I would suggest you get the 120 day evaluation of Windows Home Server (available here), install VMWare (available here)on your PC, and try it out before you buy it (that's what i'm gonna do), just to make sure it'll do what you want.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Inexpensive, mac-based server solution.
- Thread starter I'm a Mac
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Here's the bottom line for Time Machine and network shares:
It has to be AFP, and it has to be on the root of the share. I believe there are a few other restrictions too.
IIRC, Windows 2003 has some ability to serve AFP shares. I don't know wether or not it has a new enough version to support Time Machine.
There is hope regardless of that mess though. This hack enables you to backup to any share regardless of wether its supported. (I don't know if it actually works)
It has to be AFP, and it has to be on the root of the share. I believe there are a few other restrictions too.
IIRC, Windows 2003 has some ability to serve AFP shares. I don't know wether or not it has a new enough version to support Time Machine.
There is hope regardless of that mess though. This hack enables you to backup to any share regardless of wether its supported. (I don't know if it actually works)
Sounds like the OP has found a solution for their situation, but I wanted to add a couple things:
For example, where I work we run an XServe, set up to share an HFS+ RAID1 drive set via both AFP and SMB (Windows). Both the Macs and the Windows boxes here can mount and use that shared volume just fine.
I've set up other businesses with a Windows 2003 server NTFS volume that was mounted from both Macs and PCs; in that case, the Macs were mounting it via the built-in SMB support, which also works just fine.
Mainly, though, I wanted to mention that I just set up exactly this sort of thing at my house; I bought a used G4 Gigabit tower (450MHz) for $100 off eBay, installed a copy of 10.4 I had on it, put a SATA card in it, and plugged in a couple of large, cheap SATA drives. Stuck it in the closet, connected it to my sound system, and I now use it as an in-house fileserver and my iTunes server. Once I get around to buying a copy of iLife, I'll also use it as my photo repository.
In my case, instead of using the server as backup, since I do a lot of work on both a laptop and desktop, I am working with files directly off of it. That way I really only need to have it do internal backups (from one of its drives to another), and I can easily access all my data whichever computer I happen to be using (or mount it via the internet when away from home).
With a gigabit hub (one of the new Airport base stations, in my case, which also acts as a print server) file access from any wired computer is not appreciably different from a local drive.
I do also run a small backup program on the machines that dumps a copy of the bookmarks and other prefs into a specified location on the server.
Quite nice, if that's the way you want to work. I personally prefer the centralized storage concept to just a backup server--keeps me from having to connect directly to another of my machines that has a file I need, or from having two copies of the same thing out of synch. But, that's just me and the way I work. (Also nice to have a dedicated in-house webserver for page testing, instead of running a local server on each computer.)
Were I to want to do ONLY backups, I'd probably have gone with a NAS.
If you're using it for networked storage, it doesn't much matter what format the actual drive is in--as long as the client computer can mount the particular type of share, it'll work fine for nearly anything.
For example, where I work we run an XServe, set up to share an HFS+ RAID1 drive set via both AFP and SMB (Windows). Both the Macs and the Windows boxes here can mount and use that shared volume just fine.
I've set up other businesses with a Windows 2003 server NTFS volume that was mounted from both Macs and PCs; in that case, the Macs were mounting it via the built-in SMB support, which also works just fine.
Mainly, though, I wanted to mention that I just set up exactly this sort of thing at my house; I bought a used G4 Gigabit tower (450MHz) for $100 off eBay, installed a copy of 10.4 I had on it, put a SATA card in it, and plugged in a couple of large, cheap SATA drives. Stuck it in the closet, connected it to my sound system, and I now use it as an in-house fileserver and my iTunes server. Once I get around to buying a copy of iLife, I'll also use it as my photo repository.
In my case, instead of using the server as backup, since I do a lot of work on both a laptop and desktop, I am working with files directly off of it. That way I really only need to have it do internal backups (from one of its drives to another), and I can easily access all my data whichever computer I happen to be using (or mount it via the internet when away from home).
With a gigabit hub (one of the new Airport base stations, in my case, which also acts as a print server) file access from any wired computer is not appreciably different from a local drive.
I do also run a small backup program on the machines that dumps a copy of the bookmarks and other prefs into a specified location on the server.
Quite nice, if that's the way you want to work. I personally prefer the centralized storage concept to just a backup server--keeps me from having to connect directly to another of my machines that has a file I need, or from having two copies of the same thing out of synch. But, that's just me and the way I work. (Also nice to have a dedicated in-house webserver for page testing, instead of running a local server on each computer.)
Were I to want to do ONLY backups, I'd probably have gone with a NAS.
Cool. Since the OP wants to use his setup for backups, would there be any issues you know of in terms of file permissions, Mac resource forks, etc., if he went with FAT32?
I am actually looking for a solution where I can access files from PC's and Mac's (both from within my network and remotely over the internet).
What would be the best option?
If I access the files from PC's and Mac's, rather than just reading the files, I want to be able to write to the server too. (So basically I want one system where I can store all my files, so that I can read and write them from PC's and Mac's.)
Thanks
What would be the best option?
If I access the files from PC's and Mac's, rather than just reading the files, I want to be able to write to the server too. (So basically I want one system where I can store all my files, so that I can read and write them from PC's and Mac's.)
Thanks
As mentioned above, something like this might suit your needs.
Keep in mind, though, that all you really need is a solution your Macs and PCs can see, even if it itself isn't visible via the net, because you can always connect to your Mac or PC and from there access the files.
Keep in mind, though, that all you really need is a solution your Macs and PCs can see, even if it itself isn't visible via the net, because you can always connect to your Mac or PC and from there access the files.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
A NAS (network attached storage) is virtually immune to filesystem incompatibility. The particular NAS seems to use SMB (Windows) shares which Macs can write to.
I have the HP MediaSmart Server (with Windows Home Server). You cannot use the server as a drive for Time Machine. Time Machine requires a HFS+ formatted drive with journaling enabled.
This is required for Time Machine to work as it has to do with file linking.
The terminal hack previously referred to—allows Time Machine to backup to network attached HFS+ drives only.
You can mount the MediaSmart Server easily in Mac OS X as a SAMBA share. There is no file size limitation like with FAT32. However, SAMBA can be buggy with large transfers. I (and HP and Microsoft) would recommend using a hard-wired network with the MediaSmart Server and avoiding wireless.
Needless to say, I personally feel the MediaSmart Server and Windows Home Server software (particularly the "automatic" router configuration, domain setup and remote access features) is extremely buggy and I'm currently in the process of returning my unit.
I'm seriously considering a Mac mini with Leopard Server (I'm an ADC member) and a USB attached Drobo.
This is required for Time Machine to work as it has to do with file linking.
The terminal hack previously referred to—allows Time Machine to backup to network attached HFS+ drives only.
You can mount the MediaSmart Server easily in Mac OS X as a SAMBA share. There is no file size limitation like with FAT32. However, SAMBA can be buggy with large transfers. I (and HP and Microsoft) would recommend using a hard-wired network with the MediaSmart Server and avoiding wireless.
Needless to say, I personally feel the MediaSmart Server and Windows Home Server software (particularly the "automatic" router configuration, domain setup and remote access features) is extremely buggy and I'm currently in the process of returning my unit.
I'm seriously considering a Mac mini with Leopard Server (I'm an ADC member) and a USB attached Drobo.
Sounds like a good set up... Don't know how and why leopard server is used, though. Maybe you could simplify and give me details? Also, what is drobo? And would you attach externals to the mac mini?
P.S. how would this network with pc's? I know it would be great with leopard with screen sharing and back to my mac.
This is drobo.
And Leopard Server is something you get with Apple Developer Connection Select and Premier memberships (for as long as you maintain the membership) - otherwise it's $499 or more. So... might not really be what you want. It's great, but most of what it can do, you can do in "regular" Leopard, with just just a bit more effort.
And Leopard Server is something you get with Apple Developer Connection Select and Premier memberships (for as long as you maintain the membership) - otherwise it's $499 or more. So... might not really be what you want. It's great, but most of what it can do, you can do in "regular" Leopard, with just just a bit more effort.
It seems like a very reliable external drive suited for a network, but it's usb 2, so wouldn't it be very slow? Also, let's say I got a mac mini and connected it to the drobo and network, etc. How would I back up using windows or mac? Would I have to format them differently if I wanted to use time machine?
You can find out whether the mac is gigabit ethernet by going to everymac.com (their machine current value estimate is way out of date though)
Depends on where you are, you may be able to get a deal locally at Craigs List, craigslist.org
Do not get NAS. They are under powered for what they are.
Do not get windows. They can auto update / shut down / restart WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION at any time, even if you have transfers going on. (5 minutes to allow user to say no to restarting without saving isn't permission).
Set up Windows sharing on the Mac so Windows can see it is easy.
Depends on where you are, you may be able to get a deal locally at Craigs List, craigslist.org
Do not get NAS. They are under powered for what they are.
Do not get windows. They can auto update / shut down / restart WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION at any time, even if you have transfers going on. (5 minutes to allow user to say no to restarting without saving isn't permission).
Set up Windows sharing on the Mac so Windows can see it is easy.
that sounds like SWEET solution. i have a couple of questions:
1) how can u use it as an itunes and iphoto server?
2) how do u access via internet when away from home?
3) u said "file access from any wired computer is not appreciably different from a local drive". can u not do it wirelessly?
I have a G4 DP 500 with Mac OS X Leopard server (I get it cheap at uni), it runs LDAP so it handles my accounts. The profiles are stored on the server as well which gets backed up to a firewire drive.
Other than that, I take images of my machines every couple weeks as well. I drop them down on a spare drive to make sure they are operational and not corrupt. I keep a total of 3 images at any given time for a machine. They are on the server and the external.
I plan on changing this soon. Getting a RAID card for the Power Mac and running a RAID 10. Then getting a Drobo for redundancy.
I am waiting for the Drobo to get a price drop and some new features added, NAS most likely. I got an email that says they should be announcing something at MWSF.
Other than that, I take images of my machines every couple weeks as well. I drop them down on a spare drive to make sure they are operational and not corrupt. I keep a total of 3 images at any given time for a machine. They are on the server and the external.
I plan on changing this soon. Getting a RAID card for the Power Mac and running a RAID 10. Then getting a Drobo for redundancy.
I am waiting for the Drobo to get a price drop and some new features added, NAS most likely. I got an email that says they should be announcing something at MWSF.
This is definitely the way to go. Use whatever OS knowledge/$$ allows. I've got a similar system running except It's a $100 P4 Dell (also from eBay) running Linux. The entire file system is ext3. The server runs SAMBA which both the Mac and the PC can read from / write to. The server runs it's own backups to a local HD.
The XP box is set to "map network drive on start up" for each SAMBA share.
Find share on network places -> entire network -> network name -> server ->shares
Right click on share, click "map network" follow instructions in dialog box don't forget to click the "reconnect on start up" button.
The mini is set up to mount all the network shares on start up.
Finder | Network | Server | connect
repeat until all share are on desktop.
Drag shares into "Login Items" section of System Preferences -> Accounts.
Then drag shares into any folder where you'd like a link (e.g. drag the "Photo" share into ~/Pictures)
iTunes on both is pointed to the "Music" SAMBA Share.
iPhoto is pointed to the "Photos" share.
(there is also a "Video" share and a "Documents" share)
Wired vs. Wireless doesn't matter as long as your network hardware has enough juice.
I don't want our computers accessible outside of the house so I really can't speak to that, but it shouldn't be too big of a deal.
A Possible simple solution
Hi Check this site out www.synology.com any of the multi disk units would be fine as you could setup a simple mirror using 2 or 4 drives to give some resiliance to your data vault also most of these units offer itunes server function so this would also be a great cental media store. also these units have usb ports so when funds allow you could attach an external USB HDD to create an off site copy to be stored perhaps at work etc. Personal recommendation would be the CS407 with 4 500 or 750GB drives as I think 1TB drives are currently to expensive.
Best regards
Hi Check this site out www.synology.com any of the multi disk units would be fine as you could setup a simple mirror using 2 or 4 drives to give some resiliance to your data vault also most of these units offer itunes server function so this would also be a great cental media store. also these units have usb ports so when funds allow you could attach an external USB HDD to create an off site copy to be stored perhaps at work etc. Personal recommendation would be the CS407 with 4 500 or 750GB drives as I think 1TB drives are currently to expensive.
Best regards
Ok, back on this subject... I've now decided to buy a 2nd hand G4 or G5 Power Mac to use as a server for my PC's and my Mac's. Would I need to use Mac OSX Server or could I use the standard Mac OSX?
Were you able to format HFS+ and share it using freenas?? I installed freenas for my windows drives but can't figure out how to mount and share a hfs+ drive.
Standard OSX works great.
If you are asking such question, you don't need OSX server.