Ok people here we go..... What's the cheapest way to create network storage. Think BIG and expandable!! I'm thinking along the lines of storing all my DVD's on hard disks. I'm thinking of building a cheap computer that will run winxp (sorry but i'm not enough of a unix guru to do anything else) and stick as many didks as I can into it. Assuming it has 4 PCI slots, I could get 4 IDE cards + the two IDE slots on the m/board. That must equate to quite a number of disks. I've not built a comp in years so not sure about the new technologies available. With more and more disks I'm now thinking heat and power might start to be a problem. Wow that sucker is sure to get hot and draw a few amps!!!! Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm sure someone already has this?
Depends on how much money you want to spend. Your suggested setup would require maybe 4-5 PSUs, plus another tower to hold all those drives. Heat wouuld be a big issue, along with stability of winXp with that many drives. Your best bet would be a NAS. Here is a 2TB example. http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=926389 NAS is probably the best solution for you, albeit not the cheapest. ~Rich
Thanks for that. I might have to wait a while as thats way too much to spend and you might be right of the stability issues. Back to the drawing board me thinks
If you already have all the parts laying around, it wont hurt to give it a go. It would be a fun afternoon project. So get to work!!! lol Have some fun with it. At least you will know if it would work or not. ~Rich
I probably would have had a few years ago. Getting on a bit now and all that stuff goes straight in the bin. Ah well, looks like i'm back to my scrounging days. Oh to be a student once more
