Question Configuring old PC for local network storage

[medvesajtification]

Hi!

I have an unused PC at work that I would like to turn into a local storage system for backing up files regularly (like once a week) from multiple computers on the local network. My biggest problem is that I don't want it to be always on, but turn on automatically when backing up or accessing files from it, otherwise shut off or hybernating.
Is this even possible?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nigelivey]

WOL (Wake on Lan) can normally be configured in the Bios. Whilst this might save you buying a NAS, depending on the system it's a power hungry way for storage.

 

[medvesajtification]

I’ve used WOL before but can I set it so that the backup software sends the packet automatically whenever there is file transfer? I don’t want to do it manually every time.

 

[bill001g]

You are pretty much talking a custom app.

What I would do is look at all the low power setting the storage computer has. Many turn off parts of the machine like the disk drive and reduce the clock on other things. If you were to measure the power being used by a machine in WoL mode compared to one in these power save modes it tends to not be a huge amount of difference. The low power stuff just ramps the machine speed back up when it needs to be used.

Comparing the hassle of setting up a WoL to the extra electricity costs I am not sure it is worth the effort.

 

[gggplaya]

Microsoft has a built in TASK SCHEDULER that you can use. It can be set to specific times to wake the PC from sleep to perform a task, such as a system backup.