Dream NAS - Overkill
The main idea is to create something that is very flexible in terms of configuration but still uses (mostly) standard PC components and standard form factors. Upgradeability goes hand in hand with flexibility. Upgradeability is key component of future proofing. Whilst I may eventually need a rack based solution, a moderately powerful desktop NAS should last me for 3-5 years if not more. Linked to upgradeability is using older, slower components in some places to reduce cost. These will be replaced as funds become available. This is a "dream machine". I've named the putative device "Overkill". Use cases It's a high performance NAS for for a couple of workstation class machines that have high speed (>10Gbe) networking. Workloads tend to be database and data crunching rather than video. It's also a NAS and media server for lower specification desktops, laptops and other devices. Especially with an upgraded CPU, lots of RAM and fast storage it would be