need networkable external hard drive

[blueindian]

what's a good choice for an external hard drive that i can put directly on the network? i would prefer a solution that would allow me to upgrade capacity and set up RAID.

[shocky123]

I have never heard of an external drive that supports raid.

I 'put hard drives on the network' for my work, and these are all RAID'd arrays, but all the arrays are housed within additional computers, which is how they are presented to the network.

I dont know.. I cant honestly say I've ever heard of a "external drive" in the classical sense of external drives that supports raid-sets. You'd have to look into buy additionaly servers to host the drives, or somehow find a 'external raid controller', which I'm not sure exists.

~Kyle

[Jeffbx]

Sounds like you're looking for a NAS device - those a pretty pricey. What's your budget, and how much space do you need?

Here are a few entry level NAS RAID devices that might fit your needs:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=772774
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=915900
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=596753
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=504897

[Kudos]

I think you should get this:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/SC101.php

it seems it will mirror two harddrives

[blueindian]

I think you should get this:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/SC101.php

it seems it will mirror two harddrives

yup, that's what i was looking at. was wondering if there are any other similar devices.

jeffbx: i don't have a budget per se, since i don't know what is available. would need at least 200gig, but would like to be able to upgrade.

that netgear solution looks good.

[Kudos]

I was considering the netgear myself, since hooking up the external HD from computer to computer is a pain. But haven't funded the moneys yet

[blueindian]

look out, the netgear has crappy reviews

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B0009RML8S/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/002-6377454-3132002?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

[DarkFury]

Why not just build a "file server" from spare parts laying around the computer room?

I've considered doing it... but my main box has 2 power supplies and 6 hard drives in it which essentially does the same thing sharing files over the network.

Norton Ghost 9.0 does the rest (for the backup feature).

[blueindian]

Why not just build a "file server" from spare parts laying around the computer room?

I've considered doing it... but my main box has 2 power supplies and 6 hard drives in it which essentially does the same thing sharing files over the network.

Norton Ghost 9.0 does the rest (for the backup feature).

looking for something that does not need a monitor, uses less power, etc.

[DarkFury]

looking for something that does not need a monitor, uses less power, etc.
Well geez... you sure are askin' alot. :D


Besides, the monitor wouldn't be on all the time... and you could do an A/B switch with another computer that has a monitor to save on that if it were a problem.

[blueindian]

Well geez... you sure are askin' alot. :D


Besides, the monitor wouldn't be on all the time... and you could do an A/B switch with another computer that has a monitor to save on that if it were a problem.


yeah, but i can't stuff that in a closet out of the way.

[GilbertsGrape]

yeah, but i can't stuff that in a closet out of the way.
use remote desktop and remote in or use logmein.com
you dont even need a monitor.

[Jcranmer]

VNC does a good job too. I have ran a few headless file servers at home before. No need for a keybord, mouse or monitor unless something goes wrong.

[Jeffbx]

The Buffalo Teraserver might fit your needs, if you can squeeze it into your budget.

640GB for $650 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=772774)

Couple of reviews:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1780692,00.asp
http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/052305-test-buffalo.html

[blueindian]

The Buffalo Teraserver might fit your needs, if you can squeeze it into your budget.

640GB for $650 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=772774)

Couple of reviews:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1780692,00.asp
http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/052305-test-buffalo.html


bit pricey for me, anywhere to find them used?


VNC does a good job too. I have ran a few headless file servers at home before. No need for a keybord, mouse or monitor unless something goes wrong.


use remote desktop and remote in or use logmein.com
you dont even need a monitor.

yeah, that's what i do with my HTPC..remote desktop. no monitor, keyboard, etc.


just not what i want here.

[Jeffbx]

bit pricey for me, anywhere to find them used?


There are a few on ebay...