Multiple Hard Drives

[smb3]

Hi,

I have many external hard drives at home (about 3 3.5" and single 2.5"). The problem is that they use up too many plugs and ports. Is there a way to have a single device that can handle all the hard drives? Like a rack that can hot swap drives?

 

[TopCa7]

Something like this?
http://www.icydock.com/product/mb561us-4s-1.html

Or maybe a usb hub for all them cables

I myself have 5 odd hdds on a shelf and just use a Toaster

 

[LazyLion]

Yes, but they are hellishly expensive. Just buy a cheap motherboard and build yourself a server.

 

[Boomstomp]

Hi

Try getting the Vantec NexStar Universal Storage Adapter. converts ANYthing into a usb drive hotswoppable too. and even takes memory sticks.

works like a charm! one of my best buys recently

http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/view_detail/393

EDIT: was about R300, 1 week ordering time

 

[chrismine]

Built yourself a NAS box using an old PC and load Freenas - http://freenas.org/freenas

 

[LancelotSA]

Yes, but they are hellishly expensive. Just buy a cheap motherboard and build yourself a server.

Built yourself a NAS box using an old PC and load Freenas - http://freenas.org/freenas

Can someone explain this in a little more details or point us in the direction fo something that does. I have an old computer I was about to turf and also have a number of external drives.

 

[ponder]

+1 to the NAS box idea.

 

[smb3]

I saw the icydock rack ... but that's a bit too pricey

i like the toaster too ... kinda reminds me of 8-bit days with hard drives as cartridges ... lol

the universal storage adapter doesn't allow for more than single hard drive unfortunately ... but it is a neat device

the nasboxidea is a bit too far stretched for me ... although i do have an older pc at home ... so may be worth the effort

 

[LFX]

http://www.drobo.com/

im getting 1 asap! (abroad though cos it costs double here, just like everything else)

 

[ponder]

http://www.drobo.com/

im getting 1 asap! (abroad though cos it costs double here, just like everything else)

Uses Linux therefore it's kuk

 

[Neo_X]

I was looking into another solution a while ago. Unfortunately don't have a machine spare to test it with.
UnRAID
Its a Linux based OS, configurable via web interface. Once everything is setup, you should be able to access your data via LAN.

Provides RAID protection, at a very cheap price(<R900). (keep in mind that setting up a hardware raid solution capable of the same protection will cost >R5k. they do sell fully configured boxes including drives, but rather buy a registration key.

would recommend to build your own pc, then download the trial ( it basically boots via USB). Should prove it its working. Nice way to protect your data at the same time. If you want to grow to more than 3 drives, just buy an upgrade key for the USB.

 

[LazyLion]