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Anybody have any experience with external Network HD's? My church is wanting to get one but I have no experience with them. What I would really like is to be able to change out the HD's if it goes bad. Perhaps a External HD Enclosure that has Network capabilities?
I was looking at these but they are not perfect:
Iomega:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822161614
Buffalo Tech:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822155302
So you don't want to go as far as a full Network Attached Storage Solution?
There is a usb2.0 network storage link at newegg... this would give you the ability to plug in two usb hard drives - giving you a back up facility.
Explain please. I thought the two I linked to were NAS.Quote:
So you don't want to go as far as a full Network Attached Storage Solution?
network attached storage is a full blown file server... those are single hard drives with a nic... similar idea, but not enterprise capable.
For many reasons we can't/don't need a server. Just extra network storage so I can get it off our pastor's computer.
then a shared usb drive would be the cheapest...
Ok. Thanks Noonoo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817605002
Found this on Newegg. Looks like what I am wanting. Bit expensive though compared to those others I linked to because this doesn't include a HD but oh well. 160gig HD's are $30-50 now after rebates.
I know NooNoo told you that a NAS device was/is a 'file server', but don't get panicked by that distiction, there are advantages (for your additional costs) ..Quote:
Originally Posted by eedmond
I think the eastiest visualisation to get the difference between additional storage (adding a disk into a machine) & a NAS drive (I'll call it network aware storage, as it needn't be attached to anything {infact that's the whole point !}), is to think about the differences between a local & a network printer..
Both devices can print, but the local printer needs its host on to print & as far as any network goes is always a 'child' of that (if its host is bust, so is it) wheras a network printer doesn't need a windows box to help it connect (or any other box to act as 'host'), it has its own network connection & address & is sufficienly aware of network protocols to operate independently.
Exactly the same applies for an additional external drive vs a NAS device (device not drive, as the device could have many drives in it ;))
Seems to only take one drive... so would that be a disadvantage?
The usb 2 thing I linked earlier provides the network capability and then you just plug in usb2 drives or drive caddies... works out cheaper and allows two disks.
Oh so it does .. so I'd say for the money the link you gave is probably the best choice, but as it means buying a sperate usb disk & enclosure anyways, we seem to be back where we started .. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by NooNoo
Yes, but I am thinking offsite backup here....Quote:
What I would really like is to be able to change out the HD's if it goes bad.
Nope, not offsite storage or anything. Just extra storage space for everybody on the network to use. Just HD's are known to go bad and don't want to buy a new external HD everytime. Why spend $150 for a 160GB external HD when I can buy a internal one for $30-$50.
exactly my point!!
You buy a usb caddy for a hard drive for around 20 bux or less (get two!) then you can use ANY internal hard drive you want. Swapping out the hard drives is dead easy and you have the ability to run two such usb hard drive caddies at the same time.
80 bux for the network usb widget, 20bux for the enclosure then choose a hard drive!
Same price but infinitely more flexible.
That's a good idea but the closet that this is in has a small shelf about 3 feet long and 1 foot deep. I already have on that shelf a wireless router, DSL Router, Battery backup system and a few other small things. I am not sure if I could fit 2-3 more external enclosures up there. Plus there isn't alot of plug ins in the room. In fact there is only one and all that is plugged into it plus the church's phone system and a few other phone related devices.
Next thing will be heat issues if all that lot is stuffed in an unventilated cupboard.
Yup, we already had our DSL router die due to heat. We since put in a Vent in the top of the door which has helped quite a bit. Probably should put another one in the bottom so cool are can come in.
You might also think about putting an oscillating fan in there also just to get the air moving. Even tho it might be warm, any air flow is better than none.