Hi, I am looking for some help/hints/guides on setting up my own storage solution. I would like to go for safe storage on 2 spacious hdds in raid 1 that automatically back up my OS drive in addition to being a dump for all my other files (music, videos, ...). I would also like to have access via an internet connection to my drives' content and be able to read/write from another computer and read from iphone if possible. I would also like to have the hdds in my full tower case since I have the space. I looked into personal clouds but I am not sure this is what I want. For a start, they seem to require application for its use with its custom explorer view. Also, from what I understand, they require an always on computer. I also stumbled upon the VPN solution which I misunderstand a bit. It seems to be a gateway to your home network from an internet address with encrypted data streams. This seems to also need an always on computer. There is also the remote desktop option. I need opinions of people with a little more knowledge than me, so my questions are the following : 1- Is there a solution that doesn't require an always on computer ? Maybe some way to power only the drives, chipset (or whatever part of the Mobo is needed for W/R) and ethernet adapter ? 2- Regarless of the computer being always on or not, what could be a good option to R/W files on local drives from any internet connection and do it in a secure manner ? 3- Is this option accessible from a browser or application ? Can this be accessed using a smart phone ? 4- Do you have a recommandation for a good reliable drive (2, 3 or 4 TB) that could be used for that purpose ? 5- Any other things I should be aware of ? Thanks in advance for the help. My rig : MSI MPower z77, Intel 3570K, XFX R7970 DD, GSkill 2x 4Gb @ 1600Mhz, Samsung 840 256 Gb, Some 600 Gb HDD, Corsair H80i, OCZ ZX1000, Azzo Solano 1000R

Looking for help on cloud storage solution

By Virgule
June 26, 2013 in Storage Devices

https://linustechtips.com/topic/29939-looking-for-help-on-cloud-storage-solution/

Go to solution Solved by Vitalius, June 26, 2013

I suggest setting up a FreeNAS box.

It has the functionality of being accessible anywhere in the world over the internet, if you set it up correctly (there are guides, it's very simple).

Lifehacker has a guide to get you started. The FreeNAS forums can get you the rest of the way.

I suggest the Seagate 4TB drive. I have it in my FreeNAS computer now. This computer must always be one but you can reboot/shutdown it via the web interface (so from anywhere at any time). It just can't be booted up.

"Maybe some way to power only the drives, chipset (or whatever part of the Mobo is needed for W/R) and ethernet adapter ?"

That's the entire computer. Seriously. Chipset = Motherboard = CPU (they work together). Drives + ethernet adapter is pretty much all of it. The PSU works to power it, and so is necessary obviously.

FreeNAS works directly from the web interface. You won't need a monitor, keyboard or mouse for managing it. At all.

It has file compression and encryption options.

Yes, it can be accessed with anything that can handle SSH, FTP, or any other form of those, which just about anything can handle them.

FreeNAS, using ZFS rather than UFS (ZFS has more features and is more reliable) needs a lot of RAM (minimum: 8GB).

Anything else you need to know, just ask.

Posted June 26, 2013

Yeah, will look into that eventually, when I get a working and stable setup. It would be awesome to play anything from videos, music, emulators, browser, ... on my TV. Now if they can only come up with working recent consoles emulators, the PC can prevail once and for all (if that wasn't already clear).

Oh, one thing I didn't mention. I run the emulator on my computer. I just run it from the HDD on the FreeNAS as if it's a HDD in my own computer. In other words, it's not running on the FreeNAS box, it's just "streaming" from it.

My bad. I need to be more specific.

Yes, it just wasn't clear because you didn't specify. :)

Yep, my bad.

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