Hard Drive Full is it NAS I need?

[Page]

I was a bit surprised to find my hard drive full the other day.

Of course it is all those photos that I need which has rapidly swallowed it.

I run a desk top as a central document store that others have access to over the network.

I could add another drive to this but to me it seems easier and sensible to just add an external hard drive of some form. But there might be reasons not to.

The data on this drive needs to be accessible over the network so I assume that buying in a plug in usb that goes into the desktop pc is not the way to go about it ??

But then there are these things called Network Attached Drives - which I assume plug in direct into the network.

Is this what I need to buy. Are there any issues with them - for example I use acronis and Mozy to back up. Can anyone suggest a couple of models to look at.

Thanks

[FireFleur]

Well, you can open up your system to a LAN.

So, anything could be NAS, but of course the term is used to describe a storage device that has its own network capability, in effect a mini computer with NIC.

I am one of those type of people who buy separates, but if I can will put a computer system in. So, I would get a cheap computer and load it up with drives, and NICs then control it via the operating system, that gives more security options, and more options for the device.

But, if you just want a simple throw on the network for storage then a NAS is fine, they all come with different options and you just have to check your needs match the options it gives.

[Page]

What are NICs

[stugster]

NAS will be expensive.

NIC is the network card.

If you're happy attaching an external drive via USB you can use this machine: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150558 It'll appear in "My Computer" like a normal driev, just right click and sharing :)

[openmind]

They are the Ethernet cards that the LAN cable plugs into on your computer.

It might be better just to buy a USB storage device if you do not have a spare ethernet port like this:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=278766&CatId=0

[UKSEOAgency]

NIC = Network Interface Card

just what you plug your network into on your PC. if the PC is used as a file storage machine only, and your are capable - I would just put another hard disk in, a lot cheaper than a NAS device and just as effective with the added bonus you can add a security layer on top later on if you want.

[Page]

I am "capable" but never done it. Is it pretty easy then?

How long might it take - with the learning?

Will hard drive do or should I be ???

[Rags]

Computer Shopper have reviews of NAS devices here:

computershopper.co.uk/labs/247/network-storage/products (dot) html

(Just replace the (dot) with an actual dot)

[UKSEOAgency]

Page,

Its pretty easy - you can google for more details but the basics are:

Buy the hard drive (ensure its the correct type - IDE, SATA or SCSI (unlikely to be scsi on anything fairly recent) )

Open up the computer case - identify original hard drive

if IDE - make sure you select master/slave properly

screw hard drive into case - plug in the IDE/SATA cable

plug in the power cable, close up the case

Partition the hard disk as per your operating systems instructions. and format

unfortunately without more details - your going to have to use google to get the exact details, or post more info up on here and ill try and help

[DotNetWebs]

It of course depends on what you want to use it for but personally I think the benefits of NAS are well worth the extra cost [over adding storage to your desktop etc.].

Regards

Dotty

[Cromulent]

It of course depends on what you want to use it for but personally I think the benefits of NAS are well worth the extra cost [over adding storage to your desktop etc.].

Regards

Dotty

The trouble with a NAS is the loss of speed that comes with it (unless you have a GigE ethernet network).

[DotNetWebs]

...(unless you have a GigE ethernet network).

I do - I use one of these with 2x1T mirrored drives:

http://www.synology.com/enu/products/DS207+/index.php

This new model is even more impressive for speed (but a lot more expensive):

http://www.synology.com/enu/products/DS209+/index.php

Review here:

http://www.computershopper.co.uk/reviews/244080/synology-disk-station-ds209.html

Regards

Dotty

[ozbon]

Personally, I'd recommend the Western Digital MyBooks - particularly the World Edition (http://westerndigital.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=340) which should do what you're after. (at £260 for a 2Tb MyBook (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=578R&CategorySelectedId=11157&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11157,50473,405200000), they're decent value too)

I have one of these attached by ethernet cable to my wireless router/hub , and it just appears as a network drive.

It's not super-fast access (mainly limited by the speed of the wireless network) - but if I were on a wired network, it'd be much faster.

All the same, for sheer ease of set-up etc., they're heavily recommended.

[leemason]

NAS is pretty cheap these days. You can get good NAS devices for less that £100.00 and some less that about £50.00 (plus the cost of disks). Have a look at the Buffalo Linkstation Pro or Linkstation Duo. Both excellent and well made. Also look at the Linksys NSLU2. This can have external USB disks plugged into it and starts at about £45.00.

[Interconnect IT]

I prefer NASs that don't depend on client software - eg, the QNAPs, of which both James and I have 1TB editions.

Your biggest problem is making sure you have a good way of backing up all that lovely data, of course :-)

[leemason]

I prefer NASs that don't depend on client software - eg, the QNAPs, of which both James and I have 1TB editions.

Your biggest problem is making sure you have a good way of backing up all that lovely data, of course :-)

I would second that. Backup is king! The problem is that the more data you have (espcially photos) the more difficult it becomes.

[stugster]

Just buy one of these bad boys:


http://snarfd.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/laptop_bag.jpg

[Comspec]

You haven't really mentioned the capacity you are after tbh, and this will make a difference to your decision.

If you want about 250Gb NAS device, this will only cost about £50, a 500Gb approx £100. They are very simple to install, practically plug and play onto your network, with a little flaffing to map it out on the PC's as you require.

An internal HDD might cost you in the region of £65 for a 500Gb, and is easily installed. I am assuming you have XP as your OS, so it is easily configured/formatted. If this PC is used simply as a central document store, then this will be an easy solution.

You have Acronis and Mozy available, so backing up will be a dawdle. Tbh, I would not be too concerned whichever of the actual physical options you went for, your software will handle either with ease.

One thing about your NAS device, it will give the added advantage of being able to easily be taken offsite, giving you that little extra protection in the event of a complete disaster.

All of the above is assuming we are not talking about vast amounts of data, and you have no little peculiarities about your network that we are unaware of.

[CrispyUK]

Bear in mind that the Home version of Mozy cannot back up from network drives, you need to use a MozyPro Server licence to do this and then 50 cents/month/GB for the data storage.

You might already be using MozyPro in which case it's a fairly moot point (just change the desktop licence to a server licence) but if you're using MozyHome then it could add a considerable amount to your monthly backup cost if there's large volumes of data involved.

[Page]

Page,

Buy the hard drive (ensure its the correct type - IDE, SATA or SCSI (unlikely to be scsi on anything fairly recent) )



That is great and given me a feel for the process - thanks.

How would I do the identify bit for the type of drive wanted - do I just see what is already in there?


Back up I on on Mozy home so that may be a factor.

But I was thinking of just having the pictures on the NAS - if I do that - since that is where the bulk lies and it is a lot for Mozy to mess about with each night.

I could then back the pictures up to another external hard drive - and on it goes!

It has occured to me that I have a huge chunk of space taken up on the current hard drive by Acronis secure zone.
If I got rid of that does anyone know off the top of their head if acronis can back up to a HAS device for the secure zone. I assume it would be a MUCH slower process?

[Page]

Whoops just run into trouble due to no disc space - oh well there goes the next 2 hours sorting some space out :(

[Comspec]

How would I do the identify bit for the type of drive wanted - do I just see what is already in there?


Open the case of the PC, and see what type of cable is plugged in.

IDE should look like this....

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:CO-lqfqm1PiCGM:http://www.gshop.com.au/images/ide_133_cable.jpg

SATA should look like this....

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:Xh6t12rwBgOeOM:http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cooldrives/ultraflex-sata-cable-1.jpg

One thing though, if it is IDE, check how many devices are connected to the current IDE cable (your DVD drive may also be using it), as only 2 per cable. Follow the cable to where it plugs into the motherboard and check to see if there is another IDE port beside the one you are currently using.

If you find that you don't want to use Acronis, or your Mozy is only a personal edition, then download Cobian Backup v8 (http://www.educ.umu.se/%7Ecobian/cobianbackup.htm) (v8 is free, v9 is paid for), it will allow you to set scheduled backup routines, etc very easily, and I have used it with no problems on a NAS drive too.