I want to add numerous SATA drives to a LAN.
8 would do, more would be good. This is by definition a 
"server" requirement but lacks most of the rigour associated 
with the term. Aspects such as backup, mirroring etc need 
not be addressed here.

"All that is required" is to be able to read and, less 
often, write files at "an acceptable speed". ie not stupidly 
slower than if on a typical PC. Application is mainly access 
to photos. Files are typically in the 1 MB-3MB range but 
there MAY be a  Quantum leap for new files to 10MB+ each. 
(RAW rather than JPG).

Drives are typically 300 GB range but newer one will be 500 
MB and maybe 1 TB soon. Optimum $/GB is about at 500 GB 
point. . (2TB are on the market but too dear yet)

Longer term this will probably become a more orderly 
arrangement of fewer larger drives.

QUESTION:

Best cheap way to do this?

Two obvious ways are

1     Several multi SIDE cards in 1 PC. Say 2 x or 3x  - 4 
drive cards.

2     Add USBS front ends to drives.

Option 2 is less certain and dearer.
Option 1 is liable to create more PSU hassles.

Any other good options?

Does anyone to an SIDE tower at a price that costs notably 
less per slot than the HDD that goes in it?
Anything of seen that takes NxSIDE makes the disk cost a 
minor part of the exercise.





        Russell


Just for information:    If using RAW at 10 MB+/photo. If eg 
a wedding takes 3000 photos all up that's 30 GB for one 
event. Requirements grow apace. Taking less photos may help 
:-). (Wedding can be pre-photos, hair stylists, bride 
preparing, limo to wedding, outside, wedding, outside again, 
guest greeting, formal groups, bridal group photos, 
reception and dancing till late, Numbers add up.

As this is NOT my 'day job' there aren't too many of these, 
but enough to need something better than at present.

1st recent China visit produced ~ 9000 photos.
2nd produced ~ 3000.

I don't want to go to RAW format but it seems it might be a 
good idea, alas.





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