| Re: Drobo set up
I have been using a Drobo for just about a year now. It is not the newer firewire model, but the USB has not proven to be much of a bottleneck.
I do not use it as you describe, which sounds like a backup device, but I use it as my primary data storage. I also have a MacPro, but currently only have a single 250gb drive in it, which contains my system files, applications, and user files.
The Drobo contains 4 500gb drives, and both it and the system drive back up to a single 1 tb external HD via Time Machine. I also mirror all of my data to several offsite locations, depending on the type of data.
I am very happy with this arrangement, and feel very secure about my data.
My reasoning behind my choice of using the Drobo as a primary data site, rather than a backup is simple. While I have had very few hardware failures in the last 20 years, the data loss from those failures proved to be current data that had not yet been backed up. And that data was the most needed at the time.
By using the Drobo as primary storage, a HD failure at any time does not cause ANY data loss, and no interruption of work. I have had several needs for data recovery due to errors in deletion, etc. These are easily recovered from Time Machine.
I did have some problems with the Drobo when I first got it. It crashed several times, and on a couple of occasions required a complete reset, which means a complete restoration of its data from backup.
The unit was noticeably running noisy and hot right out of the box, and after several discussions with Tech Support, the unit was replaced under warranty. It has been working perfectly ever since.
I have recently been thinking about moving my Drobo from its current attachment to the MacPro, to the USB outlet on my Airport. This way I can easily access my data from a laptop and let my MacPro sleep more.  | 
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