External HDD - multiple computers

[dave.81]

Is there a good external hard drive that can be connected to multiply pc's at once. Trying to smooth the problems in media studies and this seems to be a logical solution to space problems but would need a good HDD that can be connected to 2 pc's at once.

 

Any suggestions?

[ChrisH]

I would have thought you would be looking at a Network capable one really. Might not be too bad if you can connect it to the same switch as the computers.

[powdarrmonkey]

Yes, you're looking at a NAS. Something like a Buffalo Terastation would suit you fine.

[Lee_K_81]

Have a look at "the Drobo" or Buffalo TeraStation. 1TB model for around £329.

 

NAS would be a better solution that trying to link something via USB to the machines.

[dave.81]

Yeah i did think that but i know the issue we're having with transfering data over the network at the moment. Guess if it's plugged into the switch in the same room shouldn't be too much of a problem.

[dhicks]

Trying to smooth the problems in media studies and this seems to be a logical solution to space problems but would need a good HDD that can be connected to 2 pc's at once. Any suggestions?

 

If it's literally just two PCs you're trying to solve a problem for, you could always put a second (gigabit) ethernet card in each of them (£10 each?) and link them directly together.

 

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David Hicks

[Arthur]

Have a look at "the Drobo" or Buffalo TeraStation. 1TB model for around £329.

 

You either need to do what David mentioned above or get a NAS of some sort. However, don't get a Drobo. It's VERY slow (since it's USB) so would be terrible for media studies.

 

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/05/drobo-review/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/droboshare-drobo-nas-mini-review/

http://www.asitis.org/drobo-review

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/data_robotics_drobo

http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/1100

http://www.networkingaudiovideo.com/archives/2007/08/data_robotics_drobo_home_nas_s.php

Edited April 18, 2008 by Arthur

[iatkinson]

We had a Buffalo Terrastation in use for backing up overnight but found it couldn't handle the throughput, should be ok for media use though.

[tmcd35]

We have three Terrastation's here for overnight/weekly/termly backups. No probs so far

[dave.81]

Think i'll look at getting a 500G buffalo and put a decent gig switch in the room connect them all together and see how it goes. I had thought of the extra NIC but they are due a 3rd pc soon so would be very short term measure.

[Lee_K_81]

You either need to do what David mentioned above or get a NAS of some sort. However, don't get a Drobo. It's VERY slow (since it's USB) so would be terrible for media studies.

 

Drobo review - Engadget

DroboShare Drobo NAS mini-review - Engadget

Drobo Review | Matt Westgate

Data Robotics Drobo - nedwards - Maximum PC

JPG Magazine: Stories: My Precious: Drobo the little robot that can and does

Data Robotics Drobo Home NAS Server | Networking Audio Video - NetworkingAudioVideo.com

 

Thats one of the things that put me off it. There is, however, a network interface for it ( Data Robotics, Inc. | DroboShare ) and whilst it wouldnt really cope for an entire site, the load put on it by 2 PC's shouldnt be that great. My first choice though, would be a terastation, and as dhicks said you could put a second nic in each computer.

[dhicks]

I had thought of the extra NIC but they are due a 3rd pc soon so would be very short term measure.

 

Unless you used each PC as part of a distributed file system. I'm really going to have to look in to this properly...

 

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David Hicks