Hello @ MacRumors
I seek some advice on storage and accessing my data becuase my sole computer is a MBP. As it only has limited storage space I have an issue storing and accessing all my data. I have used a few external drives but the hassle of plugging and running all these is becoming a real pain as I like to move around with the laptop but am forced to either move the external drives or go and plug the laptop into them.
I have read around and the best method now seems to be some sort of file server or network storage device. The network storage device consumes less power but only really allows one drive to be inserted inside and others attached via the USB ports to add expandibility. This over time may become an issue of multiple attached drives and wires and plus everywhere.
Should I therefore look at making a file server? I have an old pc lying around that is doing nothing. I like the look of the Antec Sonata case becuase it has an efficient power supply and is meant to be quiet and has room for 6 HDDs. It is an old pentium 4 computer and thus should be sufficient to run the server but only allows IDE connections not SATA. I want to install around 3 x 500GB drives that take care of media, documents and various other data.
Would a file server be the best way of having network storage? Will there be an issue of FAT32 or HFS+ formatting issues? Would Ubuntu or FreeNas be the best way of serving up my data? I would possibly like to allow some XP users to have access data but daily an OSX machine would want access to the data as well as dumping data to the machine. Could I also access the data away from home when I am at work or elsewhere?
I can also get access to older mac hardware and attach drives externally but wouldn't this cost more becuase of buying loads of external cases and running into a similar situation like the NAS drives currently on the market?
Any help and thoughts on finding a good solution for me would be great! I am just worried of having the wrong set-up and messing things up. I do not want to really run this set-up 24/7 becuase it would consume too much power.
Thanks,
I seek some advice on storage and accessing my data becuase my sole computer is a MBP. As it only has limited storage space I have an issue storing and accessing all my data. I have used a few external drives but the hassle of plugging and running all these is becoming a real pain as I like to move around with the laptop but am forced to either move the external drives or go and plug the laptop into them.
I have read around and the best method now seems to be some sort of file server or network storage device. The network storage device consumes less power but only really allows one drive to be inserted inside and others attached via the USB ports to add expandibility. This over time may become an issue of multiple attached drives and wires and plus everywhere.
Should I therefore look at making a file server? I have an old pc lying around that is doing nothing. I like the look of the Antec Sonata case becuase it has an efficient power supply and is meant to be quiet and has room for 6 HDDs. It is an old pentium 4 computer and thus should be sufficient to run the server but only allows IDE connections not SATA. I want to install around 3 x 500GB drives that take care of media, documents and various other data.
Would a file server be the best way of having network storage? Will there be an issue of FAT32 or HFS+ formatting issues? Would Ubuntu or FreeNas be the best way of serving up my data? I would possibly like to allow some XP users to have access data but daily an OSX machine would want access to the data as well as dumping data to the machine. Could I also access the data away from home when I am at work or elsewhere?
I can also get access to older mac hardware and attach drives externally but wouldn't this cost more becuase of buying loads of external cases and running into a similar situation like the NAS drives currently on the market?
Any help and thoughts on finding a good solution for me would be great! I am just worried of having the wrong set-up and messing things up. I do not want to really run this set-up 24/7 becuase it would consume too much power.
Thanks,