External Hard drive

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Soobygirl

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#25472 22-Aug-2008 11:22

Hopefully someone will be able to help me...

I've decided to invest in an external hard drive, and on exploring options discovered the Maxtor Shard Storage II 500GB baby NAS.
Now I like the idea of being able to network it, as my computer is a laptop and not usually in one place and I wouldn't have to move the hard drive around and I can hook up my printer that isn't currently networked.
I have read that the Maxtor can't be connected directly to the computer, is that correct? If so, is there an external hard drive that is network cabable (preferably wireless, since my network is mainly wireless and will be completely once I move house..), can be connected directly to a laptop and has the option for a printer to be connected to it for about the same cost (could go up a little more maybe..)? (I hope that all made sense)

Thanks in advance.

Dratsab

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#158947 22-Aug-2008 13:21

Sounds like the NetGear ReadyNAS Duo would be fairly close to what you're after. You can check it out here, or read a review of it here.

It will operate fine on a wireless network and you can plug in USB cameras, printers or another HDD. Only thing that would be missing for you would be direct computer access.

If you need that direct access for when you travel, possibly you could buy a USB HDD to attach to the NAS as a mirror (thus giving yourself data backup and redundancy in case of failure), and take it away with you when you travel.

Also, welcome to Geekzone!

spk18

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#158974 22-Aug-2008 15:11

I have a Qnap TS109PRO and it is outstanding (from memory it got 9/10 in NZ PC World or something) - I asked Ascent about NAS drives some time ago and they steered me away from the Maxtor drive you suggested for its unreliability (apparently, though I cannot confirm that this is the case). Mine is hardwired of course, as I stream video from it to my PS3 so I dont want dropouts that are common with wireless. As the other reply suggests, there are several good wireless options if you are so inclined. I went with the Qnap because of all the other optional extras included with it, including bit torrent capabilities, itunes server and multimedia capabiltiies (I can connect to it via my PSP/PS3 from any hotspot for example).

Soobygirl

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#162394 5-Sep-2008 10:09

Thanks for your suggestions. I still don't know what to go for...

garvani

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#162415 5-Sep-2008 11:09

Ive ordered a dlink dns-313 single bay nas, you install your own sata hd into it. It runs on a network, has itunes and samba server etc, firmware is fully hackable and you can use plugins to add bit torrent download clients to the nas box among other things.. You also can access your data by usb (usb port can also be used as a printer server). Now i just have to wait for dove to get some stock.....

Soobygirl

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#162434 5-Sep-2008 11:55

Thanks, this might just do. The only thing it doesn't have is the wireless, but I can live with that I guess.

jonherries

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#167102 25-Sep-2008 16:35

I am going through the process of setting up a file server/nas/box and am using an old amd machine with a mix of hardrives. All it has cost me so far is a long ethernet cable (to the garage) and a bit of time to set up freenas. I have pillaged old hardrives and this matches in size my portable usb harddrive, ie. it functions as a back up.

All I need is the ability to sync these together...

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Soobygirl

20 posts

Geek

#169407 6-Oct-2008 20:49

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Due to a change of plans (off on my OE soon... finally), I've decided now to just go for a standard USB external hard drive.
But I'll be sure to remember if I need a NAS once I'm settled overseas!