Suggestions: Storage Solutions uMBP & PC

[TheSandman2236]

Hey everyone --

I just got my first unibody Macbook Pro & I need a few suggestions.

I currently have a pretty substantial gaming pc with a Dell 3007WFP-HC that I do 90% of my gaming with. Added to that I have a Drobo with 4x500GB' drives making a total of 1TB of usable storage. This was just fine when I didn't have a Macbook Pro But now I've got multi-platform. I was wondering what the best redundant storage solution would be for me.

A few things--
I'm a web developer/designer so I have alot of Porfolio pieces to backup plus a ton of stock/creative assets.

I've got about 40GB's of Music, 700GB's of Movies & TV shows, etc.

I'm trying to decide what would be the best route for me to got for storage/back for both my PC and Macbook. I mostly do work on the go or at work with my Macbook Pro. I'd say about 75% of it is done on my Macbook Pro.

I'd also like to get my MBP hooked up to a Time Machine to backup my 320GB OS Drive.

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I'm open to any solution really, even if it means selling the Drobo (Non-Firewire 800) and buying something else. I'm doing this for the long run.

Thanks again in advance for anyone help.

 

[chrismacguy]

The most obvious solution is a Time Capsule, but I dont know if the 1TB version is big enough, and use it alongside the Mac (For Time Machine) and access the Drobo as a shared drive on the PC through the network for Movies, and Music.

 

[TheSandman2236]

The most obvious solution is a Time Capsule, but I dont know if the 1TB version is big enough, and use it alongside the Mac (For Time Machine) and access the Drobo as a shared drive on the PC through the network for Movies, and Music.

That might work -- 1TB is more than enough storage for my Macbook Pro considering I only have ~320GB's of data on it. And you're saying hook up the drobo to the Time Capule via USB?

 

[alphaod]

<snip>

I have my Drobo connected to a desktop that is on 24/7 and then it is shared over the network. I also have a shell script that keeps the Drobo from spinning down, so I can always access it.

 

[TheSandman2236]

I have my Drobo connected to a desktop that is on 24/7 and then it is shared over the network. I also have a shell script that keeps the Drobo from spinning down, so I can always access it.

Just over an SMB share? What about for Time Machine Backup's? Can you possibly send me over that script?(If it will work on a windows machine)
I really appreciate your help.

 

[rgarjr]

For Time Machine you may need the drives to be in HFS format.

I built myself a mini server with 2 1.5TB hard drives that I have running 24/7. Was very fun to do and comes in handy when using uTorrent.

I also have iTunes running on there all the time, so that I can stream my music to my Airport Express and hear it on my stereo.

 

[Steeph28]

You should just go all out.

 

[TheSandman2236]

For Time Machine you may need the drives to be in HFS format.

I built myself a mini server with 2 1.5TB hard drives that I have running 24/7. Was very fun to do and comes in handy when using uTorrent.

I also have iTunes running on there all the time, so that I can stream my music to my Airport Express and hear it on my stereo.

But what about PC support?

 

[bugout]

I use an HP EX485 windows home server with 4 2TB hard drives. There have been some deals lately where you can find them for less then $500. Just add your own drives.

I keep utorrent running on it and it backs up all the macs in the house.

It's fully mac & pc compatible, including time machine. I have a mini with plex in 2 rooms in the house and all movies/pics/music run off of it. Works like a charm.