How to setup iPhoto on QNAP?

[mmoonshi]

Hello there,

Before I request for suggestions on how to best implement and store my 400GB+ of photos, which currently is stored in iPhoto, here's my home network, QNAP and MacOS environment:

Broadband
- 100Mbps Fibre Broadband
- Static IP with VPN enabled

QNAP TS-221
- HDD: 2x 2TB SATA in RAID-1
- Firmware: 4.4.3.0262 (Build: 20170727)

1x Apple Macbook Air
- MacOS 10.12.6
- 120GB SSD HDD

1x Apple imAc 27"
- MacOS 10.12.6
- 500GB SSD HDD

Due to the limited storage of QNAP TS221, I recently bought a TS-669 Pro with 6x 1TB HDDs configured in RAID-5, giving me 5TB of usable storage.

I am now seeking the best way to setup my QNAP TS-669 to:
- use it as TimeMachine backup for automatic daily backups
- store and access Apple iPhoto library that is now about 400GB+ and will grow to 800GB in the next 12 to 18 months;
- store and access my videos and music and access it from anywhere
- implement iTunes Server and stream my music from anywhere
- get Qsync to work properly so I can terminate Dropbox and BOX

Can someone guide me, especially on using TS669 with iPhoto please?

regards,
ishnoom

[dolbyman]

- time machine backups are explained in the manual

- storing iphoto(s) on a NAS seems to be difficult
https://www.google.ca/search?q=iPhoto+N ... 20&bih=948
(quick google)


- more info needed (what is anywhere (LAN+WAN) and what devices are involved)

- ITunes server is explained in the manual

- What are the qsync issues ?

Link to the manual:
http://docs.qnap.com/nas/4.3/cat2/en/index.html

[Trexx]

Really the only thing you end up doing for iPhoto is to move the iPhoto Library "file" over to the QNAP. Then you Option start iPhoto to give you the option to point to the new library location. Due to the 1Gb NW connection between your MACs and the QNAP, it is likely going to be MUCH slower in terms of responsiveness than what you are used to today.

There are some trade-offs in terms of using SMB vs. AFP for accessing the file, but either of them will still be noticeably slower than you local SSD.

TimeMachine - Google for QNAP TM tutorials
Video & Photo - multiple options for how to solve (QPhoto/QVideo, Plex, etc.)
iTunes Server - follow QNAP tutorials/documentation
Qsync - follow QNAP tutorials/documentation (note - no QSync app for IOS, but can access files via QFile)

[mmoonshi]

Hi dolbyman,

1/ Thank you for the guidance. I got my TimeMachine backups running now.
2/ Yes, till date no viable solution to run iPhotos library on Qnap NAS w/o impacting performance.
3/ iTunes server is running now
4/ Qsync issues -- sync keeps on failing. I have 18GB+ of data on my iMac that I sync with BOX.com. I am still relying on BOX for now, but would like to replace it soon with Qsync if I can get it to sync 100%.

Regards,
Moonshi

- time machine backups are explained in the manual

- storing iphoto(s) on a NAS seems to be difficult
https://www.google.ca/search?q=iPhoto+N ... 20&bih=948
(quick google)

- more info needed (what is anywhere (LAN+WAN) and what devices are involved)

- ITunes server is explained in the manual

- What are the qsync issues ?

Link to the manual:
http://docs.qnap.com/nas/4.3/cat2/en/index.html

[mmoonshi]

Hello Paul, thank you for your kind inputs.

I managed to create a IMG disk with 500GB storage on QNAP, and mounting the disk to my iMac to used it as my iPhoto Library. Performance is better in my tests but still not fast enough as a viable solution. I might have to migrate all my 400GB+ of images to Qphoto. Will read and research first before I make that decision.

1/ I got my TimeMachine backup running.
2/ Will research and test Qphoto before deciding. Any reading materials and pointers are appreciated.
3/ iTunes server is also running now.
4/ Qsync still fails to sync all 18GB+ of data.

Regards,
Moonshi

Really the only thing you end up doing for iPhoto is to move the iPhoto Library "file" over to the QNAP. Then you Option start iPhoto to give you the option to point to the new library location. Due to the 1Gb NW connection between your MACs and the QNAP, it is likely going to be MUCH slower in terms of responsiveness than what you are used to today.

There are some trade-offs in terms of using SMB vs. AFP for accessing the file, but either of them will still be noticeably slower than you local SSD.

TimeMachine - Google for QNAP TM tutorials
Video & Photo - multiple options for how to solve (QPhoto/QVideo, Plex, etc.)
iTunes Server - follow QNAP tutorials/documentation
Qsync - follow QNAP tutorials/documentation (note - no QSync app for IOS, but can access files via QFile)

[Trexx]

No problem Moonshi.

2) QPhoto is ok, Here is one option in terms of duplicating the files from your iPhoto into QPhoto. http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/01/ ... rnal-drive

Just replace external drive with your SMB/AFP shared folder.

Biggest downside is maintenance, although I believe QPhoto IOS app now has option to upload photo's to QPhoto library. Downside is I believe it will have to pull full size image down to upload to Qphoto.

4) Make sure running latest QTS version and QSync Mac Client. If you have both, I would open helpdesk ticket with QNAP.