Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage (
More info?)
"Aloke Prasad" <aprasad123@columbus.rr.invalid> wrote in message
news:GVjSd.48290$i42.43779@fe1.columbus.rr.com...
>
> "Gary L." <nospam@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:ihsi11p3jsbm8mbi4igj9feo0cgld7abon@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 21:01:53 GMT, "Aloke Prasad"
>> <aprasad123@columbus.rr.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>>Maxtor has 200 and 300 GB drives that hang off a home network router/switch,
>>>providing shared storage for all PC's on a LAN. Additional storage or
>>>printer can be attached to the drive (via USB) and be shared as well.
>>>
>>>http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor/en_us/documentation/data_sheets/mss_datasheet.pdf
>>>
>
>>>Alternatively, I have a spare P-II 233 MHz PC with 256 MB RAM (Intel AL440LX
>>>motherboard) that I can set up as a Win2000Pro system and attach the shared
>>>drives off of that. However,the I/O susbsystem on that system is very very
>>>slow ...
>>>
>>>What do you suggest?
>>
>> I have to disagree with the other comments in this thread. I prefer
>> using a separate old system as a server rather than a small NAS unit
>> for file storage and backup. After trying the NAS device and not being
>> completely pleased with risking my data on a single drive, I set up an
>> older system use as a server. I think it is a better alternative.
>>
>> I picked up a Promise PATA RAID card and installed it in the old
>> system with a couple of inexpensive disks in RAID 1. I also added a
>> DVD writer and use that to make a backup of critical data for off-site
>> storage. Neither RAID 1 nor an optical backup drive are available with
>> the little NAS device. I have an LCD monitor with two inputs, so I
>> don't need a separate monitor for the server. I have my old HP
>> LaserJet hooked up to the parallel port and it is available to all the
>> systems on the network. To complete the package, I have an old IBM
>> keyboard with a built-in TrackPoint to use with the server so no desk
>> space is required and no troublesome KVM switch is required.
>>
>> I had one disk fail on the server after using it for about three weeks
>> (it was a Maxtor, after all). I exchanged the defective drive and
>> restored the mirrored pair with no hassle at all, and I used the
>> system with one drive while waiting for the replacement. If this
>> happened to the NAS device, I would have been without the network
>> storage while waiting for the replacement, and may have lost data if I
>> did not frequently back up.
>>
>> However, my spare system was somewhat higher spec than yours: Celeron
>> "Tualatin" 1.2 GHz, 512 MB RAM, Intel 815 main board. I also had the
>> pair of identical Maxtor drives available, as well as a hard drive
>> cooler that fits in two 5 1/4 bays and has an 80 mm fan that blows
>> directly on the drives (left over from a RAID 0 experiment a while
>> back). So my only extra costs were the RAID card and the DVD writer.
>> But if you're paying $350 for the NAS device, and you have a
>> serviceable older system, then that $350 will cover the most of the
>> cost of a setting up a simple server with the added protection of RAID
>> 1 and off-site backup.
> Which NAS device did you try?
> I too am uncomfortable with the lack of access to the NAS data without a
> functioning network setup (say my router/switch went on the blink .. I would
> be without access to the NAs until I reconfigured my system.
That particular risk is trivial to allow for by just having a spare hub/switch
on hand. Much cheaper to do it that way than limiting your choice of NAS
devices by requiring the USB option just below.
> I wish the NAS device could function like a simple external USB drive when
> needed (through a physical switch on the drive, maybe?)
> How does NAS handle dynamic IP's handed out by the DHCP server on the
> router/switch? There doesn't seem to be any way to assign fixed IP address to
> it.
Varys with the NAS device.
> My P-II 233 has a REALLY slow disk I/O. I will have to buy the RAID card and
> the identical drives
Nope, you'll be limited by the 100/10 lan speed.
> and the DVD burner to duplicate your setup.
That might be a problem, the PC might be a bit slow for that.
> I have a lic. Win2000 Pro. Cost wise, the NAS will be about 1/2 the cost..
Yeah, but with less capability backup wise particularly.
> I have an external USB Maxtor drive that I use for Ghost imaging as backup. I
> suppose I could do that to the RAID server ...
Or just duplicate the NAS device.
> What's with the scares about Maxtor? Are they really that bad?
They're currently the worst drives buyable in my opinion.
Particularly when used in those very small external cases.
> Maybe I should transfer the archived Ghost images on it to DVD !!!!
Yeah, I'd certainly do that with the stuff you'll slash your
wrists if you lose, not necessarily with the entire image tho.
But then I do that with any drive, not just maxtors.
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