FreeNAS access with Mac

[Sundance2007]

I'm going to build a NAS server based on the free program FreeNAS. I know my PC's can access it but will my Mac be able to access the information written by the PC's (stored photo and video files)? If not will the Mac see it at all? If the Mac can see it maybe I can set up a space for the Mac and a space for the PC's?

Any other ideas on a NAS server that I can access from my Mac and PC's and share data if FreeNAS will not work?

Also does one need to defrag. a Mac?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[garysims]

Steve,

FreeNAS will work just fine with your Mac. FreeNAS offers Samba (CIFS/Windows) networking which FreeNAS understand and will appear in the SHARED section of the Finder (if you are using Leopard).

It also supports AFP and also automatically appears in the SHARED section of finder.

You can configure as many "shares" as you like and configure them to be available by CIFS or AFP or both.

You can learn more about FreeNAS at the FreeNAS web site or at Learn FreeNAS.

I hope this helps,

Gary

 

[DamienM3]

I built a FreeNas and turned on AFP and nothing... The window machines could access the freenas and it was speedy! The macs could access it via afp but a video stream would not work. The Macs could also access it SMB and was speedy. I have no idea why AFP would not work I never found out and bought a Drobo! There's my experience good luck!

 

[garysims]

DamienM3,



I don't want to be pedantic but in your first sentence you say "I built a FreeNas and turned on AFP and nothing..." but in the next you say "The macs could access it via afp..." which isn't nothing is it?

The AFP server in FreeNAS works well, maybe you were using a old version of FreeNAS, how long ago was this?

But it is good to hear that the Macs could use the FreeNAS via the Windows networking components. Well done Apple!

Sorry for splitting hairs! Gary

 

[DamienM3]

That was a whoops on my part! I turned it on the Macs could get a file list but not stream a video from the FreeNas. My wireless my have had a hand in the problems although I could stream a video from a very slow linksys NLSU. This was about a month ago that I gave up on it. The Drobo price drop made raid easy and I just switched... Perhaps to be more green?

Nice catch on my blunder!

 

[garysims]

This was about a month ago that I gave up on it.

AS recent as that... Hmmm... It should have worked well!!!



Never mind! The Drobo looks like a nice piece of kit!

Gary

 

[DamienM3]

Instead of giving up so fast I should have come here and ask you and the other members!

Next time I will!