A file server (terabyte network station) for 2 computers to use.?

Question

Hi, I would like to either create or buy (whichever is the cheaper way) a file server that can hold at least 1.5 terabytes of data and it can be used by at least two computers. What is the best way to go about it?

I read about setting it up using RAID 5 on Windows XP and Linux (but not on anything relating to Windows 2000 or 2003), i also saw Buffalo Technology's Terabyte Station, but I don't know if two computers can access it at the same time.

Answer 1

Without a link to the Buffalo Technology Terabyte Station setup, I'll have to assume that there aren't multiple products out there using that name and I'll base my response off the link below. The device is listed as Network Attached Storage (NAS) and will work between multiple computers over a network as long as the protocols you want to use are included. Most of the devices available today will share use Common Internet File System (CIFS) (or it might be listed as Small Message Block, SMB, but Microsoft changed the term to CIFS a while back). If you are using MS Windows clients, this is all you need. If you intend to work with Network File System (NFS) (UNIX and Linux based clients), ensure that the device supports exporting shares in that protocol.

Oh, don't forget to factor in some sort of backup strategy for your system. RAID5 will protect you from a disk failure but if a user deletes the file, you will be out of luck without a backup.

Depending on your particular need, if you require high performance access with the device or for the storage to be directly accessible as though it were a local device on the client systems, you might want to consider Storage Area Network (SAN). This would be a bit more expensive but would get you some performance gains if needed.

Answer 2

Use a Linux type. they're relatively mild-weight and maximum help ninety% of gadgets accessible as we communicate. And if there is not any longer a driving force with it, extra then possibly you will stumble on one. crimson Hat seems to be an relatively stable Linux version in case you question me. you may set it up as a server or the rest you will possibly choose for to. This additionally enables you out in the money branch additionally simply by fact it relatively is a unfastened OS. you do no longer might desire to shell out houndreds for a abode windows license.