If you need a print server and external storage device.

[ND66]

Take a look at this

MAXTOR 320GB SHARED STORAGE II NAS - $119

Store and automatically backup the data on networked computers to one location

Simple user interface

Automatically configures to your network, easy setup of computers

Exclusive Maxtor SimpleViewTM backup and storage status for all users

Schedule backup to external hard drives for added data protection, off-site data backup rotation

Automatic data mirroring available in 1TB product

2 USB ports for connecting and sharing printers and additional hard drives

10/1001000 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port connection

Media server plays back digital photos, music and video to networked media/ entertainment systems without a computer having to be on

Access files from any networked PC, Mac or compatible networked media/entertainment system

Looks like a local drive on each configured computer

Share folders with either full access (public) or limited access (private)

Exclusive Drag and SortTM feature for automatic file organization

For Windows 2000, XP, Mediacenter and Mac OS/X 10.3 and above

[Gurm]

Take a look at this

MAXTOR 320GB SHARED STORAGE II NAS - $119

I have an external print server and storage device. It's called a Longhorn Domain Controller running SATA RAID.

[Jammrock]

Now that Windows Home Server is RTM you could switch to that, since it's less BETA than Longhorn.

[schmosef]

isn't windows home server just windows 2003 server r2 with more wizards (and i'd assume less enterprise features)?

[ND66]

I have an external print server and storage device. It's called a Longhorn Domain Controller running SATA RAID.

I was thinking of a cheap alternative to a PC.


For a home use, this is the simplest and cheapest way to share a printer and files without having the whole PC on. And certainly cheaper then a PC.


.

[gt40]

Nice, I'll have a serious look at that.

[schmosef]

@ND66, have you used one of these? What's the real network speed? The WD Worldbook speed, from what I've read, is terrible.

[Jammrock]

isn't windows home server just windows 2003 server r2 with more wizards (and i'd assume less enterprise features)?

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Edition, with a modified Windows Storage Server 2003 web interface to make it look more Vista/Longhorn, and some type of new RAID setup that sounds a lot like the way drobo works. I'm sure I'll play with it some day...

[ND66]

@ND66, have you used one of these? What's the real network speed? The WD Worldbook speed, from what I've read, is terrible.

Not sure about that, haven't seen any reviews yet.

But, it has the latest interface like SATA II, 7200 RPM, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0

Also it's design to work with UPnP AV devices, eliminating the need for Media Center PC. All of it for $120?! You get what you pay for, but I'm talking Home use here..... .

.

[Elie]

How about this..."Western Digital®
My Bookâ„¢ Pro Editionâ„¢ II
External Hard Drive 1 TB"???

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10299356&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|84|1333&N=4008631&Mo=68&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=1333&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&hierPath=84*1333*4298*&topnav=

I'm thinking of buying one today!

[schmosef]

i've got that exact model.

speed is fine.

the only problem is noise.

it's loud. very loud. very very loud.

did i mention that it's loud? it is.

[Tjalfe]

that drive is done with 2x500GB drives instead of 1x1TB drive.. no?

[Elie]

Loud really? they advertize it as a quiet solution, anyway, what I would do is offload all the files I have sitting on my audio/video drives taking up space to the 1TB then turn it off, store it somewhere until I need the files again.

That way I avoid the loudness that it will produce.

Otherwise how is it, does it have an Ethernet port?

Thanks,
Elie

[Elie]

that drive is done with 2x500GB drives instead of 1x1TB drive.. no?

Yes, that how it is, an internat raid solution I believe your system will see it as one drive.

Regards,
Elie

[schmosef]

Otherwise how is it, does it have an Ethernet port?

I have no complaints on performance.

There is no ethernet port. I have it hooked up via USB. My business partner has a similar model hooked up via FireWire and he says he gets better performance that way.

I own a 500GB 10/100Mbit ethernet version as well and the real speed is somewhere around 30-50Mb.

I was hoping that the new Gb Ethernet WorldBook models would be better but from what I've seen so far the reviews say that the network speed is still bad. That's why I was wondering about the Maxtor drive ND66 linked.