Re: Media Server options

["Tony Butler" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I'm using a combination of a central server (a dual core shuttle box full
of 400gb drives) and an external Freecom Classic NAS drive.
The original plan was to put the NAS drive on the lan standalone, which
you can do with it's network port.
Unfortunately, if you have a mac in the house (now my main "pc"
when not
using my laptop) then you have to format it as FAT, which is a bit
wasteful of space and not very secure.
Instead, I just hung it off a USB2 port on the server, still as NTFS, and
I get all the security I want plus MAC access to it too.

downside to this device is the need to install client side software to
access it (if you install it on the lan) and aforementioned FAT issue in a
mixed environment.

PC Pro this month does a review of about 1/2 a dozen different NAS options
around the same sort of price points.  Can't remember which one came out
on top I'm afraid.

re: backup:  Yes and no.  Ripped DVD's - no, would take up too much space
and since I own the originals, I already effectively have a
"backup".
music, yes - although I also own the originals (unless it's legal
downloads), I have far too many CD's to re-rip if it all went titsup.com

It's all about balancing convenience vs cost ATEOTD....

cheers,

T.

> Hiyall,
> Has anyone thought about Network Attached Storage as an alternative? I
> know these boxes are 'dumb pc's with a load of storage space but I
would
> imaging less maintenance and no worrying about patches and god knows
> what else.
>
> I've found http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10647
that
> might fit the bill. (its expandable too!)
>
> I'm thinking about this storage thing myself, but each has +'s and
-'s.
>
> Big Server case loads of HD's, + all neat and in one box, - it can be
> big especially to hold all the disks, - os maintenance.
> Little Box with external HD's, + size (space is what I haven't got!),
-
> lots o little boxes, - again os maintenance.
> NAS box, + turnkey, power it and it works!, - tied into the NAS box os
-
> don't expect to run shoutcast on it!
>
> (oh does anyone actualy DO backups of their media stuff - to tape - or
> another hd??)
>
> or a hybrid beast - get a NAS box to hold the disks and manage that
> side, then add a small footprint server that can use the NAS storage
and
> be able to run all the other stuff.
> Mmm...
>
> Wayne.
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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