Not exactly SLR related, but an issue everyone with a dSLR has to deal
with at some point:  robust content storage.  I recently obtained the
X6, finally deciding that babying various ad hoc disk drives and
computers isn't a job fit for a human being, so why not just get a
robot?

This is essentially what the X6 is:  a machine that manages storage
etc, subject to some high-level input from the human.

For official corporate propaganda, see:

http://www.infrant.com/products_ReadyNAS_X6.htm

You can also read reviews around the net about them;  google up the
obvious.

My experiences are only three days long, but this machine _ROCKS_.

I bought the diskless version, and some 400GB drives.  You open the
box, install the drives (no tools needed, and a child can do this),
close the box, and turn it on.  About 20 minutes later, you have 400GB
accessible, but not completely redundant yet.  Wait about 5 hours, and
redundancy is obtained.

Storage access/update is via standard ethernet.  Just hook it onto your
network.  If you have a DHCP server, the ReadyNAS will politely ask for
an IP number.  Otherwise, it uses a default.  The latter was my case --
though it turns out the default is undocumented.  However, a little
waiting with ethereal (network protocol analyzer) revealed the secret;
this a child may not be able to do, so I'll report that the IP number I
found in use was 192.168.168.168.

To configure the unit for use, just aim your web-browser at
http://ip-number/admin and use the supplied admin name and password
given on one of the quick-start cards.  Anyone who has worked with
computers probably doesn't need to read the user-manual at all, though
one is supplied in PDF form.

Now the cool part:  if you get tired of looking at your 'df' output
saying 370GB, turn the unit off, open the box, and install a third
drive, close the box, and turn it back on.  The machine will
automatically rebuild the container, switching from a RAID1 to a RAID5
configuration, and upsize the filesystem.  Except for the time needed
to rebuild the array (several hours), _no user input is required_, and
this is all done in-place.

Wicked, wicked, wicked!

The manual also notes that if you initially chose 400GB disks, and
later find you need 600GB or whatever is available in a year or two,
you make the switch painlessly.  Just remove one of the 400's, a 600 in
its place, and rebuild.  Repeat for all disks.  This is convenience
with a capital "C" (though it'll take a long time, but alot less time
(and money) than the alternative).

I _HIGHLY RECOMMEND_ this unit, particularly for photograhers who don't
want to become (or continue to be) sysadmins, RAID experts, etc.  The
ReadyNAS X6 just exudes "ease of use", particularly in the extensible
storage department.  And if you accept my recommendation, you are also
advised to obtain a cheapie UPS as well for the gizmo.