Family Computer Set up -- Need Help!

[BigFlorida]

Family of 4. We have 1 x iMac, 4 x Macbook Pros, and an iPhone. What's the best set up for linking all these together to:

1) Share files (music and photos)?
2) Back up in Time Capsule?
3) Be able to update all software from base computer (iMac) (Is this even possible)?

Is the "OS X Lion Server" software our best option?

Appreciate any advice from any experienced user. This is our first post.

 

[miles01110]

1) Most modern routers have a USB port that you can attach an external hard drive to.
2) Time Capsule + partitions for each computer.
3) Not worth it in a small environment.

If you don't know anything about setting up a server, don't do it.

 

[JRoDDz]

Family of 4. We have 1 x iMac, 4 x Macbook Pros, and an iPhone. What's the best set up for linking all these together to:

1) Share files (music and photos)?
2) Back up in Time Capsule?
3) Be able to update all software from base computer (iMac) (Is this even possible)?

Is the "OS X Lion Server" software our best option?

Appreciate any advice from any experienced user. This is our first post.

Use your iMac for sharing your music and photos. You can use home sharing in iTunes, and you can connect to your iMac iPhoto library from the other Macbooks. For backup you would probably want a Time Capsule, or just an Airport Extreme with an external hard drive attached. As for updates, just let each Mac update itself. No need for any servers.