Networked storage

[Schmarvin]

Was thinking of going with networked storage for my main storage. And just use maybe one hard-drive or two redundant hard-drives for the computers. That way I can just add hard-drives to the server instead of each computer. Plus, it would make files and data more easily accessible. Opinions on this method?

[TechReid]

In my opinion networked storage is the way ahead, be sure to create a redudency of your main storage space as a backup i.e. RAID 1 etc. I'd recommend using FreeNAS as the OS for the box, as it does everything you need out of the box for free, it has webUI to control the whole box too!

[KOtech]

 Apple Airport Extreme and a 2tb HDD attached as a NAS.

 

[ACK]

You can use FreeNAS as TechTeid has pointed which is a simple NAS optimized OS. If although you are interested in more options you can always install a linux distro and then optimize it yourself for file sharing. Alternatively you can also use windows Home Server.

[VictorB]

A cheap solution is:

a simple used 64 bits dual core (which support usb boot) with 4gb mem and 8gb mem support. And gbit onboard or with a pci-e card. And 3x 2or3tb disk. + a usb stick.

You install nas4free on the usb stick and put the 3 disks in raidz1 so with 3x 2tb disk you get a array of 4tb and 1 disk can fail. So no expensive raid card because ZFS will do the raid.

Thes cost will be 100 euro/dollar for an used desktop computer. and 3 new disks 200 to 350 euro/dollar. You don´t have to buy a license because nas4free is free software. and you don't need to buy a expensive raid controller. You can always put more money in the system if you need more space or want a new setup :)

[Schmarvin]

In my opinion networked storage is the way ahead' date=' be sure to create a redudency of your main storage space as a backup i.e. RAID 1 etc. I'd recommend using FreeNAS as the OS for the box, as it does everything you need out of the box for free, it has webUI to control the whole box too![/quote']

I'll take a look into it. Was gonna try Windows Home Server.

I myself use Apple Airport Extreme and a 2tb HDD attached as a NAS. "It just works" :)

Apple products are over-priced crap. Sorry, personal opinion and experience.

You can use FreeNAS as TechTeid has pointed which is a simple NAS optimized OS. If although you are interested in more options you can always install a linux distro and then optimize it yourself for file sharing. Alternatively you can also use windows Home Server.

Thanks for your recommendation.

A cheap solution is: a simple used 64 bits dual core (which support usb boot) with 4gb mem and 8gb mem support. And gbit onboard or with a pci-e card. And 3x 2or3tb disk. + a usb stick. You install nas4free on the usb stick and put the 3 disks in raidz1 so with 3x 2tb disk you get a array of 4tb and 1 disk can fail. So no expensive raid card because ZFS will do the raid. Thes cost will be 100 euro/dollar for an used desktop computer. and 3 new disks 200 to 350 euro/dollar. You don´t have to buy a license because nas4free is free software. and you don't need to buy a expensive raid controller. You can always put more money in the system if you need more space or want a new setup :)

Thanks for the quick tip/tutorial. May or may not use FreeNas.