Hello,
I am looking for a solution for my backup and media storage/streaming needs. I have been researching for a while, but thought that it might be prudent to ask for advice.
My current setup:
ADSL modem (Thomson Speedtouch) ->
- Ruckus 2111 -> digital TV box
- Airport Express -> Macbook Air & streaming to external speakers
- Linksys WRT54GC ->
Mac Mini is also connected to the Airport Express in order to stream music, share files with the Air and do screen sharing (I use it sometimes to control the main computer from the Air). I also use an iPhone as an iTunes remote sometimes. Currently the souped up Mini is using a 250G WD USB disk for Time Machine and a 500G WD USB drive for movies storage. I use Rivet to share/stream the movies to my Xbox 360. The Mini has to sit behind the Linksys in order to stream to the Xbox (I have not figured out another way).
Overall I am quite unhappy with the system. Internet connection is flaky (I blame the Linksys), and weak when I am on another floor (concrete walls). There is no redundancy in my time machine backups nor media and there is insufficient space. I would like to set up a system which plays well with all of the equipment. Main priorities are:
1) reliable backups
2) working media streaming system to the Xbox (Rivet is great, but maybe a NAS would work better, plus isn't dependent on the computer running)
3) low noise, low maintenance, low energy consumption
4) reasonable cost
5) expandability would be nice
I am willing to do some drilling and cabling if needed. What I have been thinking about are:
- Drobo - but not interested after a number of horror stories, plus the low speed and high noise. Maybe a v3 is around the corner though?
- Time Capsule 2TB - this is the sort of capacity I am thinking about, but the negatives are no redundancy (which sounds scary for backups) and no uPnP, hence I would still need to run Rivet for Xbox streaming.
I do like the fact how Apple routers play nicely with each other (and their iTunes streaming) so I am considering the Airport Extreme. I could use the Express to bridge the connection to the Xbox 360 (as its wireless adapter and Airport base stations dont mix at all). Or I could wire and link the Xbox to the router via cable I quess and use the express as a network extender on the other floor. As for storage I would need a minimum of 1TB. If Time Machine can backup to and restore from a NAS then I might prefer that, if it can stream to Xbox independently of the computer.
So my questions would be:
- What storage solution would you suggest?
- Do you think that Time Capsule 2TB is a reliable solution for backups and media storage or not really? (and maybe it is still cheaper to use the TC and add an external drive that would do weekly backups?).
- Can I stream media from a NAS to the Xbox via Airport Extreme (which does not support uPnP) without using Rivet?
- Can I use a NAS as a Time Machine backup destination and a source from which to restore if needed?
Thank you for your help!
I am looking for a solution for my backup and media storage/streaming needs. I have been researching for a while, but thought that it might be prudent to ask for advice.
My current setup:
ADSL modem (Thomson Speedtouch) ->
- Ruckus 2111 -> digital TV box
- Airport Express -> Macbook Air & streaming to external speakers
- Linksys WRT54GC ->
- Mac Mini (via cable to another room)
- Xbox 360 via Xbox wireless adapter
- Samsung NC10 (has trouble keeping a stable connection with the Airport)
- Xbox 360 via Xbox wireless adapter
- Samsung NC10 (has trouble keeping a stable connection with the Airport)
Mac Mini is also connected to the Airport Express in order to stream music, share files with the Air and do screen sharing (I use it sometimes to control the main computer from the Air). I also use an iPhone as an iTunes remote sometimes. Currently the souped up Mini is using a 250G WD USB disk for Time Machine and a 500G WD USB drive for movies storage. I use Rivet to share/stream the movies to my Xbox 360. The Mini has to sit behind the Linksys in order to stream to the Xbox (I have not figured out another way).
Overall I am quite unhappy with the system. Internet connection is flaky (I blame the Linksys), and weak when I am on another floor (concrete walls). There is no redundancy in my time machine backups nor media and there is insufficient space. I would like to set up a system which plays well with all of the equipment. Main priorities are:
1) reliable backups
2) working media streaming system to the Xbox (Rivet is great, but maybe a NAS would work better, plus isn't dependent on the computer running)
3) low noise, low maintenance, low energy consumption
4) reasonable cost
5) expandability would be nice
I am willing to do some drilling and cabling if needed. What I have been thinking about are:
- Drobo - but not interested after a number of horror stories, plus the low speed and high noise. Maybe a v3 is around the corner though?
- Time Capsule 2TB - this is the sort of capacity I am thinking about, but the negatives are no redundancy (which sounds scary for backups) and no uPnP, hence I would still need to run Rivet for Xbox streaming.
I do like the fact how Apple routers play nicely with each other (and their iTunes streaming) so I am considering the Airport Extreme. I could use the Express to bridge the connection to the Xbox 360 (as its wireless adapter and Airport base stations dont mix at all). Or I could wire and link the Xbox to the router via cable I quess and use the express as a network extender on the other floor. As for storage I would need a minimum of 1TB. If Time Machine can backup to and restore from a NAS then I might prefer that, if it can stream to Xbox independently of the computer.
So my questions would be:
- What storage solution would you suggest?
- Do you think that Time Capsule 2TB is a reliable solution for backups and media storage or not really? (and maybe it is still cheaper to use the TC and add an external drive that would do weekly backups?).
- Can I stream media from a NAS to the Xbox via Airport Extreme (which does not support uPnP) without using Rivet?
- Can I use a NAS as a Time Machine backup destination and a source from which to restore if needed?
Thank you for your help!