannot.

I had had my Drobo for six months and had only gotten about a months worth of use from it; now I need to find a way to discard it without contributing to the destruction of the environment as the Drobo is made, almost completely of plastic; maybe a plant holder for a cactus plant.

I have to recommend that if you are looking for a home SAN/RAID solution, stay as far away from the DROBO as possible. It is by no means ready for someone who wants to actually store data safely.

STEER CLEAR of Drobo!

10/4/2008: From Bryan — I don’t know if you should trust this comment. The email address was invalid.

I suggest backing up to DVDs or having another hard drive. One cannot have too many backups.

I saw your Twitter update about wishing you had a Time Capsule, so I felt more compelled to post this ASAP.

JungleDisk has been great, but I didn’t even think about it for photos. It would be too slow to upload.

Just make sure you research. Find out what your favorite photographers use before you commit.

I think I’ve been reading up on the Drobo for probably 2-3 weeks before deciding that I would buy it.