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max2

macrumors 603
Original poster
May 31, 2015
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Like with usb portable hard drives at least two or is it not recommended to run a laptop as a NAS ?
 
If that’s the gear you have on hand you may as well use it. It’s not any different than running a Mac mini as a NAS, and you should be able to set it up very easily.

This guide is a few years old but very comprehensive. Good luck!




EDIT: just realized you aren’t taking about a Mac.

It still should be doable. What are the specs and OS?
 
If that’s the gear you have on hand you may as well use it. It’s not any different than running a Mac mini as a NAS, and you should be able to set it up very easily.

This guide is a few years old but very comprehensive. Good luck!


Thank you!
 
I was browsing new threads and didn’t see this was the Mac alternative forum. But I can definitely still help. What are the specs and OS of the machine?
 
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Not sure yet.

Maybe from the machine itself with 2 portable usb drives. If possible.

I am a bit confused. Are you wanting to just use the drives with the machine, or access them from a different computer on the network?
 
I am a bit confused. Are you wanting to just use the drives with the machine, or access them from a different computer on the network?
Access them from a different computer on the network. Why? I thought a NAS runs locally at location
 
Like with usb portable hard drives at least two or is it not recommended to run a laptop as a NAS ?
Its possible, just get a copy of FreeNas, set it up and you're off like a herd of turtles.

Performance may be questionable, but depending on your network bandwidth, drive speed and requirements for storage it may be adequate.
 
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I used my Windows desktop as a NAS for a few years and have moved it over to the M1 Mac mini. Windows and Mac should be interoperable about access to the NAS.
 
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