Network-Ready External Hard Drive

[CrimsonChaos]

I'm assuming they make external hard-drives that you can plug (ethernet) right into your network's router (instead of a USB connection into another computer).

If so, what brand do you guys recommend? I see Seagate being thrown around a lot here. Are there any other brands that are noteworthy?

Also, what advantages/pitfalls should I be looking for when choosing one? I'm guessing warranty and price-per-GB are two major ones -- are there any others?

 

[wasserkool]

iomega has a whole line of network ready HDs

 

[deathwalker]

The are refered to as NAS devices...Network Added Storage. Yes commonly available...Buffalo Tech makes one along with other vendors....I had a Buffalo NAS , worked fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822155303

 

[WackyDan]

Be careful what you buy... Some network drives being sold out there require you to install a "client" to every machine you want to access it with..... and then only let one machine at a time access the network drive.

You can usually find reviews for the ones you are looking at.

I personally use the Linksys Network Storage Link _> http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellit...name=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

This way you get to pick the drives you want and can have mirroring of two drives.

 

[CrimsonChaos]

Thanks for the responses.

Well, I was wanting to buy it from a local store like BestBuy or CompUSA. Do you know which brands/models they might have that would be good?

Also, how do you know if it's one of those network drives that require you to install a Client and only allows access from one computer at a time? Is that called something, or is it indicated on the box somewhere in some other way?

 

[deathwalker]

Comp USA handles the Buffalo NAS device....It is real ez to use.
http://www.compusa.com/products/product...o.asp?product_code=50891807&pfp=SEARCH

 

[abc]

Originally posted by: WackyDan
Be careful what you buy... Some network drives being sold out there require you to install a "client" to every machine you want to access it with..... and then only let one machine at a time access the network drive.

You can usually find reviews for the ones you are looking at.

I personally use the Linksys Network Storage Link _> http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellit...name=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

This way you get to pick the drives you want and can have mirroring of two drives.

i believe the thing about this now 2? yr old device is you have to put in a empty HD and format it using their format... then copy your data in there... it doesn't use NTFS if that's important to you.

 

[abc]

looks like it does have ntfs support
http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=69

 

[randym431]

Can anyone with this tell me if it can be configured to be accessed remotely from another pc using the internet? Or is this just an in home/internal network device?

I want to be able to store and access some mp3's and pict files at home from work.