Using external USB (preferably 3.0) HDD, for web serving?

[VirtualLarry]

Is that a good idea? Are there any good USB 3.0 external HDDs that don't spindown?

I have FIOS, upgraded to 50/25 (really, 58/33), and I would like to host my own files / images. I used to do that on an old IDE gigabit NAS, but it died. My current NAS (Seagate) has "cloud" remote-access features, but no easy way to just host web content.

My HTPC is connected to the FIOS through a wired router, but it has a small case, and there is a small SSD in the 3.5" HDD bay. So not easy to replace with bigger HDD, so I was planning on going external.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

It shouldn't sleep over USB as long as you use a HDD that doesn't auto-sleep (avoid green or ECO drives). That being said, Many of those HDD's get pretty warm in those enclosures, so if you want to run an external HDD 24x7, get a well-built external enclosure.