Need some decent storage

Vulture

Not sure if this is the correct forum if not i apoligise in advance.
I'm looking for a way to increase the amount of storage i have, currently i have about 2 terabytes of HD (2*120 gig, 3*200 gig and 3*400 gig) but i'm almost out of free space. I'm just wondering if their is another option to just buying more hard drives. As it is i cant fit them all in the same case as my power supply would just fall over. PS not raided, mix of ATA and SATA(The 400gig are SATA)

What i'm thought of so far.
1)Make a low spec computer with a big power supply to hold drives and use it like a file server. I suppose it would be just a server. But this seems messy and will just be more noise. Plus the cost of building another computer just seems like a waste.

2)Tape back up is just out of the question as it's nearly as expensive as more hard drives, but is slower and akward.

What i want idealy is (budget 1000 euro)
Have a self contained unit that connects via ethernet/USB/Firewire to my main computer. This unit will have enough storage to take at least 1 Terabyte of my data and store in is a raid config so it's safe from at least a single hard drive failure. The unit would ideally be quiet.

If anyone got any ideas or suggestions i'd be more than happy to hear them as i cant find anything that suits my needs.

Ponster

What about this?

Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition 1TB RAID 0/RAID 1 16MB 7200RPM

Product Description Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition - hard drive array
Device Type Hard drive array
Interface FireWire, FireWire 800, Hi-Speed USB
Dimensions (WxDxH) 9.8 cm x 21.7 cm x 13.6 cm
Weight 2.6 kg
Total Array Capacity 1 TB
Installed Devices / Modules Qty 2 (installed) / 2 (max)
Storage Controller RAID
Supported Devices Hard drive
Hard Drive 2 x 500 GB standard



http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=314941&cks=PRL

SouperComputer

On option 1, an early P3 would be more than sufficient. Grab an old board\CPU , throw some IDE\SATA adaptors on it and you are flyin'.

Ponster

As SouperComputer said, a P3 would be fine with a GFX card w/o a fan and you'd have your silent (almost!) system.

Vadrefjorde

What about one of Netgears storage control boxes which connects via ethernet. Bang 2 x 400GB HDDs in one of them. They're about £60 on overclockers at the mo.

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/SC101.php

Vulture

The Maxtor and Netgear storage boxes only hold 2 drives each, if one goes their goes the data. The P3 computer with fanless GFX card sounds the best so far. Unfortunatly getting my hands on a P3 could be slightly tricky their none really avaible to buy any more. A AMD Sempron is the cheapest i can see on komplett. I could put together a really low spec computer for around 300. Might be the best bet after all. Get a nice raid controller like http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=308459&cks=PRL
though that will set me back alot before i even get the drives. I think i may end up going over budget that way.

Well i'll try putting a cheap computer together on komplett and see what it comes to. I was also thinking of making a media machine to leave beside the tv for ease of use.The Maxtor and Netgear storage boxes only hold 2 drives each, if one goes their goes the data. The P3 computer with fanless GFX card sounds the best so far. Unfortunatly getting my hands on a P3 could be slightly tricky their none really avaible to buy any more. A AMD Sempron is the cheapest i can see on komplett. I could put together a really low spec computer for around 300. Might be the best bet after all. Get a nice raid controller like http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=308459&cks=PRL
though that will set me back alot before i even get the drives. I think i may end up going over budget that way.

Well i'll try putting a cheap computer together on komplett and see what it comes to. I was also thinking of making a media machine to leave beside the tv for ease of use. The wireless transmitter i have is kinda annoying to set up every time. If i put a TV out card in the low spec machine i can kill 2 birds with one stone. Thanks for the help so far.

Ponster

Available on the FS board....

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=452

PIII 933 mhz,
128mb ram,
40gb HD,
cd/dvd rom,
floppy,
zip drive,
graphics card,
17" monitor,
win 98 2nd edition,
Printer,
PWO,
clean machine

250 euro

Stephen

Bit pricey for what you get though.

Vulture

Bit pricy i suppose but i'll keep a eye on that forum and i'm sure i'll pick up something decent for a good price soon enough. Thanks for all the help.

SouperComputer

All you need is a mobo, CPU and RAM.

I have a PIII 500 and Mobo you can have for 20e.

Grab a couple of sticks of ram (256 should be enough) off boards or ebay. Run clarkconnect as an OS. Couple of HD controllers and you are flyin.

The most important thing is a good case with good ventilation for your HDs. Low RPM 120MM fans to keep good airflow without making a racket.

Of course you could use a conventional case and throw the HD's in the 5.25" bays with adaptors.