[Closed] Data/Mp3 Storage thoughts

2.5s overheating? How hot is your house?!

long term(ish)without cooling they drop like flies, I'd rather avoid that.

If you've got both PCs networked ( via a router ) a network attached HD would be a good way of keeping a master copy of your data.

Just remember to back the files up to at least one of your machines on a regular basis.

any specific recommendation though for a NAS/NAT device?

I've got an Icybox NAS drive plugged into my router and it's pretty good, very pleased with it.
http://www.raidsonic.de/en/pages/products/external_cases.php?we_objectID=5052

It has a built in iTunes server. Turn it on and iTunes on any connected machine automatically finds the shared library.

It more too, there are packages for FTP, webserver, torrents, radio stream ripping (record radio to MP3).

You'll need a hard drive or two for it - check the compatibility as there are some issues.
http://en.nas-4220.org/index.php/Main_Page

I find it a good low power alternative to a server and more flexible than a dedicated external drive.

Main drawback is that while it has gigabit LAN, the processor is the bottleneck so expect 20MB/s instead of 100/1000.

If you've got more money, the Qnap TS-119 or 219 is much faster.

[i]If you've got more money, the Qnap TS-119 or 219 is much faster. [/i]
- eek, think I can live with the lower spec speed and spend the rest on the bike.

Ive got same as gravity-slave - an ICYBOX NAS.

Served to both Mrs S and I over the router.
Had some problems with the default ip mask so had to go to xxx.xxx.2.xxx to get it to work which is a pain though.

Works well, not very fast over ethernet unfortunately (fine for streeming not great for massive file copies)

I think its faster over USB for some reason (and it can do both).

Reasonably quiet with 3x fan settings (hi, lo, off) never had any temp problems.

To give an idea of real world speed of the Icybox, I copy DVD's onto there (the entire Video_TS folder) and play back over the network.

The NAS drive can keep up, streaming the DVD folder to 3 different machines at the same time.

It's great as a simple fileserver or back end to a media system. One reason I picked it is that I can chuck it in the cellar and keep the living room clutter free and quiet.

Large file transfers as slow. Copying on to the drive takes a while. One option is to use the one click USB backup system to dump data onto it.

Is it relatively simple to setup a home network / itunes hub with one of these boxes? I'd have it connected to:

1 xp pc
1 vista pc
1 linux pc

im sure ive seen network hard drives that have a basic mp3 playing functionality on them, so you can plug them into an aux input on a stereo, and even with the rest of the network off, play the music off the drive.

cooool.

my iomega 1TB HDD doesnt get hot, and when not turning over it seems to turn itself off altogether, the lights all go out and the power winds down until its asked to do something again.

my older External HDD was constantly turning over, even when not doing anything or even connected to a computer!

i will also be able to let you know how iomegas stand up to being left on a windowsill, with the window wide open, in the lashing rain, overnight, by tonight...

Is it relatively simple to setup a home network / itunes hub with one of these boxes?

It was really easy to set up the iTunes server. The hardest bit is setting up the samba shares, but the manual is pretty clear and if you have a linux box then that should be easy.

Install drive, go to web interface, format drive, set up shares.
Copy music into the /public/music/ folder then turn on the iTunes server.

Now all your machines running iTunes on the network can see your shared library.

Unfortunately you can only access linearly, I don't think you can use playlists.